Since they first hit the market, protein bars have become very popular and a go-to food for many people due to their nutritional values and convenience. They can benefit different types of users, especially for those who want to lose weight and build muscles.
With that in mind, choosing the right protein bars for yourself is very important to get the best outcome for your purpose.
That’s why we have compiled a complete guide on finding the best protein bars for weight loss and muscle gain.
Here are the best protein bars for weight loss and muscle gain you can buy in 2024:
- Low-Carb Friendly: Quest Nutrition High Protein, Low Carb, Gluten-Free, Keto Friendly
- Keto-Friendly: XBAR, Peanut Butter Chocolate, Protein Bar
- Best For Pre-Workout: think! (thinkThin) High Protein Bars
- Best For Post-Workout: ProtiWise Fluffy Vanilla Crisp Bars
- Best For Vegetarians: Orgain Organic Plant Based Protein Bar
- Best For Digestive Issues: No Cow Protein Bars
- Gluten-Free: ONE Protein Bars
- Soy-Free: Rise Whey Protein Bars
- Tastiest: FITCRUNCH Protein Bars
- Chewy: Pure Protein Bars
- Soft: MusclePharm Organic Plant-Based Protein Bar
- Crunchy: Detour Lean Muscle Whey Protein Bar
| 12 Best Protein Bars For Weight Loss And Muscle Gain | ||
|---|---|---|
Low-Carb Friendly | Quest Nutrition High Protein, Low Carb, Gluten-Free, Keto Friendly | |
Keto-Friendly | XBAR, Peanut Butter Chocolate, Protein Bar | |
Best For Pre-Workout | think! (thinkThin) High Protein Bars | |
Best For Post-Workout | ProtiWise Fluffy Vanilla Crisp Bars | |
Best For Vegetarians | Orgain Organic Plant Based Protein Bar | |
Best For Digestive Issues | No Cow Protein Bars | |
Gluten-Free | ONE Protein Bars | |
Soy-Free | Rise Whey Protein Bars | |
Tastiest | FITCRUNCH Protein Bars | |
Chewy | Pure Protein Bars | |
Soft | MusclePharm Organic Plant-Based Protein Bar | |
Crunchy | Detour Lean Muscle Whey Protein Bar | |
Low-Carb Friendly: Quest Nutrition High Protein, Low Carb, Gluten-Free, Keto Friendly
- Keto-friendly – contain only 4 grams of net carbs
- Good for weight loss – no added sugars
- Provide your body with a more complete macro profile - 14 grams of fiber
- All flavors actually taste pretty similar
This protein bar contains 21 grams of total carbs (4 grams of net carbs and 17 grams of dietary fiber) so it’s Keto-friendly. A special thing about it is there’s no added sugar. The ingredients to create flavors for this bar are brownies and peanut butter.
14 grams of fiber is key to keep you full longer while providing your body with a better macro profile.
| Quest Nutrition High Protein, Low Carb, Gluten-Free, Keto Friendly Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 2.12 Ounce |
Ingredients | dairy-based proteins, soluble corn fiber, peanuts, almond, cocoa, etc. |
Grams of Protein per Serving | 20g |
Servings per Container | 2g of sugar 6g net carbs 20g protein 14g fiber 180 calories, |
Highlight Features | contain only 4 grams of net carbs no added sugars 14 grams of fiber |
If you’re looking for a great product for low-carb snacking, then the Quest Nutrition- High Protein, Low Carb, Gluten-Free, Keto Friendly is worth considering.
Keto-Friendly: XBAR, Peanut Butter Chocolate, Protein Bar
- Keto-friendly - gluten-free & no B.S or preservatives
- Efficiently calm your hunger – contain 210 calories/bar
- Not for people who don’t like eating oddly textured foods
- Not for people allergic to eggs or peanut
Not only delicious but the XBAR Peanut Butter Chocolate Protein Bar is also friendly for people who are on a Keto diet.
It is gluten-free and contains no B.S; the ingredients are pretty simple to make a quick check. You’ll get 210 calories per bar, which is perfect to calm your hunger during main meals or pre/post workouts.
For those who are fond of chocolate with peanut butter, this is definitely a must-try.
| XBAR, Peanut Butter Chocolate, Protein Bar Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 1.83 Ounces |
Ingredients | egg whites, 100% chocolate, peanuts, figs, almonds, Blueberries, Dates |
Grams of Protein per Serving | 12g |
Servings per Container | Fat: 7g Carb/fiber/sugar: 26/6/17g Protein: 12g Cal: 210/60 from fat |
Highlight Features | gluten-free & no B.S or preservatives contain 210 calories/bar |
Whether you’re a Keto dieter or interested in a lifestyle change or fitness, protein bars like the XBAR are truly important.
