Top Pick
- High in protein
- Gluten-free.
- Low in sugar.
Are you on the hunt for a tool to pack lots of protein into your diet to fuel your gym needs? Or are you simply looking for a new way to get more energy into your diet to fuel your busy day?
Perhaps you’re just bored of your usual protein-filled snacks and want a change? Well, this is where the best tasting protein bars come in—high in protein, high in energy, and high in taste! What more could you ask for to feel satisfied and ready for the day ahead?
In this article, we’ll be exploring the ways in which protein bars can really benefit your body, day-in, day-out. Then, we’ll be sharing with you our top five best tasting protein bars out there.
Want to shake up your diet? Here we go…
The Best Protein Bars — Top Five
Here, we tell you our favorite best tasting protein bars on the market.
1. Quest Nutrition Protein Bar (Apple Pie)
We love this option, not least for its array of 12 deliciously inventive flavors, like coconut cashew, apple pie, and cinnamon roll. In fact, this option is relatively low in calories compared to many other options out there. This is a great way to get in a little nutritious snack, without gaining too many daily calories.
What’s more, the Quest nutrition bar is not only low in sugar to further reduce your fatty intake, but is also super high in protein. If you want a really tasty treat to boost your protein intake, this one is a great choice.
- Key Ingredients
- Protein: 20 grams (40 percent of daily value).
- Carbohydrates: 24 grams (8 percent of daily value).
- Sugar: 4 grams.
- Fat: 6 grams (9 percent of daily value).
- Calories: 190.
- Pros
- High in protein.
- Low in sugar.
- Low in calories.
- All natural ingredients.
- Gluten-free.
- Cons
- Can cause bloating or gas in some people.
2. Pure Protein Bar (Chocolate Deluxe)
The Pure Protein bar is another great option for the best tasting protein bars, coming in three classic flavors. Despite the lack of flavor choices, what they do provide is between 20 and 21 grams of protein to fuel your day. This is ideal for anyone requiring a post-gym snack or pre-gym breakfast.
What’s more, this option is low in sugar and calories, so you won’t have to burn off any needless additions to your diet. To add to this, the chewy exterior makes this a really satisfying choice to curb your sweet cravings.
- Key Ingredients
- Protein: 21 grams (28 percent of daily value).
- Carbohydrates: 17 grams (6 percent of daily value).
- Sugar: 3 grams.
- Fat: 4.5 grams (7 percent of daily value).
- Calories: 180.
- Pros
- High levels of protein.
- Low in calories.
- Low in sugar.
- Gluten-free.
- Made using high-quality protein sources, like whey.
- Cons
- Only comes in three flavors.
3. ONE Protein Bar (Peanut Butter Pie)
The third option we’ve chosen for the best tasting protein bars is the One bar, which comes in four delicious flavors. Despite there being only four flavors, though, they don’t skimp out on their inventive choices, including birthday cake and maple-glazed donut.
Although these options have a relatively high-calorie count, their use of almost no sugar makes up for this. The high amount of protein also adds to the positive qualities this bar brings to the table. With luxurious packaging, this option will feel like a really sweet treat, guilt-free!
- Key Ingredients
- Protein: 20 grams (40 percent of daily value).
- Carbohydrates: 23 grams (8 percent of daily value).
- Sugar: 1 gram.
- Fat: 8 grams (10 percent of daily value).
- Calories: 220.
- Pros
- Inventive flavor choices.
- Very low in sugar.
- High in protein.
- Gluten-free.
- Satisfying.
- Cons
- Only four flavor options.
- Relatively high in calories.
4. Lenny & Larry's Snickerdoodle Cookies
This one is a little different to our usual option for the best tasting protein bars. In fact, this one actually takes the form of a cookie, to help you curb your sugary cravings. Indeed, despite the single flavor option, it’s a classic that most people will love.
Including 16 grams of protein per cookie, this one will see you through a hard day at work, or at the gym. Also, with 10 grams of fiber per cookie, the healthy inner-workings of your body will be supported through anything.
- Key Ingredients
- Protein: 8 grams (8 percent of daily value).
- Carbohydrates: 29 grams (10 percent of daily value).
- Sugar: 11 grams.
- Fat: 7 grams (11 percent of daily value).
- Calories: 200.
- Pros
- High in protein.
- Non-GMO.
- Kosher.
- Dairy-free.
