The 15 Healthiest Protein Bars You Can Buy on Amazon
While we know we should be getting our protein from whole food sources like chicken, steak, lentils or even nutritional yeast, sometimes (let’s face it) we’re just too damn busy. Those times, we turn to protein bars. But all bars are not created equal: Many of the options on grocery-store shelves are nothing more than glorified candy bars. (Yikes.) That’s why we combed through ingredient lists and nutritional information to find the healthiest protein bars on the market right now. First, we looked at the ingredient lists: The more ingredients we couldn’t pronounce, the less chance a bar had of being up to our standards. Nutrition-wise, we stuck to these guidelines:
- At least 8 grams of protein
- No more than 14 grams of sugar
- At least 3 grams of fiber
From there, we determined that these 15 bars are your best bet if you’re looking for a quick protein fix. Oh, and did we mention you can order them all on Amazon?
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1. RXBar Chocolate Sea Salt Protein Bar (12 Pack)
- Protein: 10g
- Sugar: 9g
- Fiber: 10g
- Fat: 9g
- Carbs: 31g
- Calories: 210
The beauty of these tasty bars is that they’re very transparent when it comes to ingredients. As in, they’re listed right on the front of the packaging. This chocolate sea salt flavor is made with 100 percent real chocolate, egg whites for protein, nuts for texture and dates to bind everything together. The result? Something that tastes more like a dessert than pre-workout fuel.
2. ThinkThin Protein & Superfruit Coconut Almond Bar (9 Pack)
- Protein: 12g
- Sugar: 13g
- Fiber: 5g
- Fat: 12g
- Carbs: 24g
- Calories: 260
3. DNX Grass-Fed Beef & Uncured Bacon Jalapeno Bar (12 Pack)
- Protein: 14g
- Sugar: 1g
- Fiber: 0g*
- Fat: 9g
- Carbs: 1g
- Calories: 140
*Oh, and we know this one doesn’t quite hit the fiber goal, but it makes up for it in low-cal, low-sugar and high-protein stats.
4. GoMacro Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip MacroBars (12 Pack)
- Protein: 11g
- Sugar: 14g
- Fiber: 2g
- Fat: 11g
- Carbs: 39g
- Calories: 290
5. Keto Bars Dark Chocolate Coconut Almond Protein Bar (10 Pack)
- Protein: 6g
- Sugar: 1g
- Fiber: 7g
- Fat: 20g
- Carbs: 3g
- Calories: 230
6. Exo Chocolate Fudge Brownie Protein Bars (12 Pack)
- Protein: 16g
- Sugar: 7g
- Fiber: 16g
- Fat: 9g
- Carbs: 26g
- Calories: 210
7. Julian Bakery Pegan Thin Protein Bars (12 Pack)
- Protein: 20g
- Sugar: 1g
- Fiber: 23g
- Fat: 6g
- Carbs: 2g
- Calories: 150
8. ATLAS KETO CHOCOLATE CACAO PROTEIN BAR (10 PACK)
- Protein: 16g
- Sugar: 3g
- Fiber: 11g
- Fat: 11g
- Carbs: 9g
- Calories: 210
9. Epic All Natural Chicken Sesame BBQ Meat Bar (12 Pack)
- Protein: 15g
- Sugar: 3g
- Fiber: 2g
- Fat: 6g
- Carbs: 5g
- Calories: 120
10. IQ Bar Chocolate Sea Salt Brain Food Bar (12 Pack)
- Protein: 11g
- Sugar: 1g
- Fiber: 8g
- Fat: 10g
- Carbs: 4g
- Calories: 160
11. Primal Kitchen Macadamia Sea Salt Collagen Fuel Bar (12 Pack)
- Protein: 14g
- Sugar: 3g
- Fiber: 9g
- Fat: 13g
- Carbs: 14g
- Calories: 200
12. Rise Almond Honey Whey Protein Bar (12 Pack)
- Protein: 20g
- Sugar: 11g
- Fiber: 4g
- Fat: 16g
- Carbs: 20g
- Calories: 280
13. zing Dark Chocolate Coconut bar (12 pack)
- Protein: 10g
- Sugar: 9g
- Fiber: 7g
- Fat: 11g
- Carbs: 24g
- Calories: 210
14. oatmega white chocolate raspberry bar (12 pack)
- Protein: 14g
- Sugar: 5g
- Fiber: 7g
- Fat: 7g
- Carbs: 22g
- Calories: 200
15. kind protein caramel nut bar (12 pack)
- Protein: 12g
- Sugar: 8g
- Fiber: 5g
- Fat: 17g
- Carbs: 18g
- Calories: 240
NOT MUCH OF A BAR PERSON? TRY THESE HEALTHY PROTEIN POWDERS
Protein powders—which can be mixed with water, added to smoothies or even used in baked goods—are another great way to up your protein intake quickly. But when you think “protein powder,” you might think about hulking bros wearing muscle tees. Luckily, it’s 2020, and some companies are realizing that the market for protein powders is much more diverse. The first step toward inclusion? Making cleaner protein powders that don’t contain any animal products. Yep, they’re totally vegan and plant-based. Here, four of the buzziest you can buy right now.
1. ALOHA VANILLA PLANT-BASED PROTEIN POWDER
With 18 grams of protein per serving, Aloha’s powders are absolute powerhouses. They’re also low in calories (150 per serving) and sugar (4 grams per serving). This not-too-sweet option is made with organic hemp seed protein, organic pumpkin seed protein and organic pea protein. Plus, it’s made without artificial sweeteners, GMO ingredients, soy or gluten. Wins all around.
2. WelleCo NOURISHING PROTEIN CHOCOLATE FLAVOUR
OK, we’ll get this out of the way up front: This protein powder is about as bougie as they come. Australian company WelleCo was cofounded by former supermodel Elle Macpherson and has quickly become a hit among Lululemon-clad SoulCycle enthusiasts. This is a plant-based powder made from all-natural ingredients that can be mixed with water, coconut water or smoothies. It’s a combination of brown rice and pea protein that provides all nine essential amino acids needed for recovery post-workout. Yes, it’s expensive, but it also comes very highly recommended by our most fabulous fitness friends.
3. APRÈS post-workout drink (12 pack)
Unlike the rest of the proteins on this list, Après isn’t technically a protein powder. It’s a vegan post-workout drink that combines plant-based proteins, virgin coconut oil and coconut water. The chicly packaged beverage comes in three delicious-sounding flavors (mint chocolate, chai spiced vanilla and sea salt chocolate) and is available as a subscription via the Après site.
4. Nutiva Hemp Protein Powder
Made from raw hemp seeds, Nutiva’s powder contains 15 grams of protein per serving, as well as all 20 amino acids (including the nine essentials recommended for post-workout). It’s also vegan, certified organic and non-GMO, as well as a great source of essential fatty acids and dietary fiber. Unlike non-organic, soy-based protein powders, it’s gently cold-pressed without hexane, a chemical solvent. It is a bit bland tasting, though, so you might want to blend it into a smoothie with some more flavorful mix-ins.
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