Protein has very little impact on your blood sugar,” says Margulies. “Protein helps build and keep muscle and helps you feel full. Are Protein Bars Healthy?įirst things first, protein is a macronutrient, meaning that your body needs it for energy and to maintain its biological processes. Still, Kitchens cautions, protein bars often contain high amounts of sugar.Īhead, the scoop about protein bars nutritional profile, guidelines for buying healthy protein bars and our top picks for healthy protein bar choices. “They are also an ideal choice for those on the go who don't have time to prepare a nutritious meal or snack,” she says.

You just need to know what to look for and what to avoid,” she says.Īshley Kitchens, M.P.H., R.D.N., owner of Plant Centered Nutrition echoes Margulies: “not all protein bars are crafted equally.” Still, when you know what to look for, you can find nutrient-dense “protein bars are typically fortified with vitamins and minerals, as well as other nutrients such as fiber and healthy fats,” a win for convenience and for maintaining an overall healthy eating plan.Īnd while protein bars are often marketed to athletes, bodybuilders, and other people who need to meet high levels of physical performance, Kitchens says protein bars can be beneficial for anyone. “The good news is there are many better-for-you protein bars available. Some bars are more like candy bars than nutritious snacks.”Īs Margulies points out-with seemingly hundreds of different brands, flavors, and nutrition offerings-it can be hard to know which bar to choose. “Protein bars can be a convenient, balanced choice, but that’s not always the case. However, not all protein bars are built the same,” says Amy S. But if you’re busy or on the go, protein bars can be a quick, simple, and nutrition-wise option. “When it comes to getting enough protein, eating whole foods is your best bet. Half of the bar clocks in at 200 calories, 10 grams of protein and their standard 5 grams of sugar - not bad for what is essentially a protein candy bar.It’s not meal time, but that apple or handful of nuts isn’t going to tide you over either. The only thing I didn’t like was the fact that one package contained two servings, and I found it very difficult to stop myself and save the rest for later.

I did, however, try the Power Crunch Choklat Bars, which are chocolate bars with bits of crunchiness inside, much like a Nestle Crunch bar if you want to compare it to a candy bar. They’ve got so many flavors of the bars that I haven’t even tried all of my samples yet, but with Cookies & Creme, Peanut Butter Fudge and Triple Chocolate, you’ll have an option to try no matter what flavor you’re craving. For its sweet taste, though, it clocks in with the same numbers as the others, even adding a gram of the whey protein above the others. If you’re looking more for a berry taste, they’ve got the Wild Berry Creme, which tastes fruity, but it was a little too sweet for my taste. It was light and peanut buttery without being overpowering, and well, I wolfed it down as a morning snack and wanted more. With nearly the exact same nutrition profile of the Chocolate Mint but five calories lighter, this one was delicious. As Jim Carey said in The Mask, somebody stop me. And I must say, the Peanut Butter Creme, said to be reminiscent of the Girl Scout Do-Si-Dos, was delightful. The texture of all of these is similar to that of the chocolate-covered Nutty Bars you may have had before. With 13 grams of protein, 5 grams of sugar, 1 gram of fiber and 205 calories for an entire bar, it’s a snack that’ll give you a protein-filled sweet fix without loading you up on sugar. It tasted minty and chocolatey, and although I felt like it was just missing a little something-something, I loved the crunch of the wafers. But this protein energy bar will give you a chocolate-mint fix in a protein pinch. Those only come around once a year and are special treats, you guys. Now, I won’t say that this will take the place of my Thin Mint order this year. My thought was no way, no how could they compete with my Thin Mints, so I, of course, had to take them up on their sample offer. It claimed that the line of Power Crunch protein snacks had a chance at providing the flavor and crunch of traditional Girl Scout cookies, without the empty calories. But I had an email land in my inbox that I just had to vet. I’ve been doing a lot of munching and crunching around here - all in the name of research, of course.

Power crunch mint