Protein Bars

pippywillow

I'm having a hard time eating a good breakfast in the morning lately. I know I feel better all morning when I start with some protein. I don't usually like processed food but I'm curious to try something different.

Does anyone have any recommendations for protein bars? Ones that actually have protein and good stuff in them that are tasty and will satisfy me for a few hours.

Francl27

IMO the healthiest ones out there are Quest bars, they have 20-21g of protein, 1-2g of sugar, and 17g of fiber. They're not the best tasting ones out there though, IMO, but I guess it's because the others are more like candy bars, lol.

Have you tried protein shakes? If I make one with protein powder, some yogurt and fruit, it typically keeps me full longer.

crandos

I like oats mix that with scoop protein n milk then microwave good brekky there

cebreisch

My husband likes Cliff Builder bars.

PosterPens

the 'pure protein' bars are awesome and HIGH in protein. their shakes in a can are my favorite too. 35g protein, 1g fat, 2 carbs and only around 160cals.

but another option is to have a CHOBANI yogurt for breakfast! ive had one EVERY DAY since ive started my weight loss. @140cals, 14g protein, 0 fat, 1g fiber, ~20g carbs. THEY ARE SO DELICIOUS!!! xx

Zylahe

I suggest u make your own, then u can control whats in them. It only takes 15 mins and they. Ill last f or a week or so.

Nina1007

I love Quest bars. Most are under 200 calories, they have 20 or more grams of protein and an awesome amount of fiber. My faves are the ones with the coconut, chocolate chip cookie dough, the brownie ones, and vanilla almond. I haven't had one that I thought was gross yet, but some are better then others. You can order them online and do a google search for free shipping so u don't have to pay for shipping thru the website. You can also order on amazon. I'm hearing GNC has begun selling them as well now.

Missjulesdid

IMO the healthiest ones out there are Quest bars, they have 20-21g of protein, 1-2g of sugar, and 17g of fiber. They're not the best tasting ones out there though, IMO, but I guess it's because the others are more like candy bars, lol.

Have you tried protein shakes? If I make one with protein powder, some yogurt and fruit, it typically keeps me full longer.

I have to second the Quest bars.. Lots of protein and fiber and also some fat.... all things I WANT in my diet.. Not a lot of sugars either. There's also no wheat in them which is great for me since I'm sensitive to wheat. YAY! I think they taste great.. not as great as say, a Snickers Marathon protein bar..... but you can guess why the Snicker's Marathon tastes better.

Another easy way I get protein in the morning is just toss a scoop of protein powder in my coffee with some real half and half. Just make sure the coffee is not too hot or the protein powder won't mix... I mix 6 ounces of coffee with 2 ounces of half and half then add the protein powder and stir... then add the other six ounces of coffee and it makes an awesome 16ish ounce tasty coffee drink with 27 grams of protein and under 200 calories.

pippywillow

Thanks everyone, lots of good suggestions here. I'm going to the grocery store after work today to see what they carry.

I'd really like to try making shakes, but I just don't want to drag out my blender every morning. I used to have a boiled egg every morning but a stupid fox ate my chickens. We got new chickens but it will be a few months before they start laying and I just can't bring myself to buy eggs. They're just not as tasty.

PosterPens

Thanks everyone, lots of good suggestions here. I'm going to the grocery store after work today to see what they carry.

I'd really like to try making shakes, but I just don't want to drag out my blender every morning. I used to have a boiled egg every morning but a stupid fox ate my chickens. We got new chickens but it will be a few months before they start laying and I just can't bring myself to buy eggs. They're just not as tasty.

highly recommend BLACK CHERRY chobani. MY FAVORITE!! also strawberry and blueberry are the bomb. sorry about your chickens thats so sad, but i do love foxes they are beautiful creatures. nature....

HMVOL7409

IMO the healthiest ones out there are Quest bars, they have 20-21g of protein, 1-2g of sugar, and 17g of fiber. They're not the best tasting ones out there though, IMO, but I guess it's because the others are more like candy bars, lol.

Have you tried protein shakes? If I make one with protein powder, some yogurt and fruit, it typically keeps me full longer.

I have to second the Quest bars.. Lots of protein and fiber and also some fat.... all things I WANT in my diet.. Not a lot of sugars either. There's also no wheat in them which is great for me since I'm sensitive to wheat. YAY! I think they taste great.. not as great as say, a Snickers Marathon protein bar..... but you can guess why the Snicker's Marathon tastes better.