Best For Pre-Workout: think! (thinkThin) High Protein Bars
- Great for muscle recovery and support lean muscle – contain 20 grams of protein
- Taste good & low sugar - no sugar or artificial sweeteners
- Reliable - KOSHER, GMO-FREE*, and GLUTEN FREE certifications
- Very dense
Offering wholly 20 grams of protein, this bar is a should for those who want something multipurpose and nutritional that can be their energy-boosting snack for pre-workout.
It includes 9 grams of fat, 22 grams of carbs, and 240 calories, which is good for muscle recovery and supports lean muscle. While tasting good, it’s amazing that this protein bar has no sugar or artificial sweeteners, which is diabetic-friendly.
It also meets standards of KOSHER, GMO-FREE*, and GLUTEN FREE.
| think! (thinkThin) High Protein Bars Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 2.1 Ounces |
Ingredients | Tapioca Starch, Sodium Caseinate, Lecithin, Peanut Oil, Peanut Flour, Chocolate, Sunflower Oil, Cocoa Butter, Peanuts, Vegetable Glycerin, Maltitol Syrup, Protein Blend |
Grams of Protein per Serving | 20g |
Servings per Container | 240 calories 20 g protein 22 carbs 9g fat |
Highlight Features | contain 20 grams of protein no sugar or artificial sweeteners KOSHER, GMO-FREE*, and GLUTEN FREE certifications |
These affordable, nutritious, and delicious think! (thinkThin) High Protein Bars are a great snack for pre-workouts.
Best For Post-Workout: ProtiWise Fluffy Vanilla Crisp Bars
- Balance the calories burnt during your session – contain 160 calories
- Boost your healthy muscle build – 15 grams of protein
- Reliable - suggested by weight loss clinics, physicians, and hospitals
- A bit pricey
- Average flavor
The ProtiWise - Fluffy Vanilla Crisp Bar is an efficient way to ease your hunger after workouts without you on the fast track to gaining weight instead of building muscle. It balances the calories burnt during your session as well as contains high protein content for healthy muscle build.
Besides, it has 10 grams of fiber to support your digestion system as well as keeps you full long before lunch/dinner comes.
ProtiWise also cuts out unnecessary sugar, which is our most favorite. While ProtiWise commits to offering customers highly nutritional weight loss products, they’re greatly supported by weight loss clinics, physicians, and hospitals. A trusted brand that you can count on!
| ProtiWise Fluffy Vanilla Crisp Bars Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 6.38 Ounces |
Ingredients | Sucralose, soy lecithin, nonfat dry milk, calcium carbonate, natural and artificial flavors, yogurt powder, rice crisps, glycerin, tapioca starch, vegetable oil, isomalto-oligosaccharide, Protein blend |
Grams of Protein per Serving | 15g |
Servings per Container | 10g fiber 15g protein 160 calories |
Highlight Features | contain 160 calories 15 grams of protein suggested by weight loss clinics, physicians, and hospitals |
Refueling your body post-workout is essential. For those who are on the way to lose weight and gain some muscles, the ProtiWise - Fluffy Vanilla Crisp Bar is the best choice.
Best For Vegetarians: Orgain Organic Plant Based Protein Bar
- 100% organic & vegan - USDA organic, vegan, non-GMO, and Kosher certified
- No risks of causing allergies – contain no soy, lactose, gluten, or dairy
- Healthy – no preservative, flavor, or artificial color
- Might be a bit too sweet for some people
- Fiber has been reduced by 1/2
For those who are vegetarians, we think this organic protein bar is your best bet.
“Organic” means all of its ingredients are made of plant-based, even the protein blend or fiber. Moreover, these bars achieve many certifications, such as USDA organic, vegan, non-GMO, and Kosher.
It doesn’t contain allergic ingredients like soy, lactose, gluten, or dairy, and of course, there’s no preservative, flavor, or artificial color in this protein bar.
It’s a healthy way and suitable for different purposes, pre/post workouts, meal substitute, and on-the-go snack.
| Orgain Organic Plant Based Protein Bar Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 1.41 Ounces |
Ingredients | ORGANIC VEGETABLE GLYCERIN, ORGANIC ERYTHRITOL, ORGANIC CHOCOLATE CHUNKS, ORGANIC ALMONDS, ORGANIC TAPIOCA FIBER, ORGANIC TAPIOCA SYRUP, ORGANIC PROTEIN CRISPS, ORGAIN ORGANIC PROTEIN BLEND |
Grams of Protein per Serving | 10 grams |
Servings per Container | 150 calories 4 grams of sugar 3 grams of organic dietary fiber 10 grams of organic plant-based clean protein |
Highlight Features | USDA organic, vegan, non-GMO, and Kosher certified contain no soy, lactose, gluten, or dairy no preservative, flavor, or artificial color |
Finding vegan protein bars might be a hard task but that isn’t impossible. The Orgain Organic Plant-Based Protein Bar is a shining example and also a good option for vegetarians who want to lose weight healthily.
