Protein Bars

Hi Everyone!
Hope you all are having a great day. I've searched the forums and haven't found exactly what I'm looking for on this subject. I know there are postings on protein bars but my question is....

Which bars that are commercially made are the best/healthiest? Any opinions on taste as well??

Any opinions or information would be helpful. I have a hard time getting in the protein that I would like to get per day and don't always care for the powders....

Thanks for any input!!

~Beth:happy:
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Replies

  • wolfpack77
    wolfpack77 Posts: 655
    I tried a lot of them out there and eventually gave up on the commercial ones because of the cost and ingredients list. Theres so many preservatives, chemicals and junk in those bars... i just stopped buying them and switched to a homemade recipe. Theres quite a few of them out there and they are high quality, cost effective and at least you know whats in them :smile:

    They're mostly made from whey protein, peanut butter, oats, cinnamon, honey, dark chocolate etc. Whole foods. And much better than drinking shakes if you dont like the taste of the powder.
  • brewitzer
    brewitzer Posts: 25 Member
    Nice! Thanks for the idea! Do you have a specific recipe? I'll check on google also.....
  • SparkleHorse224
    SparkleHorse224 Posts: 98 Member
    Alton Brown did a fantastic protein bar recipe on "Good Eats." Here is a link.

    http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/protein-bars-recipe/index.html

    On the same show he did a granola bar: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/granola-bars-recipe/index.html
  • Gunnoe22
    Gunnoe22 Posts: 4 Member
    This is a good one: Perfectly Simple Zone Bar - Peanut Crunch. It only has six ingredients and tastes great!
  • mamasmaltz3
    mamasmaltz3 Posts: 1,111 Member
    Bump
  • gloriapiz55
    gloriapiz55 Posts: 73 Member
    My fave is Supreme Protein - Peanut Butter & Jelly bar.. so yum! I get the small bar, 1.75oz which has 15g of protein. You can get these in local stores, I've found them at Target, a box of 6 for $6.99

    Another big fave of mine are the Quest Protein Bars http://www.questproteinbar.com/

    They are:

    Gluten Free
    Low Carb
    No sugar alcohol
    No Glycerine
    No junk ingredients

    You can only get them online, they sell individual bars for $2.39 so you can try all the flavors and see what you like, a whole box of 1 flavor is $24.99.
  • I recently discovered "Arctic Zero" it's not a protein bar, but it's "ice cream" made of whey protein and it is only 150 cal per pint! They sell it at Whole foods, great post workout snack!
  • astheygrowup
    astheygrowup Posts: 188 Member
    I don't use them a lot but always keep the CLIF Builder Bars on hand for those just in case moments. The peanut butter is my favorite
  • jenniferstanton
    jenniferstanton Posts: 132 Member
    I just found some called the simply bar. The chocolate peanut butter doesn't have many ingredients. What I also liked is that they are low in carbohydrates. Only 9, i believe. It keeps me full for awhile.
  • RachelLovitt
    RachelLovitt Posts: 35 Member
    I mix equal parts honey, protein powder, and natural peanut, almond, or cashew butter together. I spread it in a glass dish and freeze it. Then I cut it into bars. I put them in baggies and store them in the freezer or the fridge.
  • orishp
    orishp Posts: 214 Member
    Iike the pure protein ones, they taste good ( a little chewy) and they are low in sugar and carbs. I like the peanut butter and the revolution flavors
  • ChristyRunStarr
    ChristyRunStarr Posts: 1,600 Member
    I'll do Clif bars sometimes (I like the peanut butter ones, tried the white chocolate chip ones and they're almost too sweet for me, at least in the morning after my run). I've been searching online but not really finding much of what I feel like I want-I find that most have more calories than I want for a bar but I love the idea of making your own, I hadn't thought of that!
  • bemott
    bemott Posts: 180
    http://www.larabar.com/products/larabar
    These are healthy and yummy though more calories than I like to eat in one bar.
  • I use the Pure Protein ones, the chocolate deluxe taste's like a chewy brownie.
  • Wenchilada
    Wenchilada Posts: 472 Member
    My fave is Supreme Protein - Peanut Butter & Jelly bar.. so yum! I get the small bar, 1.75oz which has 15g of protein. You can get these in local stores, I've found them at Target, a box of 6 for $6.99

    Another big fave of mine are the Quest Protein Bars http://www.questproteinbar.com/

    They are:

    Gluten Free
    Low Carb
    No sugar alcohol
    No Glycerine
    No junk ingredients

    You can only get them online, they sell individual bars for $2.39 so you can try all the flavors and see what you like, a whole box of 1 flavor is $24.99.

    I would also recommend the Quest bars. I only found out about them through a local nutrition store - they looked intriguing, so I asked the clerk if they were any good - and he gave me a free sample. I order mine through Amazon now. I have only tried Apple Pie & Strawberry Cheesecake so far, but both are tasty. I always drink a big glass of ice water (or iced coffee, heh) with mine, as they can be exceptionally chewy and a little dry.
  • marie_8888
    marie_8888 Posts: 15 Member
    bump
  • xshortiex
    xshortiex Posts: 120 Member
    Bump for the recipes, thanks!
  • apriltrainer
    apriltrainer Posts: 732 Member
    I actually love the VPX pumpkin supreme bars....Not the healthiest option out there..but for a treat I like it.

    I also love the chemically taste of METRX bars...