Another easy way I get protein in the morning is just toss a scoop of protein powder in my coffee with some real half and half. Just make sure the coffee is not too hot or the protein powder won't mix... I mix 6 ounces of coffee with 2 ounces of half and half then add the protein powder and stir... then add the other six ounces of coffee and it makes an awesome 16ish ounce tasty coffee drink with 27 grams of protein and under 200 calories.

Do the coffee thing as well, but if you mix the protein with 4 oz water first you'll have no clumping issues.

HMVOL7409

Thanks everyone, lots of good suggestions here. I'm going to the grocery store after work today to see what they carry.

I'd really like to try making shakes, but I just don't want to drag out my blender every morning. I used to have a boiled egg every morning but a stupid fox ate my chickens. We got new chickens but it will be a few months before they start laying and I just can't bring myself to buy eggs. They're just not as tasty.

If your interested in Quest, they are not in grocery stores but in nutrition stores i.e. GNC whose ridiculously over priced but you'll be able to choose single bars and try the flavors.

gwenr

I picked up some think thin bars at the grocery store yesterday for when I'm in a time crunch 240 cal/9g fat/20g protein. The one I've tried so far (peanut butter) tasted pretty good. They do have sugar alcohols tho, so if you're sensitive to that they may not work for you.

LizAnn925

I'm going to be honest here. As a clean-eating hope-to-be bodybuilder, I am definitely not a fan of protein bars unless you make them yourself. I used to eat PowerBars all of the time with my mom who is a runner, but looking at the ingredients, they are really just candy bars with added protein. Most contain an immense amount of sugar and other questionable ingredients (PowerBars contain a whopping 26 grams of sugar...that is more than the daily recommendation for women!). I will not lie, I think that a PowerBar would be great right before you are about to run a half marathon or climb a mountain, but chances are, not all of us do that every day.

I highly recommend researching some recipes for making your own protein bars. Oxygen Magazine always contains great recipes like this. This way, you save money and you know EXACTLY what is going into your protein bars. Here is the link for a recipe to make chocolate goji berry protein bars. There are endless lists online of easy-to-make protein bars...some of them don't even require baking!

http://www.oxygenmag.com/nutrition/dark-chocolate-goji-protein-bars/

Also, why not start your day with a filling protein shake instead? I do this often and it is a great way to boost your system as soon as the day starts, not to mention it is quick and easy to make. You can add a cup of whatever leafy green you like (it won't taste like greens, it might just look green) such as spinach or kale, 1 cup of any fruit, 1 scoop of protein powder, and either a cup of water or almond/soy milk.

You can plan ahead small breakfasts ahead, too, that will be much healthier than the sugar-stuffed "protein bars." Today I had a slice of whole grain bread with 1 tablespoon of natural peanut better and 3/4 a plantain with my coffee. I must say that I am very full! On other days I will have a morning salad with kale, tomatoes, and avocados, but usually I just make a protein shake and I am satisfied. With the protein shakes, you can get a lot of nutrients depending on what you add into it. With store-bought protein bars, you aren't really getting as many fresh nutrients at all besides protein.

Hope this helps you out!

lottogirly

I usually have a top care chocolate protein shake in the morning with a vitamin supplement. I don't need a blender cause all I use is my shaker cup. (Any cup with a lid will do so you can shake it up and go!). It's pretty filling but I usually add eggs and such just cause I want something to eat too. I mainly started the shakes for the amino acids. I use top care which is only $11 at food city and its only 110 cals if you mix with water like I do. It's not for everyone but it works for me. I'm out right now and I can sure tell the difference in my day.

lottogirly

I usually have a top care chocolate protein shake in the morning with a vitamin supplement. I don't need a blender cause all I use is my shaker cup. (Any cup with a lid will do so you can shake it up and go!). It's pretty filling but I usually add eggs and such just cause I want something to eat too. I mainly started the shakes for the amino acids. I use top care which is only $11 at food city and its only 110 cals if you mix with water like I do. It's not for everyone but it works for me. I'm out right now and I can sure tell the difference in my day.

professorhuggins

I suggest u make your own, then u can control whats in them. It only takes 15 mins and they. Ill last f or a week or so.

this. here's a link to a great formula for making your own:
http://www.nomeatathlete.com/homemade-energy-bar-recipe/

aakaakaak

Pure Protein bars aren't bad. 20g of protein for about 200 calories or less. They almost taste like candy bars.

