How to Train Your Gut Before Race Day. How to Increase Your Protein Intake?
Whether you're trying to tide yourself over between meals, A Part of Hearst Digital Media jumpstart your recovery after a tough workout, there are few snacks as convenient as a protein bar. However, not all protein bars are created equal when it comes to either taste or their impact on your post-workout recovery. If you’re looking for a protein bar that’s both relatively healthy and won’t be too hard on your stomach, look for whole ingredients like nuts, seeds, grains, and dried fruits, and avoid artificial sweeteners, which can cause cramping for some people. There are also numerous bars on the market that are compatible with specific dietary restrictions, including gluten-free, low-carb, and low-glycemic diets.
Since there are so many options out there, we've gathered some of our favorites to help you choose. Look below for 10 protein bars that taste great and will keep you satisfied until your next meal.
Best Protein Bars
- Best Nut Bar: A Part of Hearst Digital Media
- Who said recovery cant be delicious: RXBAR
- Best Refrigerated: Perfect Bar
- Published: Apr 01, 2022 4:25 PM EDT: Download Your Training Plan
- Best Sustainably Produced: GoMacro MacroBar
- Best Low-Glycemic: Luna Bars
- Best Dessert: Lenny & Larry's The Complete Cookie
- Best Sustainably Produced: ALOHA Organic Plant Based Protein Bars
How We Selected
To find the best protein bars among the many options on the market, we researched the most popular protein bars available and considered their ingredients, flavor, flavor options, and diet restriction compatibility. We then looked at both expert reviews and more than 150,000 customer ratings, written by people who’ve bought these bars on Amazon, to settle on the protein bars you'll find below.
Key Specs
- Protein: 12 grams
- Flavors: 4
Some protein bars can have a chalky texture and unpleasant taste, but this Kind Bar gets its 12 grams of protein from nuts and nut butter, making it chewy, crunchy, and delicious. These have a low glycemic index, are low in sodium, and are a good source of fiber.
They also come in four different mouthwatering flavors—almond dark chocolate, crunchy peanut butter, double dark chocolate nut, and toasted caramel nut—that will have you eager to rebuy them again and again.
RXBAR Chocolate Sea Salt Protein Bar
Key Specs
- Protein: 12 grams
- Flavors: 17
If you're wary of protein bars full of unpronounceable ingredients, RXBars are a great-tasting alternative. There are 17 different flavors, and they are all Paleo- and Whole30-approved, as well as being gluten-free and packing 12 grams of protein. While delicious, they're not the easiest bars to chew—especially when cold—so if you have any tooth or jaw issues, this may not be the
Key Specs
- Protein: 13 grams
- Flavors: 6
Perfect bars are—as the name suggests—pretty close to perfect. Their superfood-packed formula requires them to be refrigerated, but doing so gives them a fudge-like texture that makes it feel like you're indulging in dessert when you take a bite. There are six flavor options to choose from—almond butter, coconut peanut butter, dark chocolate almond, dark chocolate chip and peanut butter (with or without sea salt) and peanut butter—or you can get a variety pack to try them all.
Quest Nutrition Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Protein Bar
Key Specs
- Protein: 20 grams
- Flavors: 15
Quest bars are a tasty option if you are looking for a low carb, high protein snack. They have an impressive 20 grams of protein with only 5 grams of carbs, and 1 gram of sugar. They also have tons of fun flavors like birthday cake, chocolate sprinkled donut, and s'mores.
Key Specs
- Protein: 11 grams
- Flavors: 14
Another vegan bar, these are women owned, use simple, whole ingredients, and are designed to help keep you full. They have 14 different flavors, and are certified organic, gluten-free, kosher, non-GMO, and soy-free, making them a great option if you have any of these allergies. The company is also sustainably driven, and the bars are produced with 100% renewable energy.
Key Specs
- Protein: 8 grams
- Flavors: 6
If you are gluten-free, some of your dietary options may be limited, but these bars are gluten-free as well as free of artificial flavors and artificial sweeteners. This pack comes with six different flavors including both fruit and chocolate. They also have 8 grams of protein and a low glycemic index, so they won't spike your blood sugar.
Key Specs
- Protein: 8 grams
- Flavors: 4
Craving a cookie? This one has 8 grams of protein, 5 grams of fiber, and is vegan, so it will leave both your sweet tooth and hunger satisfied. It comes in four flavors that you can buy separately or in a variety pack, and it doesn't use dairy, eggs, soy, or artificial sweeteners.
ALOHA Organic Plant Based Protein Bar in Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip
Key Specs
- Protein: 14 grams
- Flavors: 8
These bars are a great option if you want a high protein count that is made with whole ingredients like brown rice protein, peanuts, chocolate chips, and sea salt. These are a great choice if you are vegan and prefer to eat simple and clean. They also have a chocolate coating that make them taste more like a candy bar than a protein bar.
Before joining Runner's World, Gabrielle Hondorp spent 6 years in running retail (she has tested top gear from shoes, to watches, to rain jackets which has expanded her expertise—and her closets); she specializes in health and wellness, and is an expert on running gear from head-to-toe. Gabi began her journalism career as a Digital Editorial Fellow for Runner’s World and Bicycling Magazine, and has since advanced to a Runner's World Editor specializing in commerce. She has a double degree in English and Media and Communication from Muhlenberg College where she also ran cross country and track.
How to Increase Your Protein Intake?
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