by It seems that everyone – and we mean it everyone – has been talking about protein lately, and he’s not just a gym fan either. Just a quick scroll on TikTok is evidence that we are taking our protein intake seriously in 2024. Whether you’re after high protein, low carb foods or you’re looking for vegan sources of protein, there are plenty of proteins out there. delicious meals to help you reach your daily goal. But don’t forget about snacks too.
Enter the protein bar, a convenient way to get some extra protein into your diet when you’re on the go.
They can be a bit more on the expensive side – a protein bar will set you back more than your average Milky Way, unfortunately. Luckily, we’ve got you covered no matter your budget when browsing the snack aisles.
In addition to their slightly spennier prices, there are so many different types of protein bars out there. It can be difficult to know which one to choose – especially if you have dietary requirements (such as vegan), have allergies or have IBS.
To make things easier, we asked nutritionist Jenna Hope to give an expert verdict on some of the most popular protein bars on the market right now (as well as put them to a very tough taste test – it’s hard work it, but someone’s hard work). I had to do it!).
“Many protein bars contain a wide range of ingredients, from polyols, to sugars, stabilizers and artificial flavourings,” explains Hope. “As a result, they should not be seen as a healthy snack but as a convenient way to increase protein and in some cases they can be seen as an alternative to a chocolate bar.”
The expert recommends not to eat them instead of a nutrient-dense meal, but to treat them as a good option if you are having a snack in the afternoon, or after you have finished a workout and they are short on time. “Many protein bars contain polyols, a type of sugar alcohol used to provide sweetness,” says Hope. “Polyols can cause gastrointestinal symptoms in those suffering from IBS and therefore should not be over-consumed.”
With Hope’s advice in mind, here’s our round up of ten widely sold bars, complete with tasting notes and nutritional information.
Best tasting protein bar
Carb Killa Grenade
The IS Cosmopolitan UK The team tried the Chocolate Chip Salted Caramel bars, which impress on the taste front (it was perfect for a filling, mid-afternoon snack that isn’t too sweet) and has a high protein content. However, warns Hope, this Grenade bar also contains a high amount of maltitol (polyol which is a sugar alcohol – sugar alcohols are used as sweeteners in foods because they are low in calories, they can treat the food and sweeten provide) doing it is one to limit if you have IBS.
“This bar contains 20g of protein but contains 18g of polyol mainly from maltitol which can have laxative effects and trigger bowel symptoms such as bloating and flatulence in IBS sufferers,” she advises. “It also contains 5.1g of saturated fat which should be limited in the diet.”
Best protein bar according to nutritionist
The Protein Ball Co
AN CO Protein Ball The Co Protein Ball (Peanut Butter) 10 x 45g
AN CO Protein Ball The Co Protein Ball (Peanut Butter) 10 x 45g
Not a bar per se, but a winner in the eyes of our experts. “These balls are great for portion control because you don’t have to eat them all in one go,” says Hope. “They are made with natural ingredients, lower in saturated fats than other crops and do not contain polyols.” Given the variety of flavors available too, there’s sure to be one for everyone.
Best protein bar for when you’re craving chocolate
Mars Hello Protein Bar
Mars Mars Hello Protein Bar
Okay, so though anything is possible truly imitating a bona fide Mars Bar, the Mars Hi Protein Bar does an admirable job. All the flavors are there, but the center is chewier (well, it’s densely packed with 20g of protein, so what do you expect?). “This is a high-protein version of a chocolate bar and should not be mistaken for a healthy, nutrient-dense snack,” notes Hope. “Although this bar is a better alternative to a regular Mars Bar because it is lower in calories, fat and sugar, it is still high in saturated fats.” We really enjoyed our coffee (don’t judge).
Best low-calorie protein bar
MAXIMMUSCLE New York Vanilla Cheesecake Bar
Maximuscle Protein Bars (New York Vanilla Cheesecake) 12 x 45g
Maximuscle Protein Bars (New York Vanilla Cheesecake) 12 x 45g
These pocket-sized bars are perfect if you really want to put something indulgent, because they are extra sweet, and if they come in around the 150 calories mark. “There are a lot of artificial additives in this bar,” notes Hope. “As a protein bar, it is lower in calories than many of the others although it is high in polyols and has 11.7g per bar.”
Best grain-based protein bar
Eat Natural
Eat Natural (Peanuts & Chocolate Nut Bar) 20 x 45g
Eat Natural (Peanuts & Chocolate Nut Bar) 20 x 45g
“These are a bit more natural bars than some other protein bars although there are still others bigger natural ones on the market,” says Hope. “They vary in saturated fat content so it’s always worth comparing flavors.” These are much lighter and easier to eat, she says.
Best protein bar for those with IBS
Clif Builders Protein Bars
CLIF Energy Bars (Blueberry Crisp) 12 x 68g
CLIF Energy Bars (Blueberry Crisp) 12 x 68g
Although these are higher in calories than other crops, they do not contain polyols and therefore may be a friendlier choice for those suffering from IBS, says Hope. “The bars are made with soy protein which is the most nutritionally similar protein to whey.”
Best protein bar for vegans
Barebells Protein Bar (Salted Peanut)
Barebells Protein Bar (Peanut Salty Vegan) 12 x 55g
Barebells Protein Bar (Peanut Salty Vegan) 12 x 55g
This bar is not too sweet and has a good texture – but don’t think it’s a rival to Snickers. Hope says this is one of the best options because it has no added sugar (and is lower in total sugar than many bars), but the vegan Barebells range contains artificial sweeteners, which should be eaten sparingly moderate. “It’s also high in saturated fat, which should be accounted for as part of your total saturated fat intake,” advises Hope. “I personally found these bars to be more artificial than some of the others.”
Best protein bar for those with allergies
Creative Nature
Creative Type Vegan Snack Bars (Blueberry Muffin) 20 x 30g
Creative Type Vegan Snack Bars (Blueberry Muffin) 20 x 30g
Creative Nature prides itself on being the safest choice for those with allergies, all bars are nut free, vegan friendly and gluten free. We haven’t tested the Blueberry Muffin offering yet but all the flavors we tried (Apple Spice, Salted Caramel and Cacao Orange) were delicious. However, in terms of protein content they only have around 8g per bar. “These bars are the most natural because they are full of whole foods like oats, seeds and dates,” agrees Hope. “They’re lighter in flavor than many others so they’re easier to eat.”
Best gluten free protein bar option
Chocolate Almond Beachbar Bark
beachbody BEACHBAR® Plant Based Chocolate Almond Bar (15 bars per box)
beachbody BEACHBAR® Plant Based Chocolate Almond Bar (15 bars per box)
This is a winner in terms of taste, but only has 9g of protein – it’s also on the more expensive side at nearly £40 for a box of 15. says Dóchas. “It’s more compact and lighter in weight than some of the other options as well.”
The best treatment protein bar
Brownie Vegan Protein Bulk
Vegan Protein Brownie
Vegan Protein Brownie
Now 24% Off
There’s a great selection of bulk-inspired sweet treats with the benefits of a protein bar, including everything from cookies to brownies and peanut butter cups.
Hope recommended Slice Millionaires Bulk Protein, noting “it’s higher in calories (271 each) than many of the other bars and has almost 7g of saturated fat per bar,” while delivering 15g of protein . Sadly, this sweet is no longer available, but the good news is that you can still get your hands on Bulk’s Vegan Protein Brownie, which also packs a punch with 15g of protein.
So there you have it, happy snacking!
