However, not all bars offer the best nutrients or even taste like food (raise your hand if you’ve been disappointed by a chalky, cardboard-like bar). So, WH editors worked with nutritionists to demystify the nutrition label and then set out to find the most delicious, protein-packed recommendations you should add to your cart.
Are protein bars good for you?
The short answer: It depends on the bar. Some bars, like protein powder, are loaded with added sugars, various protein amounts, and different nutrients.
There’s no official definition as to what constitutes a protein bar, per the FDA. That means it’s up to individual brands to decide how much protein (and what type—animal or plant-based protein) they add to products. Protein bars vary widely in their amount of protein, some with even as low as one gram.
How much protein should a protein bar contain?
There’s no magic number or precise amount of protein that’s best for everyone, but a good rule of thumb is to look for a bar—whether animal-based or vegan—that has at least five grams of protein, says Gorin. Your exact protein intake will depend on lifestyle, says Maya Feller, RD, CDN, and adjunct professor at New York University. Active athletes likely need to look for options that feature more of the macro, especially if they’re training for a marathon or leveling uplifting goals.
But, don’t stop at protein! Your ideal snack scenario will also contain at least three grams of fiber, says Amy Gorin, MS, RDN. “Along with protein, fiber helps to keep you fuller longer,” she adds. Just note some bars are packed with a ton of dietary fiber which may cause some gastro distress if you’re not used to consuming large amounts in each meal. Your best bet? Keep a close eye on the amount of fiber listed on the nutrition label. Anything at 20 percent of your daily value and above (a five-gram bar if your aim is 25 grams per day) is ideal.
How We Tested
The Women’s Health test kitchen curated a list of popular, nationally available protein bars, then narrowed down that list per nutritionist’s recommendations. In this case, prioritizing bars that hit minimum protein requirements and capping added sugar amounts. Next came an organized blind taste test where a team of tasters tried over 200 bars. And, full bars were sent to 20 editors to try at home (or at the gym, on the road, you name it) to evaluate how filling and satiating each bar is.
Hungry? Ahead are the winners of the WH protein bar taste test, all clocking in with at least five grams of protein.
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Best Keto Protein Bar
IQBar Chocolate Sea Salt (12 Bars)
IQBars are an ideal plant-based keto protein bar option for under 200 calories with 15 grams of fat and only 11 grams of carbs. Men’s Health fitness commerce editor Charles Thorp says it has everything he wants in a pea protein-based bar for a mid-day pick-me-up minus the sugar and carbs.
“Since I usually hit a protein bar midday, I appreciate that these have six nutrients that help brain function and brain health, like omega-3s, lion’s mane mushroom, and vitamin E,” he says. These bars are smooth and easy to snack on.
“The taste is also great, I usually reach for the peanut butter option, as I’m a peanut butter fan, but all the flavors are pretty enjoyable.” He also likes that it’s easy to chew, unlike other options that can leave “your jaw feeling worn out after eating.”
Per serving: 170 calories, 12 g fat (3 g sat fat), 135 mg sodium, 10 g carbs, 8 g fiber, 1 g sugar, 12 g protein
Best-Tasting Protein Bar
MOSH Variety Pack Protein Bars
Looking for an option that gives you a little extra something? Each bar serves up adaptogenic mushrooms like lion’s mane, and 100 percent of your daily dose of vitamin B12, both important for brain function. Order the variety pack so you can discover a flavor you’ll want to eat on repeat. WH editors flagged the Blueberry Almond Crunch and Cookie Dough Crunch as favorites.
Per serving (blueberry almond): 180 calories, 9 g fat (1 g sat fat), 100 mg sodium, 15 g carbs, 7 g fiber, 3 g sugar (2 g added sugars), 12 g protein
Best Vegan Protein Bar
88 Acres Banana Bread Pumpkin Seed Protein Bar
This bar is made of only 6 (recognizable!) ingredients, and powered by pumpkin seeds, which serve up 12 grams of protein and a serious crunch. “I think this tasted like banana bread and it reminded me of the squishy top of the loaf, arguably the best part,” said one taster. “It wasn’t overly sweet and had a nice clean aftertaste.”
Per serving: 260 calories, 19 g fat (3.5 g sat fat), 140 mg sodium, 15 g carbs, 3 g fiber, 7 g sugar (4 g added sugar), 12 g protein
Best Organic Protein Bar
GoMacro Oatmeal Chocolate Chip
When you’re craving an oatmeal chocolate chip cookie but looking for a hit of protein, reach for this option that was a favorite among testers.
Per serving: 270 calories, 9 g fat (2 g sat fat), 60 mg sodium, 35 g carbs, 3 g fiber, 13 g sugar (12 g added sugar), 12 g protein
Best Refrigerated Protein Bar
Perfect Bar Coconut Peanut Butter Bar
Bars that need to be stashed in the fridge—like this one!—are often free of preservatives that allow shelf-stable protein bars to stay room temp. Plus, keeping their cool helps them retain shape, texture, and freshness. This bar is high in vitamin E and a host of minerals, like copper and niacin, which are important for sustaining energy levels throughout the day.
