The 5 Best Protein Bars, According to Top Nutritionists
1. Kind Nuts Spices Bar
Photograph courtesy of Kind
This bar gets bonus points for being a hit with not one but two of the nutritionists we surveyed.
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“My favorite is the dark chocolate and sea salt flavor,” says Keri Gans, R.D., author of The Small Change Diet. “Besides satisfying my sweet tooth for chocolate, it is the perfect combination of healthy fat, fiber, and protein, which is important for keeping me full as a grab-and-go snack.”
Samantha B. Cassetty, R.D., feels the same way, noting that one bar packs as much protein as an egg. “My favorite flavors are caramel, almond, and sea salt and dark chocolate, nuts, and sea salt,” she says. “I’m never without these on planes, and I pretty much always have one in my purse and desk drawer.”
Buy it: 12 for $14, amazon.com
2. Raw Crunch Bar
Photograph by Kori Hoffman
This one is great for those who like to keep it simple. Raw Crunch Bars are made from nuts and seeds—real food, says Kerri Glassman, R.D. The fact that they’re delicious doesn’t hurt, either.
Buy it: 12 for $30, rawcrunchbar.com
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3. Nature Valley Chewy Protein Bar
Almonds, peanuts and oats for energy. Chocolate for motivation. Our kind of snack!
A photo posted by Nature Valley (@nature_valley) on Jun 29, 2016 at 1:21pm PDT
“I like it because they are high in protein, low in sugar, and I don’t have to go to a fancy health food store to find them,” says Ashvini Mashru, R.D., author of Small Steps to Slim. “I usually eat half or three-fourths of a bar to keep it under 150 calories as my snack.” She also points out that these bars come in flavors like peanut butter, dark chocolate, and almond so you can satiate your sweet tooth without blowing your diet.
Buy it: six for $16, amazon.com
4. Premier Protein Chocolate Peanut Butter Bar
Photograph by Premier Protein These bars are a good source of calcium, curb your hunger, and give you energy throughout the day, says Robert Wildman, Ph.D., R.D., fellow of International Society of Sports Nutrition, author of The Nutritionist: Food, Nutrition, and Optimal Health, and chief protein officer of Premier Protein. He adds that when looking for a bar, the amount of protein is crucial—depending on your body size, you should try to consume at least 20 to 30 grams of protein every three hours or so to optimize muscle-protein balance throughout the day.
Buy it: 12 for $21, shop.premierprotein.com
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5. Amrita Chocolate Maca Bar
So grateful to have our Chocolate Maca top on @healthmagazine Best Healthy Snacks, According to Nutritionists. Check out their list of healthy snacks you can nibble on with zero guilt here: http://www.health.com/nutrition/healthy-snacks ??? Photo credits: @yogitriathlete ??? #schoolsafe#allergyfriendly#funfood#healthyfood#nutfree#healthykids#funsnacks#kidsnacks#realfood#foodallergies#plantbased
A photo posted by Amrita Bars (@amritabars) on Jun 27, 2016 at 7:32am PDT
“It’s completely plant-based, has the consistency of a soft chocolate brownie, and a clean ingredient list that reads like a recipe I could have made in my own kitchen,” says Cynthia Sass, R.D., author of Slim Down Now: Shed Pounds and Inches with Real Food, Real Fast. The maca will also give you a natural kick of energy. Plus, if you’re nut-free, this bar is completely seed-based—a rare find with this much protein.
Buy it: 12 for $27, amritahealthfoods.com