Best For Digestive Issues: No Cow Protein Bars
- No rock in the stomach - no bull, no cow, and no whey
- Good for muscle-maintaining & weight-loss-friendly - 100% plant-based protein, low carb, and low sugar
- Calm your digestive issues - 18 grams of digestion-aiding fiber
- Slightly overpriced
- Not for people who don’t like foods with a dry texture
Containing no bull, no cow, and no whey, this bar is lactose-free, which also means you can kiss goodbye rock in the stomach that you commonly feel from consuming whey protein bars.
It’s made of 100% plant-based protein, which is good for muscle-maintaining, along with low carb and low sugar for weight-loss-friendly.
But the best thing is its whopping 18 grams of digestion-aiding fiber. Made without compromising of flavors, this bar uses a proprietary blend of erythritol, monk fruit, and stevia as natural sweeteners.
| No Cow Protein Bars Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 60g |
Ingredients | Cinnamon, Cocoa Butter, Sweetener Blend, Palm Oil*, Almonds, Glycerine, Soluble Corn Fiber, Protein Blend |
Grams of Protein per Serving | 20g |
Servings per Container | 1g of sugar 20g of protein 4g of net carbs 18g of fiber |
Highlight Features | no bull, no cow, and no whey 100% plant-based protein, low carb, and low sugar 18 grams of digestion-aiding fiber |
This pick is for digestive system enhancement, based on not only our expert testers but also some renowned dietitians.
Gluten-Free: ONE Protein Bars
- Ideal for low-carb dieters or lean weight control – contain high muscle-building protein & 1 gram of sugar
- Multiple uses - 220 calories each
- Costly
- It has a bit of an artificial taste
If you intend to use protein bars a few times a week as a meal replacement, this is a nice choice for low-carb dieters or lean weight control.
It gives you a ton of protein while gluten-free. The ingredients are safe and healthy for weight loss, also suggested by cardiologists as well as weight loss departments of some well-known universities.
Containing 220 calories each, which is perfect for on-the-go or a boost for weight training. There are also various delicious flavors to choose from and satisfy your sweet tooth.
| ONE Protein Bars Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 2.12 oz |
Ingredients | Calcium Carbonate, Sucralose, Distilled Monoglycerides, Sunflower Oil, Nonfat Dry Milk, Sunflower Seed Butter, Vegetable Glycerin, Vegetable Oil Blend, Protein Blend, etc. |
Grams of Protein per Serving | 20g |
Servings per Container | 1g of sugar 20g of protein 10g of Dietary fiber 220 calories. |
Highlight Features | gluten-free and contain high muscle-building protein & 1 gram of sugar 220 calories each |
The ONE Protein Bar is a good-to-go option for those who are being strict with their diet and cutting weight. It’s gluten-free!
Soy-Free: Rise Whey Protein Bars
- Boost your muscle-building better – the protein blend is from milk, whey, and almonds
- High-quality and reliable – made in the USA
- Easy to track what you’re eating – a minimal number of ingredients
- The package can be slippery to handle
- Become dense on cold days
This protein bar gives you 8 essential amino acids, therein the protein blend is from milk, whey, and almonds. Although the ingredients aren’t 100% organic, they’re soy-free, gluten-free, and non-GMO.
Made in the USA so it ensures quality.
But what we like the most is it contains only three ingredients, which is easier to track what you’re eating and optimize your weight training.
| Rise Whey Protein Bars Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 1.58 Pounds |
Ingredients | Whey Protein Isolate, Honey, Almonds |
Grams of Protein per Serving | 20g |
Servings per Container | Carbs: 20g Dietary Fiber: 4g Fat: 16g - Saturated Fat 1.5g Protein: 20g 280 calories |
Highlight Features | the protein blend is from milk, whey, and almonds made in the USA minimal number of ingredients |
If you’re in need of soy-free protein bars for weight loss and muscle gain, then we highly recommend the Rise Whey Protein Bars
Tastiest: FITCRUNCH Protein Bars
- Multi-Use – contain super-high calories, little sugar, high fiber, and protein content
- Look and taste delicious - award-winning 6-layer baked bar
- Lots of flavors to choose from
- Expensive
- Easily melted under high heat
We really like the ingredient table of this protein bar: super-high calories, little sugar, high fiber, and protein content.