Per serving: 350 calories, 22 g fat (6 g sat fat), 45 mg sodium, 27 g carbs, 4 g fiber, 19 g sugar (12 g added sugar) 16 g protein
Best Fiber-Packed Protein Bar
Aloha Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bar
Anyone looking for a combo of fiber, protein and healthy fats will be satisfied by this option which delivers on all three fronts, plus earned top scores in the taste test. Everyone obsessed over the bars’ chewy texture and slightly sweet, not too sweet flavor.
Per serving: 240 calories, 11 g fat (2.5 g sat fat), 105 mg sodium, 25 g carbs, 10 g fiber, 5 g sugar (4 g added sugar) 14 g protein
Best Low-Carb Protein Bar
Epic Bison, Bacon, and Cranberry Bar
Fans of jerky will most likely dig these animal-based protein bars. While this bison-based protein bar is slightly lower in fiber than other options—it only has 2 grams—it’s a great pick if you’re looking for a meat-based buy. Grass-fed bison and bacon pack in a smoky flavor, while cranberries add a tart pop.
Per serving: 120 calories, 7 g fat (3 g sat fat), 300 mg sodium, 8 g carbs, 2 g fiber, 6 g sugar (4 g added sugar), 7 g protein
Best Crunchy Protein Bar
KIND Crunchy Peanut Butter Protein Bar
Tasters loved the crunch of real peanuts and the “salty zing” of this plant-based protein bar. Throw it in your bag for a snack on the go!
Per serving: 250 calories, 18 g fat (4 g sat fat), 135 mg sodium, 17 g carbs, 6 g fiber, 7 g sugar (5 g added sugar), 12 g protein
Best Gluten-Free Protein Bar
RXBAR Chocolate Sea Salt
This super popular brand makes a wide lineup of flavors and they only contain real ingredients that you can pronounce like nuts (almonds, peanuts, and cashews) and egg whites. One editor’s favorite? Chocolate sea salt. “I love the big salt crystals. The bar is sweet and chewy.”
Per serving: 210 calories, 9 g fat (2 g sat fat), 260 mg sodium, 23 g carbs, 5 g fiber, 13 g sugar (0 g added sugar), 12 g protein
Best Chocolate Protein Bar
Promix Promix Protein Puff Bar
One WH editor swears by a Promix mint chocolate protein puff bar with an icy cold brew as her afternoon snack. “The bars are super filling with 15 grams of protein each, and the mint chocolate flavor somehow makes it feel more like a dessert,” she says. The perfect nutrition-meets-flavor combo!
Per serving: 150 calories, 4 g fat (2.5 g saturated fat), 60 mg sodium, 17 g carbs, 6 g fiber, 5 g sugar (3 g added sugar), 15 g protein
Is a protein bar a good meal replacement?
You’ll want to think twice before turning a bar into a high-protein meal. They generally don’t have enough calories to be considered one, says Jessica Jones, RD.
Instead, think of protein bars as snacks or a supplement for nutrients. “Remember that food isn’t just the sum of its nutritional parts, either—an important component of a meal is pleasure and satisfaction,” says Jones. Need a fast protein-packed breakfast? Grab a bar and a piece of fruit.
Should I be concerned about the sugar in protein bars?
Some bars are (sorry to say it) straight-up candy and packed with added sugars. It’s important to peep how many grams of sugar are on the label so you know what you’re working with, especially if you’re keeping close tabs on how much sugar (and added sugar) you consume. FYI—the FDA suggests limiting calories from added sugars to less than 10 percent of total calories per day. If you consume 2,000 calories daily, that would be 50 grams or less of added sugar per day.
You also want to give the ingredient list a quick read to see what type of sweetener brands use. Many bars are sweetened with sugar alternatives, from artificial picks like sucralose to “natural” sources, including fruit and plant-based sugar substitutes. Each serves up a different sweetness level and flavor.
Meet The Experts
- Amy Gorin, MS, RDN, is a media coach and owner of businesses Plant-Based with Amy and Master the Media.
- Maya Feller, RD, CDN, is a Brooklyn-based adjunct professor at New York University and author of Eating From Our Roots: 80+ Healthy Home-Cooked Favorites From Cultures Around The World.
- Jessica Jones, RD, has over 12 years of experience as a dietitian, is a Certified Diabetes Educator, and is co-founder of the nutrition resource and podcast, Food Heaven.
Becca Miller (she/her) has been working in the Good Nutrients Test Kitchen since 2018, where she recipes and writes about tasty recipes, food trends and top cooking tools. She attended from NYU with a liberal arts degree on creative writing. She makes killer scrambled eggs, spoils a glass of un-oaked chardonnay and takes pride in her love of reality television.
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