How to Choose a Healthy Protein Bar, Plus 9 Dietitian-Approved Picks
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."
It's Monday morning, and you've hit the snooze one too many times. There's no time to make breakfast (or even throw together a bowl of cereal , for that matter), so you grab a protein bar to go. Protein's important, so it's a good choice to hold you over until lunch, right?
Truth is, not all bars are created equal. And though protein bars are handy as a portable snack between meals or a meal replacement, there are certain things to look out for when selecting a bar, says Keri Gans, M.S., R.D.N., C.D.N. , author of The Small Change Diet . First, she says to keep an eye on the calorie count of protein bars, which range from 150 to 400 calories, depending on the variety.
Additionally, check out the nutrition label to ensure the bar isn't packed with sugar and the ingredient list is full of whole foods. "Protein bars can be a great snack , but some of them are very high in sugar and low in nutrient density," says Mascha Davis, M.P.H., R.D.N. , founder of Nomadista Nutrition. It can be tricky to find one that checks all the boxes for you, which is why we've compiled the best, expert-approved picks.
There are an overwhelming number of protein bars on the market, so we've asked the pros to recommend their favorites, and contributed a few of our own. Here are the best protein bars you can try, when to eat them, and why you'll love them.
The Best Protein Bars
-
Best Pre-Meal Snack: Zing Bars
-
Best for Travelers: Kind Protein Bars
-
Best for Sugar Cravings: Quest Nutrition Mini Protein Bars
-
Best for Cardio: Clif Bar Protein Energy Bars
-
Best for Building Muscle: One Protein Bars
How we chose the best protein bars
Our team consulted Keri Gans, M.S., R.D.N., C.D.N. , author of The Small Change Diet ; Mascha Davis, M.P.H., R.D.N. , founder of Nomadista Nutrition; Karen Ansel, M.S., R.D.N., C.D.N., author of Healing Superfoods For Anti-Aging ; and Heather Mangieri, R.D.N., C.S.S.D . We also conducted our own testing and evaluated customer reviews, ratings, and product specs to narrow down the best protein bars for various needs and preferences.
Full Reviews
1) Zing Protein Bars (12-pack)
Need something to hold you over during the afternoon slump? These bars are created by dietitians, meaning they're full of whole ingredients, like almond butter, dark chocolate , and fruits. Plus, they are high in protein and fiber, which will help you stay full between meals. They're also great for snackers because they come in satisfying flavors like dark chocolate mint and chocolate mocha, says Davis.
- Made with whole ingredients
- Several flavor options
- Created by dieticians
- Relatively pricey for 12 pack
2) Kind Double Dark Chocolate Protein Bars (12-pack)
Choosing healthy snacks can be tough when you're on the go, but no matter where you end up, you'll probably find a Kind bar as an option. Dietitians recommend this as a great snack to pick up while traveling, especially if you are looking to avoid junk food while still eating something that tastes good. The texture is pleasing, since Kind bars are made of mostly nuts and seeds. They also come in plenty of sweet and savory options, have around 12 grams of protein, and typically pack less than 10 grams of sugar—ideal for a pick-me-up.
- Great texture
- Available in sweet and savory flavors
- Gluten-free
- Can get stale quickly
3) Quest Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Protein Bars (14-pack)
It can be challenging to find a protein bar that satisfies your sweet tooth ( and hunger ) without a crazy amount of added sugar and chalky aftertaste. That's why Quest Bars are a great pick: They come in some childhood favorite flavors like birthday cake, chocolate chip cookie dough, and cookies & cream, maxing out at just 1 to 2 grams of the sweet stuff. Even better, the amount of fiber in these minis is comparable to some other brands' full-size options, meaning it will keep you fuller for longer. You can even have two. As someone who personally dislikes the full size Quest Bars, I was shocked at how much better the texture of these are.
- Satisfies sweet tooth
- Low sugar levels
- Several flavor options
- High in fiber
- Some find the texture too dense
4) Clif Peanut Butter Banana with Dark Chocolate Energy Bars (10-pack)
Prepping for a long hike or bike ride? You might want to add one of these oat bars to your pack. This bar is much higher in sugar than other options, but those extra carbs are essential for a quick energy boost—especially if you're doing long-distance exercise, says Heather Mangieri, R.D.N., C.S.S.D . And unlike many other bars, they won't become a melted mess two miles into your sweaty trek (unless you grab the chocolate chip flavor).
- Energy boosting
- Doesn’t melt easily
- Good meal replacement
- Lots of sugar
5) One Protein Bars Variety Pack (12-pack)
This bar isn't about snacking; it's about maximizing your strength training workout and helping build muscle. So if you're looking for a sweet treat, this might not be for you. However, One protein bars have a whopping 20 grams of protein and just 1 gram of sugar per serving, making them an ideal post-lifting treat. With flavors like maple glazed doughnut and birthday cake, they don't taste bad by any means. Plus, these bars are sweetened with stevia, so they won't skyrocket your blood sugar levels. With a hefty dose of the muscle-building macronutrient, it's best to eat them after a tough workout.