- High in fiber.
- Cons
- High in sugars.
- Only one flavor option.
5. Quest Nutrition Protein Cookie
Our final option for the best tasting protein bars is another cookie option, except this one contains almost no sugar! That said, despite this lack of sugar, this Quest cookie doesn’t cut out on flavor. It’s actually still chewy and delicious, to feel satisfying.
What’s more, it contains 15 grams of protein and 9 grams of fiber to boost your immune system and muscle growth—ideal for a gym-goer. Coming in a few standard, but delicious, flavors, this seems to be a winner.
- Key Ingredients
- Protein: 15 grams (30 percent of daily value).
- Carbohydrates: 19 grams (6 percent of daily value).
- Sugar: <1 gram.
- Fat: 17 grams (26 percent of daily value).
- Calories: 250.
- Pros
- Tasty, with some classic flavors, like chocolate chip and peanut butter.
- Contains almost no sugar.
- High in protein and fiber.
- Gluten-free.
- Cons
- High in calories.
- Sweetened using artificial sweeteners.
Informational guide to protein bars
What Makes Protein Bars So Useful?
Did you know that when you work out intensely, your muscles actually rip a little, which is why they become so sore? This is why your body needs protein in your diet—to help repair your muscles after a grueling gym session. This is where the best tasting protein bars will come in useful, providing a much-needed protein boost to reduce the soreness.
But do you want to know the more scientific bit? Well, these proteins are made up of amino acid chains which, once consumed, break up into their respective chains to form new chains. These new chains are then utilized for specific jobs in the body and, in this case, that would be to help repair and grow your muscles.
This is called protein synthesis, and a little added bit of protein in your diet from the best tasting protein bars, whether that be before the gym or after, could make all the difference to help you make those gains. If you still don’t understand the ropes, or you just want to find out further details, then this video may help you out.
Some Benefits of Protein Bars
So what else can a protein bar do?
- They’re portable, so can be taken to school, work, or in your gym bag.
- Can be consumed as a low calorie, high-protein breakfast before a long day, if you’re trying to lose weight.
- Can be super satisfying, helping to curb those sugary cravings.
- Help to stabilize your blood sugar and pressure.
- Help to boost your energy in the gym, as well as your strength and power.
- Protein is known for its muscle repairing qualities, which means it can also reduce soreness too.
There really seems to be no downside to protein bars and, when they taste even better than they make you feel, there’s no reason to avoid them!
Four Things to Look for in A Protein Bar
But how do you know which ones are the best protein bars out there? Well, we’ve got all the information you need.
1. High in Protein
Protein bars don’t just have to be eaten as a snack on a regular day—they’re actually highly effective for the gym due to their protein levels. Protein is the best way to help your muscles to repair and grow, reducing muscle soreness after the gym too.
If this is something you think you may use the best tasting protein bars for, protein levels are something to watch out for.
2. Satisfying
Protein is one of those ingredients in your diet which can be super satisfying, as it’s really filling. However, when we want to eat a snack, it’s often tempting to reach for sugary treats. The best tasting protein bars, if they’re chewy and rich, will feel like a naughty treat, while filling you up with protein.
3. Interesting Flavors
With the accolade of best-tasting protein bars, we’ve got to set the bar high. That’s why flavor choice is important, especially as it can make it feel like a real treat. In fact, many of our favorite best tasting protein bars on the list below have some really interesting flavors, like apple pie and maple glazed donut.
4. Low in Calories and Sugar
It’s important that you don’t include unnecessary sugar and calories in your diet if you want to see success in the gym or lose weight. It’s a well-known fact that too much sugar in your diet can cause obesity. This is why you should ensure your snacks are low in calories, with low sugar too, so you can curb your sugar cravings in a guilt-free way.
Conclusion
In all honesty, although there are some really great options on this list, it’s really not hard to pick a favorite. This time, our favorite of the best tasting protein bars has to be the Quest Nutrition Protein Bar.
Not only does this one have almost no added sugars or calories, but it still comes in 12 tasty flavors. These flavors, though, aren’t just any old flavors like peanut butter and chocolate. They’re are inventive and different, keeping every consumer on their toes.
But, the flavor isn’t where the Quest Bars end. In fact, their amazingly high protein levels make this the ideal choice for any gym-goer. Want an all-round fantastic choice for the best tasting protein bars? Well, we can’t fault this one.
