“I understand that nowadays everyone is always short on time and rushing from one commitment to the next, but I think people rely on protein bars too often,” says Jennifer Silverman, a New York–based nutritionist. “Depending on the bar, they might be upward of 250 or 300 calories and packed with added sugar.” Plus, many high protein bars are packed with fillers. Silverman suggests looking out for added and fake sugars (sucralose, erythritol, and aspartame in particular). “Instead look for bars that have ingredients you can pronounce and natural sugars,” she recommends.
How to Find a Healthy Protein Bar
In a perfect world, a protein bar should have no more than 14 grams of sugar per serving.It should also have about five or so grams of fiber, which helps you digest it slowly and release its energy evenly.It should have four grams of fat.If you are looking to shed weight, the maximum calories a bar should have is 200.If muscle gain is your goal, a bar should have at least 20 grams of protein.Otherwise, a protein bar should have 10 grams of protein.
You can always make your own low-sugar protein bars, but if you don’t have time, these are some of the healthiest protein bars on the market. You’ll note that some have more sugar than others, because ultimately, if you don’t like the taste of something, you won’t eat it, no matter how much it’s marketed as good for you. We’ve provided the nutritional info. You make the call. Every product on Fatherly is independently selected by our editors, writers, and experts. If you click a link on our site and buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
