Are All Protein Bars Created Equal?

By Nicole Zaybak Drepaniotis, MS, RD,CDN

Protein bars can be a healthy and convenient option as a meal replacement or snack, depending on the nutrition quality of the bar. Protein bars can provide your body with nutrients, boost your energy, and help you meet your protein needs for the day. With so many choices on the market today, picking the right bar can be challenging! There are many protein bars that are high in sugar, calories, and are made with processed ingredients.  When choosing a protein bar, you want one that is made with higher quality whey protein blends, has fiber, is made with heart-healthy fats (almond butter, chia seeds, flax seeds), and has less than 35% of the calories from fat.

When reading labels, always look for products with the least amount of ingredients listed on the label. If it has sugar (syrup, corn sweetener, corn syrup, honey, molasses, fruit juice concentrates, glucose, dextrose, fructose, maltose) and/or hydrogenated oils (soybean oil, canola oil, partially hydrogenated vegetable oils, safflower oil, sunflower oil, shortening, margarine, to name a few…) than you just ate a glorified candy bar!

Use the following criteria to choose the right protein bar for your needs:

Nicole is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist who has been practicing in the clinical and outpatient settings for the past 15 years, specializing in Bariatrics and Weight Management.