Key Takeaways<\/p>\n
Protein bars have been everywhere for a while now, and they promise quick energy<\/a> and easy nutrition. But once you flip a bar over and read the ingredient list<\/a>, many start to look more problematic, whether it\u2019s the added sugars, fillers, or ultra-processed ingredients that don\u2019t actually keep you full.\n<\/p>\n To make sense of the many options out there, we asked registered dietitians what matters when choosing a protein bar, and whether any store-bought option actually checks all the boxes. After reviewing dozens of popular brands, three dietitians all pointed to the same bar as the only one they would consistently recommend. Here\u2019s why this specific protein bar deserves a spot in your gym bag.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n What to Look for When Buying a Protein Bar <\/p>\n Before you even get to brands or flavors, dietitians recommend familiarizing yourself with what actually makes a protein bar worth buying in the first place. Here are the main factors to consider.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n Balanced Protein Content <\/p>\n It makes sense that you should consider the protein type<\/a> and ratio before anything else. \u201cYou really want to look at the protein content,\u201d says Destini Moody, RDN, LD, a registered dietitian nutritionist, board-certified sports nutrition specialist, and founder of The Athlete\u2019s Dietitian. A protein bar should have at least 10 grams of protein<\/a>, according to Moody, and the higher the calories, the more protein the bar should have.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n If a bar is mostly protein, Kat Benson, RDN, LD, a registered dietitian nutritionist and digestive health expert for VNutrition, says it can be helpful to pair it with a carbohydrate source, like a piece of fruit, to make it more nutritionally complete.<\/p>\n Ideal Calorie Count <\/p>\n \u201cIf the bar is high in calories but not adding much protein, that\u2019s a red flag that you are consuming calories from fats and sugars, which defeats the purpose of a protein bar,\u201d says Moody. If you find yourself looking at something like that, Moody thinks it\u2019s better that you just eat a small meal instead. \u201cThat way, at least you\u2019re getting some nutrition out of it, and something that’s more satisfying rather than eating 300+ calories in four bites,\u201d she says.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n Minimal Added Sugars <\/p>\n You want a bar with minimal added sugars, ideally from whole-food sources, not syrups, artificial sweeteners<\/a>, sugar alcohols, or highly processed additives. \u201cBe wary of protein bars that are really just glorified candy bars with some protein sprinkled in. At the end of the day, you are eating them to supplement your protein intake, not necessarily to satisfy a sweet tooth,\u201d says Moody.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n Short Ingredient Lists <\/p>\n A short, recognizable ingredient list is a must for Jennifer Scherer, RDN, a registered dietitian nutritionist, certified personal trainer, and owner of Fredericksburg Fitness Studio. A good balance of protein, fiber<\/a>, and healthy fats<\/a> to support satiety is also a plus.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n But Scherer likes to remind people that protein bars are a convenience food, not a replacement for real meals\u2014they\u2019re best used to supplement a balanced diet, not as a daily staple. \u201cIf you\u2019re at a gas station or on-the-go and want a more whole-food option, I\u2019d recommend skipping the bar and choosing things like a couple hard-boiled eggs<\/a>, plain Greek yogurt, roasted edamame or nuts, or cottage cheese<\/a>.\u201d Whole foods will give you a better protein quality, fewer additives, and more satiety than from most bars.\n<\/p>\n The Healthiest Protein Bar <\/p>\n As far as what to buy in the protein bar aisle, there was a clear winner among the dietitians we consulted. \u201cFrom a nutrition and health standpoint, I tend to favor whole-food\u2013based protein bars with short ingredient lists,\u201d says Scherer. \u201cOne brand I consistently recommend is RXBAR. I like that the ingredients are very transparent (egg whites, nuts, dates), the protein comes from a complete source<\/a>, and there are no artificial sweeteners or fillers.\u201d\n<\/p>\n These dense bars are especially helpful for athletes, who often need quick, sustainable fuel sources. \u201cWhen I worked in college athletics, RXBAR bars were my favorite brand to come into the rotation at the fueling stations where athletes would stop by for snacks,\u201d says Moody. \u201cThe transparent ingredient list that\u2019s right on the front sent a strong message to athletes who needed to fuel their bodies with clean, whole protein sources, but who didn\u2019t want to just eat boiled eggs and chicken breast<\/a> all the time.\u201d\u00a0\n<\/p>\n Credit: <\/p>\n RXBAR<\/p>\n Moody likes that egg whites<\/a> are the main source of protein, because she says eggs are known to be \u201carguably the highest quality source of dietary protein, with its rich amino acid profile and high level of digestibility when compared to other protein sources.\u201d\n<\/p>\n The nutrient ratio is spot on, too. \u201c<\/strong>I love RXBAR because they offer a balanced blend of carbohydrates<\/a>, protein, and fat, which helps provide both quick and sustained energy<\/a>,\u201d says Benson, who also spoke on the minimal, recognizable ingredients, and the use of egg whites and nuts<\/a>.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n Best RX Bar Flavors <\/p>\n There are a handful of RXBAR options, and your favorite will likely depend on personal preference. One thing you can count on is that the bars are going to taste more like real food, but the texture is a bit chewier than other options on the market.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n The winning flavor for dietitians is the Blueberry bar, because it\u2019s a flavor that\u2019s hard to come by. \u201cTo create a blueberry<\/a> taste in most protein bars, artificial flavors are usually used, and it doesn\u2019t take a strong palate to detect it\u2019s not the real deal,\u201d says Moody. \u201cWith RXBAR, however, you can visibly see the actual blueberries that give the bar its flavor, and it\u2019s sweetened with dates<\/a> rather than sugar alcohols or refined sugar.\u201d\n<\/p>\n A couple of honorable flavor mentions:\u00a0\n<\/p>\n\n
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