We are constantly lectured to eat whole foods and have sit-down meals. But with our busy schedules, sometimes that just isn’t possible. You can’t always get organic veggies on the go when you are traveling. Have you ever tried to stuff kale in your Gucci sling?
Sometimes you may be stuck in meetings for hours without enough time to sit down and eat. Or you may be traveling and stuck in the middle of nowhere with no readily accessible healthy eats. So you need to know the best realistic alternative: protein bars. This post compares the best protein bars you can have as a backup.
Protein bars are needed “in case of emergency,” like breaking the glass to get the lifeline. So I have rounded up my top recommendations based on years of trying every protein bar that wasn’t nailed to the ground. You can scan the table below and then scroll down to see my additional insights on the brands.
Protein Bar Comparison Chart
| Brand | Popular Flavors | Nutrition Info | Ingredients | Taste and Texture | Availability | Optimal consumption scenario |
| Quest | Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, Double Chocolate Chunk, Strawberry Cheesecake, Cookies and Cream | 180-200 kcal, average of 20 g protein, 9g fat, 1g net carbs | Whey protein, both natural and artificial sweeteners and sugar alcohols | VERY Chewy and dessert-like. A little sticky, but becomes soft and cake-like when nuked for 10 seconds | On Quest Website, also Amazon, and basically any CVS or airport snack store | Post-workout, as a meal replacement, on a flight where spotty meal/snack service exists. Easily squished into a small purse/carry on. |
| Alani | Peanut Butter and Jelly, Rocky Road, Caramel Crunch | 200-220 kcal, 15g protein, 9g fat, 18g net carbs | Whey and soy-based protein, peanut or chocolate flavored coating | Juicy and satisfying because of coating – candy-bar like | On Alani website, Amazon, GNC | You want a savory, low-calorie snack (like a PayDay bar) and like seeing something that looks like the named flavor (i.e., you can see the jelly in the PB&J). Best breakfast subsitiute |
| Aloha | Coconut chocolate almond, Chocolate Mint Brownie, Vanilla Almond Crunch | 220-260kcal, 9-12g fat, 26g net cars, 5g addedsugar | Plant-based, organic ingredients | Chewy and flavorful, but not a lot of texture or additional chunks. Slightly sticky. | Online (you can actually get a variety pack), at GNC, at some drugstores, but more niche | You are trying to eat more organic/clean versus low calorie low carb and are hungry. You will eat in a few hours and are hungry, but don’t want to spoil your appetite |
| Atkins | Caramel chocolate nut roll, chocolate caramel pretzel | 180kcal, 7g protein, 12g fat, 7g net carbs | Peanuts, milk, whey protein, sugar alcohols and artificial sweeteners, | Delicious and gooey, with enough firmness but not sticky | Atkins website, most drugstores and grocery stores by the box | You want a Snickers or Milky Way real bad and low-cal and low-carb (not protein) is not a priority |
| Barebells | Banana Caramel, Salty Peanut, Caramel cashew | 200kcal, 8g fat, 20g protein, 12g net carbs, no added sugars | Milk proteins, natural ingredients, artificial sweeteners | Soft and dissolves quickly as you chew | On Barebell site, Amazon, GNC and in many international sports stores | You have sensitive teeth or crowns you don’t want to randomly pop off eating a bar |
| Built | Salted caramel, Churro, Peanut Butter Brownie | 130kcal, 2.5g 20g protein, 11g net carb, 17g protein, 4g added sugar, sugar alcohol | Whey protein, chocolate, no artificial sweeteners | Marshmallow-y : Each bar has “puff” under usually a chocolate coating | On Built site, at GNC stores | If you are old enough to remember Milky Way dark or really like the chocolate covered marshmallow easter eggs. Or just like marshmallows in general. I mean who doesn’t:) |
Protein Bars Unpacked
QUEST BARS
Quest Protein Bars have a unique texture that sets them apart from other brands. They are known for their chewiness, which some people love while others may find it slightly dense. They also have “chunks” of chocolate and the other flavors which make them taste like a real dessert especially when you warm in it the microwave for 10 seconds and have with a glass of milk. This also takes the chewiness out.
Available at: Quest Website
Barebells Protein Bars
These bars are widely available in Europe, which is great if you are traveling. They are also softer and more gooey than the Qiuest Bars. They have a crispy texture which makes them like 100 Grand Bars.
Available at the Barebells site.
Alani Nu protein bars
Alani Nu Protein Bars have impressive flavor varieties, like Birthday Cake, Peanut Butter Crisp, and Cookies N’ Cream. The flavors are rich and indulgent without being overwhelmingly sweet, making them a satisfying treat for any time of day. Notable also that their peanut butter and jelly has real jelly in it!
Available at Alani Nu site.
Built Puff Bars
If you like marshmallow and chocolate, this is your bar! The Built Bar boast high protein and low in sugar. It is less chewy and easier on the teeth.
It is quite reminiscent of the now almost discontinued Milky Way Dark.
Available at the BUILT Bar website .
Aloha Protein Bars
These bars are 100 percent organic, have a moderate protein content, and are sweet to eat. If you are leaning towards plant-based and trying to reduce your consumption of artificial sweeteners, this is for you. It has a lot of nuanced flavors, like Chocolate Caramel Pecan, Pumpkin Spice and Lemon Cashew.
Available at the Aloha Bar website.
Atkins bar
Another Keto/low carb friendly option, Atkins has been doing low-carb snacks for years so they have really perfected the flavor. The Caramel Chocolate Nut Roll bar is interchangeable with a Snickers.
Available at the Atkins bar website.
A Word of Caution
While protein bars are good as a backup, you don’t want to fall down the rabbit hole of having too many in a day, or making them a regular snack. They are MEAL REPLACEMENTS ONLY. Read my article below on how and why protein bars can sabotage your diet for more info:
