Top 6 Protein Bars For Health & Performance
- bradleyhaag
- Dec 15, 2014
- 3 min read
Many times in my life I've been in a situation where eating "real food" just wasn't an option and I had to find a convenient bar to fuel my needs. Unfortunatley I've always found protein bars to be either A. Disgusting or B. Filled with "questionable" ingredients. The good news is over the last couple of years some new protein bars have come out that are much healthier and tastier. See my top 6 below (all of which are gluten free).
1. Protein Rise Bars
I was first introduced to these when they were featured on one of my favorite sporting goods websites called the clymb. One look at the ingredient list and I knew I would like them and after tasting them my prediction was confirmed. They are not only nutritious but also delicious. I still can’t get over the fact that there protein bar only has 3 ingredients (almonds, honey, and whey protein isolate). I actually contacted rise bar to tell them how big of fan I was and they actually featured me on there side and sent me two boxes of there new vegan protein bars, before they were released a few months back. Grab some HERE.
PROS:
Very little ingredients (3 for the protein bars)
Balanced macronutrients
Excellent taste
Awesome new company
CONS:
Only available in certain health food stores and online
Slightly expensive (over $2 a bar)
They vegan ones are slightly dry (but that’s just my taste)
2. ALT LARABAR
I had to include these in the list simply because they are available at almost every grocery store and airport convenience store, making them easy to grab in a pinch. Although these don’t have as much protein as other bars on this list, they do have a good amount (10g) and have all natural ingredients. Grab some HERE.
PROS:
All natural ingredients
Available almost everywhere
Balanced macronutrients
Cheap (Less than $1 in most places)
CONS:
Fairly high in sugar (most have around 20g of sugar)
ALT Bars contain sunflower oil which is predominantly a (flamatory) omega 6 fatty acid.
Again, this is just my taste but it tastes like you're eating a giant dry flavored raisin.
3. Onnit Bars
Full disclosure, I love everything from Onnit.com including there protein bars. The Onnit Hemp FORCE bar is made up mostly of healthy fats (chia seeds, coconut, pumpkin seeds, etc.) making them very healthy. Check them out HERE.
PROS:
Good amount of healthy fats
Very high quality ingredients
Filled with micronutirents
Balanced macronutrients
CONS:
Only available online
Slightly expensive (over $2 a bar)
Interesting taste, very different than most bars.
4. Strong & Kind Bars
Just like LARABAR’s Kind bars are available in almost every grocery store. Unlike LARABAR’s however, Kind bars are made up almost entirely of nuts and seeds adding a good hunk of healthy fat as well. Additionally the bold flavors like hickory smoked and honey mustard provide a much more appetizing flavor when you're craving something savory and not sweet. Try them out HERE.
PROS:
All natural ingredients
Available almost everywhere
Savory flavor
Cheap (Around a $1 in most places)
CONS:
Wouldn't recommend eating more than 1-2 a day due to the fact they are mostly nuts, would shouldn't be consumed in excess.
5. Epic Bars
Of all the bars on the list Epic Bars are by the healthiest, most nutritious option. Definitely not vegan has the bar is almost entirely meat. That being said EPIC bars are made from 100% grass fed animals. Order some HERE.
PROS:
Organic and made from grass fed animals
Delicious
Paleo friendly
Awesome small business
CONS:
Expensive (almost 3$ a bar)
Only available in certain health food stores and online.
Fairly small, granted I have a big mouth, It takes me 3 bites to finish one.
6. Quest Bars
Cinnamon Roll, Chocolate Peanut Butter, Coconut Cashew, Banana Nut Muffin, Lemon Cream Pie, Strawberry Cheesecake, need I say more? This list wouldn’t be complete without the delicious quest bars. These come jam packed with 20 grams of protein and only 3 net carbs (meaning, excluding fiber). Try some HERE.
PROS:
Super high in protein
Low in “net” carbs
Delicious flavors
Increasingly available in most places
CONS:
Some of the flavors contain the artifical sweenter Sucralose, which can be damaging to health.
If you have any digestive problems the high amount Oligosaccharides (Prebiotic Fiber) can be a problem. Especially if you have trouble with FODMAPS.
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