If you have some protein powder you can mix in half a scoop (slowly) with a container of plain chobani for about 30g of protein or more.

If you have an extra five minutes you can whip up some eggs. They're not as good if you nuke them, but they're pretty quick to cook.

JisatsuHoshi

Quest bars!

I own a box of every flavor...

MsMuniz

I love Quest bars. Most are under 200 calories, they have 20 or more grams of protein and an awesome amount of fiber. My faves are the ones with the coconut, chocolate chip cookie dough, the brownie ones, and vanilla almond. I haven't had one that I thought was gross yet, but some are better then others. You can order them online and do a google search for free shipping so u don't have to pay for shipping thru the website. You can also order on amazon. I'm hearing GNC has begun selling them as well now.

Where do you buy the Quest bars? I have been looking all over for them and can't find them in stores, just online.

Edit: If I had read your WHOLE post I would see that you said online or GNC, sorry!

99clmsntgr

I'll add my name to the Quest Bars list. I like the Cinnamon Roll and the Strawberry Shortcake ones. The lemon ones are "meh." At 20g protein and only 170 calories, they're pretty efficient little guys (makes me wonder how they do it, but I'll decide to not play Pandora on that box). As for where to buy them...teh intarwebz!!! http://www.questproteinbar.com/

I'll also throw out PR Nutrition's chocolate mint bars. If you like Girl Scout Thin Mint cookies....OMFGWTFBBQ. That's all I have to say about that.

southerndream24

I agree with everyone who said Quest Bars. They're awesome high in protein, minimal sugar, no wheat. and they aren't filled with all that super artificial crap. Plus, they taste good. I love the Peanut Butter Chocolate and chocolate brownie. I keep them in my purse, in my desk at work, and in my gym bag just in case I need something to tie me over.

You can find them at Vitamin Shoppe or GNC. The price is better at Vitamin Shoppe though. If you don't have either of those in your area, you can also order them online.

GetSoda

Quest and Life lift are the only bars not full of garbage.

That said, you're paying $2.50-2.70 a bar for 30 cents worth of whey powder and a scoop of fiber.

kimmymayhall

I suggest u make your own, then u can control whats in them. It only takes 15 mins and they. Ill last f or a week or so.

this. here's a link to a great formula for making your own:
http://www.nomeatathlete.com/homemade-energy-bar-recipe/

That is a great link, thank you! I've been making some yummy banana chocolate chip protein bars lately but looking to change it up a bit. I've never tried beans in bars before, but am intrigued.

OP, I understand the convenience of buying protein bars and still do it sometimes but if you've got a little extra time I really recommend making your own. Put exactly what you want in them and they are far less expensive. There are lots of recipes available online.

cupcakes_and_cardio

I don't really eat protein bars, just the shakes, but I did try to the detour protein bars and they were pretty good, probably one of the better ones I've tasted. Here's the site: http://www.detourbar.com/products/caramel-peanut-1.html

granitendirt

this. here's a link to a great formula for making your own:
http://www.nomeatathlete.com/homemade-energy-bar-recipe/

lol. I read that as "nom eat athlete".

JisatsuHoshi

I don't really eat protein bars, just the shakes, but I did try to the detour protein bars and they were pretty good, probably one of the better ones I've tasted. Here's the site: http://www.detourbar.com/products/caramel-peanut-1.html

Just be careful with the over sized bars. Their sugar alcohol content is fairly high which can give you the runs... own several boxes of the smaller versions because of that... Ha!

99clmsntgr

I don't really eat protein bars, just the shakes, but I did try to the detour protein bars and they were pretty good, probably one of the better ones I've tasted. Here's the site: http://www.detourbar.com/products/caramel-peanut-1.html

Just be careful with the over sized bars. Their sugar alcohol content is fairly high which can give you the runs... own several boxes of the smaller versions because of that... Ha!

Or do what I do -- cut them in half. The MetRX Colossal bars (whichever ones are in the 400-410 calorie range) make 2 snacks.

xstarxdustx

IMO the healthiest ones out there are Quest bars, they have 20-21g of protein, 1-2g of sugar, and 17g of fiber. They're not the best tasting ones out there though, IMO, but I guess it's because the others are more like candy bars, lol.

Have you tried protein shakes? If I make one with protein powder, some yogurt and fruit, it typically keeps me full longer.

Agreed, or you could try making your own. The Nature Valley Protein bars are delicious, but have more calories and half the amount of protein the Quest ones do.....