While I don’t eat them daily, I like to have a stash of protein bars handy at all times. I keep a basket of them in the pantry and one in every bag I regularly leave the house with. You will not find me hangry, no siree.
Choosing a protein bar, though, that’s a whole thing. I haven’t found a brand I love, and every time I step into that aisle in the grocery store, I freeze. There are so many options. So many brands, so many flavors, so many labels to scour over. I could spend half a day just trying to pick out a nutritious protein bar, and then end up not liking the taste. What a waste of time and money.
Basically, I’m writing this article for selfish reasons. I used it as an excuse to call on a number of dietitians and find out what protein bars they buy.
The Dietitians I Asked
Credit: Simply Recipes / Perfect Bar
The Clear Winner
While a number of protein bar brands were thrown out there, half of the dietitians listed Perfect Bar as their top pick.
“I love Perfect Bars as a mid afternoon or post-workout snack,” said Madeline Peck, RDN, CDN.”They are more substantial than other bars on the market, providing not just protein but also healthy fats, carbohydrates, and a bit of fiber. Because they are a bit more calorie and nutrient dense than other protein bar options, I find that Perfect Bars are more satiating.”
Perfect Bar is best-known for their Peanut Butter, Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter, and Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough flavors. The ingredient list starts with the star of the show: peanut butter. The bars also contain honey, dry milk, egg powder, rice protein, a blend of oils like flax seed and pumpkin seed oil, and a blend of “whole food powders,” including kale, alfalfa, and carrot. A classic peanut butter bar contains 17 grams of protein.
“Not only do these bars have an impressive amount of protein, but I also appreciate that they have a simple, whole-foods-focused ingredients list. And they taste great,” said Jessica Ball, M.S., RD. “That said, they do need to be refrigerated.”
Sara Haas, RDN, LDN, sees this as a perk. “I actually enjoy that’s it’s chilled versus room temperature.” Good to know: Look for Perfect Bars in the refrigerated section of your grocery store. Another perk? They come in mini and snack sizes, great for kids or a lighter adult option. “I like the snack size version which is a little smaller than the original bar. Because it’s smaller, it has fewer calories and added sugar than the full-size bar.”
You can find Perfect Bars at most major supermarkets, including Kroger, Target, Costco, and sometimes Trader Joe’s.
Honorable Mentions
With so many protein bar options out there, you better believe some other brands came up during our discussions. Victoria Seaver, M.S., RD, is a big fan of Mush, especially the Double Chocolate Chip flavor.
“Each bar has 15 grams of protein, and I definitely notice the staying power. I like to pair one with a banana or other piece of fruit for an easy breakfast. They don’t have that chalky protein-powder flavor I notice in a lot of bars, and they’re made without artificial sweeteners, which I usually find overpowering. Instead, they’re sweetened with honey, dates and chocolate chips.” You can find Mush Bars at Target, Sprouts, and sometimes Costco.
Jessica Ball, M.S., RD and Christina Manian, MENV, RDN, are also a fans of Kind Bars. “I love that the protein bars have the texture of a more typical granola bar as compared to a chewier, thicker protein bar. The flavors are all great, and they’re lower in added sugar than most other alternatives,” said Ball. Manian agreed, adding that they are “super accessible and also largely made with whole food ingredients.”
Micah Siva, RD, shouted out her all-time favorite bar, the Aloha Protein Bar. “When I tasted them I was instantly hooked. I love the soft, chewy texture and inventive flavors. The chocolate mint flavor reminds me of Thin Mints, and are the perfect way to satisfy my cravings for something sweet, filling, and nourishing. I almost always have a bar in my bag.” Aloha Bars are plant-based and each contains an impressive 14 grams of protein and 10 grams of fiber.
No matter what bar you choose, you can rest assured that these picks are nutritionist-approved and will keep you satisfied.
Read the original article on Simply Recipes