    I know...I am Wierd!
  • ZeroWoIf
    ZeroWoIf Posts: 588 Member
    Protein bars are pretty shady.There are some legit ones out there but be careful with the sugar alcohol content in some.
  • jillybeanruns
    jillybeanruns Posts: 1,420 Member
    I have never bought a protein bar, as I'm sponsored by an energy bar company.

    Buttt I do really like/love these. Easy peasy.

    Bake at 350 for 20-30 minutes

    1/4 tsp baking soda
    1 tsp baking powder
    2 Tbsp extra virgin coconut oil
    3 scoops chocolate protein powder
    2 tbsp cocoa powder
    1 15 oz can 100% pure pumpkin
    3 scoops vanilla protein powder

    Stats vary depending on protein powder:)

    12 servings (~3/4 x 1inch)

    92 calories/11g protein/4g fat/2g fiber
  • jamie1888
    jamie1888 Posts: 1,704 Member
    My fave is Supreme Protein - Peanut Butter & Jelly bar.. so yum! I get the small bar, 1.75oz which has 15g of protein. You can get these in local stores, I've found them at Target, a box of 6 for $6.99

    Another big fave of mine are the Quest Protein Bars http://www.questproteinbar.com/

    They are:

    Gluten Free
    Low Carb
    No sugar alcohol
    No Glycerine
    No junk ingredients

    You can only get them online, they sell individual bars for $2.39 so you can try all the flavors and see what you like, a whole box of 1 flavor is $24.99.

    I would also recommend the Quest bars. I only found out about them through a local nutrition store - they looked intriguing, so I asked the clerk if they were any good - and he gave me a free sample. I order mine through Amazon now. I have only tried Apple Pie & Strawberry Cheesecake so far, but both are tasty. I always drink a big glass of ice water (or iced coffee, heh) with mine, as they can be exceptionally chewy and a little dry.

    Yes, QUEST BARS!! Hands down the healthiest, cleanest bar on the market! There is nothing else like them!!
    You can buy online and now available at Vitamin Shoppe's and other small, smart health stores!
  • mandypizzle
    mandypizzle Posts: 633 Member
    I make my own out of choc protein powder, pb, raw honey and oatmeal. I would LOVE some more recipes! The only ones I buy are Lara bars. They are very pure and delicious!
  • chocolateandpb
    chocolateandpb Posts: 438 Member
    I recently made Jamie Eason's Pumpkin Protein Bars are really liked them. However, they turned funky after 3-4 days in an airtight container left on my countertop, so next time I make them I'm going to store them in the freezer and just take out a couple each day to eat.

    Here's a link to the recipe:

    http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/jamie-easons-livefit-recipes-pumpkin-protein-bars.html

    I added a half a cup of dark chocolate chips, because I'm a chocoholic and I love the combination of pumpkin and chocolate together.
  • i just bought these...... Forward Foods Detour 45 g Cookie Dough Caramel Crisp Whey Protein Snack Bars

    theyre really nice, sweet and really really filling. i was a bit wary after hearing so many yuk stories about protein bars but these are good
  • LovesAdventure
    LovesAdventure Posts: 66 Member
    I like kind bars. Not exactly marketed as a protein bar, but packed with healthy nuts and fruits and no artificial ingredients.
  • jamie1888
    jamie1888 Posts: 1,704 Member
    Seriously, if you are looking to buy a protein bar and not have to make your own, Quest Bars have the best nutritional profile out there. And they are eaten by fitness competitors and body builders right up to and through competition. Trust me, they would NEVER eat a Cliff Bar, Luna Bar, Pure Protein, etc close to comp time because they are filled with JUNK!!! Do the research and Quest will be the clear the choice!
  • hastinbe
    hastinbe Posts: 130 Member
    I have to second gpatorres's suggestion of Quest protein bars, but they are fairly expensive at almost $2 per bar. My local Nutrition Zone offers discount when you buy a complete box which ends up being cheaper than buying from online retailers like Amazon.

    I also have made my own protein bars using a recipe I found online. It goes something like this:

    1c peanut butter (Jif)
    1c oats (Quaker)
    1.5c protein powder (I used ON cookies and cream flavored casein)
    4 tbsp honey

    It totals about
    ===========
    2600 calories
    138.5g fat
    191.5g carb
    174g protein

    Then depending on how you cut them:
    10 bars
    ======
    260 calories
    14g fat
    19g carb
    17.5g protein


    8 bars
    ======
    325 calories
    17g fat
    24g carb
    22g protein
  • StormyGal8
    StormyGal8 Posts: 184 Member
    I have had a few cheap bars, and then last night I had one that I quite liked. It was an Isoflex, in a blue package. I believe it was Chocolate Peanut butter fudge or something like that, it almost had a coffee taste to it. It also contains 30g of protein, and 330 calories.

    I think I will be buying these ones from now on.
  • lauren3382
    lauren3382 Posts: 372 Member
    If and when I buy a "protein" bar, I stick with Larabars. From what I've found, they are about as minimally processed as you can get from a pre-packaged food. But, they tend to have more sugar (albeit natural) than I like to eat and they generally don't have as much protein as I need. They are pretty simple to make yourself too :)
  • gavini
    gavini Posts: 248 Member
    i love the clif and the odwalla bars but it seems they have so much sugar in them, going to research some of the suggestions in this thred