14 of the Best Protein Bars to Stock Up On Right Now, According to The Experts Are Protein Bars Healthy? What Should I Look For? One easy way to decipher what’s really inside your protein bar is to take a look at the ingredients on the reverse of the wrapper. In an ideal world, the majority of ingredients will be natural and, secondly, you’ll be able to recognise them. Think whey protein, nuts, seeds, milk, pea protein (v), soy (v) and egg, for starters. A lot of protein bars, especially in vegan products, contain high amounts of fibre, helping support a healthy gut. However, some protein bars pack a surprisingly high sugar content, which can be delivered in a synthetic form of sugar or sweeteners, such as polydextrose or maltitol. “When you’re looking for protein bars it’s important to consider the amount of saturated fats in each bar. Bars which contain more than 5g per 100g is considered high in saturated fats,” explains Jenna Hope, (ANutr), MSc, BSc (Hons). “Additionally, whilst these bars are a convenient source of protein, many of them (but not all) are made using artificial and highly processed ingredients.” Are Protein Bars Good for Weight Loss? If you’re looking to lose weight, even the best protein bars could be both helpful and detrimental. To drop the kilos, you need to burn more calories than you’re consuming. Generally speaking, this means you’ll be eating smaller portions and cutting on the snacks. The majority of protein bars sit at around 200kcal with around 22-25g of protein per hit, which, for some guys, is a significant amount of calories for a single serving of protein. A tin of tuna, a chicken breast, two large eggs or a scoop of protein would provide a similar hit of the muscle-builder with fewer calories. On the flipside, some protein bars are marketed as ‘meal replacement bars’, which can be eaten in place of a full meal, helping you eat fewer calories at mealtimes. It is, of course, down to preference. “Whilst protein can aid satiety and leave you feeling fuller for longer, weight loss comes down to overall diet,” says Hope. When Should I Eat a Protein Bar? There’s no right (or wrong) time to eat a protein bar, as they’re products made for convenience. Hope explains that protein bars "should be viewed as a convenient protein source or an alternative to a chocolate bar rather than a healthy snack,” explains Hope. “The artificial sweeteners can also contribute to cravings for sweet foods. Where possible opt for protein bars which contain fibre and natural ingredients. Note: as with any supplement that you're using to help achieve your fitness goals – protein bars, powders etc – remember they are just that, supplements, and you will always get more nutritional value from real foods. Men’s Health Lab Approved Protein bars stamped with the esteemed Men’s Health Lab Approved logo below have been put to the test by our panel of fitness enthusiasts and experts. They tried a variety of protein bars to find those that deliver on both nutrition and flavour. Following a four-week trial period, testers provided in-depth feedback on taste, aroma, texture, ease of use, ingredients and how the protein bars affected their energy levels and performance in the gym. The remaining protein bars on our list have been selected by Hope and Hobson, who know what to look for and what to avoid in a pre- or post-workout protein treat. ▲Barebells Protein Bar: White Salty Peanut ▲The Protein Works Protein Grazers: Salted Caramel ▲Fulfil Vitamin & Protein Bar: Chocolate Salted Caramel ▲Decathlon High Protein Bar: Chocolate & Nuts ▲Optimum Nutrition Fruit & Nut Protein Crisp ▲Grenade Protein Bar: Peanut Butter & Jelly ▲Foodspring Extra Chocolate Protein Bar: Double Chocolate Cashew ▲OTE Sports Ltd Protein Bar: Peanut Caramel ▲RXBAR: Chocolate Sea Salt ▲The Protein Works Ridiculous Vegan Protein Bar ▲Myprotein Xtra Protein Bar: Chocolate Orange ▲SCI-MX Nutrition High Protein Brownie: Chocolate ▲Tribe Choc Peanut Butter Protein Bar ▲PhD Nutrition Smart Bar: Cookies & Cream Source : https://www.menshealth.com/uk/nutrition/g34643127/best-protein-bars/