- High protein levels
- Variety pack option
- Naturally sweetened
- Tastes like protein powder
6) Aloha Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Organic Protein Bars (12-pack)
A quick bar can be an easy snack—unless you have several dietary restrictions to follow. Luckily,Aloha's bars rely on whole foods like brown rice and pumpkin seeds to infuse flavor and protein. The ingredient list is vegan, gluten-free , and paleo-friendly, so it's likely to be safe for several nutritional restrictions. With 14 grams of protein and only 4 to 5 grams of sugar, these bars are a good choice for basically any diet out there, whether you're going low-carb or high-protein .
- Gluten-free
- Vegan
- Several flavor options
- High in fiber
- Texture can be too chalky for some
7) RXBar Chocolate Sea Salt Protein Bars (10-pack)
The RXBar claim to fame is its "No B.S." ingredients list, which is why the brand comes so heavily recommended by multiple nutritionists. It fits on the front of the bar's packaging because it's that short. While they tend to be a bit higher in the sugar department, the sweet stuff only comes from whole foods, like dates and dark chocolate. As for protein? A typical bar will offer more than 10 grams in the form of egg whites and nuts, which is pretty great. Best of all, I love that this bar tastes good without any of the chalky taste you can get from whey or veggie proteins.
- Made with whole foods
- Several flavor options
- Available in minis and full-size bars
- Higher levels of sugar compared to other options we recommend
8) Think White Chocolate Protein Bars (10-pack)
When you need an energy boost, this bar from Think is for you. Packed with soy protein isolate and whey protein, it's great when you need sustained energy fast. It's also an ideal option post-workout because it contains quality protein to boost muscle recovery. Just pair one with a fiber-packed food (like a pear or apple) to balance the bar (which offers zero grams of fiber). But don't worry about what flavor to choose for this one—they all taste incredible.
- Energy boosting
- Several flavor options
- No added sugar
- No fiber
9) IQBar Chocolate Sea Salt Protein Bars (12-pack)
While you're on a deadline or studying and need some extra fuel, these chocolate-flavored bars are the perfect way to crush your candy cravings and pack in some great protein and fiber at the same time. They also contain six nutrients specifically included as brain boosters, like magnesium and vitamin E, to get you through busy workdays.
"Vitamin E is an anti-inflammatory, which helps to keep DNA healthy and replicating correctly while maintaining the structure of healthy brain cell membranes," Robin Foroutan, M.S., R.D.N. , a functional dietitian previously told Prevention . They both can also help protect cells from oxidative stress, which can contribute to cognitive decline, and a recent study showed magnesium can reduce the chances of dementia.
- No added sugar
- High in fiber
- Multiple variety packs
- Flavors can be hit or miss
How to choose the best protein bars
✔️ Choose wholesome ingredients.Flip to the ingredient list and look for whole ingredients at the top, like nuts and fruits, instead of added sugars, says Davis.
✔️ Check the sugar.The lower, the better, but Davis recommends staying below 12 grams of sugar per bar. Plus, pay extra attention to the type of sugar if you tend to have stomach issues, says Mangieri. Many brands opt to use sugar alcohols (like sorbitol, xylitol, erythritol, and maltitol) to add sweetness without increasing carbohydrate content. These can occasionally cause gas and bloating, so avoid them if you experience gastrointestinal discomfort.
✔️ Find your ideal calorie range:For a snack between meals or post-workout, stick to bars between 180 and 250 calories, says Davis. If you plan to use a protein bar as an occasional meal replacement, aim for a bar (or include additional calories) to reach around 400 calories, Gans says.
✔️ Pack in the protein:Your protein bar should have between 6 and 12 grams of protein to keep you full and help build muscle, says Karen Ansel, M.S., R.D.N., C.D.N., author of Healing Superfoods For Anti-Aging . Gans suggests aiming for a minimum of 10 grams of protein if using as a meal replacement.
✔️ Feel full with fiber:Ansel suggests looking for at least 2 to 3 grams of fiber to make your bar more satiating and help slow the release of sugar into your system. To encourage this, Gans says a good rule of thumb is to find a bar that has more grams of fiber than grams of added sugar.
Why trust us
For more than 70 years, Prevention has been a leading provider of trustworthy health information, empowering readers with practical strategies to improve their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Our editors interview medical experts to help guide our health-focused product selections. Additionally, Prevention also examines hundreds of reviews—and often conducts personal testing done by our staff—to help you make informed decisions.
You Might Also Like