It is the most versatile option here that can afford multiple purposes, from office snack, on-the-go snack, pre-workouts, meal substitute, and more.
Unlike most protein bars for weight loss, the flavors of this one easily satisfy your sugar cravings and its award-winning 6-layer baked structure gives you addictive texture. In fact, it’s favored by lots of families, fitness enthusiasts, and athletes.
| FITCRUNCH Protein Bars Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 0.42 Ounces |
Ingredients | PALM OIL, COCOA, VEGETABLE OILS, VEGETABLE GLYCERIN, SOY PROTEIN ISOLATE, PROPRIETARY FORTIFX PROTEIN BLEND, ETC. |
Grams of Protein per Serving | 30g |
Servings per Container | 30g of protein 15g Fiber 2g Sugar 380 calories |
Highlight Features | contain super-high calories, little sugar, high fiber, and protein content Lots of flavors to choose from award-winning 6-layer baked bar |
For those who think that protein bars for weight loss always taste boring and disgusting to eat, the FITCRUNCH is here to prove them wrong.
Chewy: Pure Protein Bars
- Deliver sustained and quick energy – contain 200 calories and 21 grams of protein
- Delicious, chewy, and soft - chocolate peanut butter, chocolate deluxe, and chocolate chips
- Not keto-friendly
Packed with a good protein blend for both sustained and quick energy, the Pure Protein Bars are great for fueling/refueling before or after workouts as well as helping your muscle recover faster.
It is gluten-free to not make you gain weight without building muscle.
But the real star is its deliciously chewy texture, thanks to the chocolate peanut butter, chocolate deluxe, and chocolate chips.
| Pure Protein Bars Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 1.76oz |
Ingredients | Almond Butter, Soy Protein Isolate, Milk Chocolate Drips, Soy Crisps, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Whey Protein Concentrate, Milk Protein Isolated, etc. |
Grams of Protein per Serving | 21g |
Servings per Container | 3g of sugar 21g of protein 200 calories |
Highlight Features | contain 200 calories and 21 grams of protein chocolate peanut butter, chocolate deluxe, and chocolate chips |
For those who are a big fan of soft and chewy foods, don’t overlook the Pure Protein Bars.
Soft: MusclePharm Organic Plant-Based Protein Bar
- Soft yet easily cut in portions
- No upset stomach or odd aftertaste - USDA-certified organic ingredients & gluten-free < 20 ppm
- Dependable - a 30-day money-back guarantee
- Not ideal for an on-the-go snack – it has soft small crunchy bits
- Expensive
While most protein bars are dense and dry, which isn’t a good choice for people with weak teeth, the MusclePharm Organic Plant-Based Protein Bar seems to be a better solution.
It is made of soft ingredients – somewhat comparable to a brownie inconsistency, however, you can easily cut it in portions.
The best thing is its excellent flavors with no upset stomach or odd aftertaste thanks to the USDA-certified organic ingredients with gluten-free < 20 ppm. Try it with confidence as this product is under a 30-day money-back guarantee.
| MusclePharm Organic Plant-Based Protein Bar Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 1.32 Pounds |
Ingredients | ORGANIC REB A, ORGANIC CHIA SEEDS, SUNFLOWER LECITHIN, ORGANIC GLYCERIN, ORGANIC PEANUT BUTTER, ORGANIC ERYTHRITOL, ORGANIC CHOCOLATE CHIPS, ORGANIC SEA SALT TOFFEE PIECES, etc. |
Grams of Protein per Serving | 15g |
Servings per Container | 8 grams of fiber 15 grams of protein 160 Calories |
Highlight Features | USDA-certified organic ingredients & gluten-free < 20 ppm a 30-day money-back guarantee |
Look no further than the MusclePharm Organic Plant-Based Protein Bar if you’re finding some soft and delicious protein bars for weight training.
Crunchy: Detour Lean Muscle Whey Protein Bar
- Stiff, light crisp, and crunchy - a seasoned dry-roasted peanut halves, a dark chocolate outermost coating, & peanut butter
- Nutritious - 1000mg of Omega-3 and 32g of protein along with 21 vitamins and minerals
- Contain some Artificial Flavors
This bar is completely contrasting to the previous option as its texture is stiff, lightly crisp, and crunchy.
It’s a seasoned dry-roasted peanut half layered with peanut butter and a dark chocolate outermost coating. Rest assured, the dark chocolate is low in sugar content.
What’s notable is the 1000mg of Omega-3 and 32g of protein along with 21 vitamins and minerals, which is not only good for your health but also for your muscle recovery process and building.
| Detour Lean Muscle Whey Protein Bar Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 3.2 Ounces |
Ingredients | Quadra Whey Protein Blend, 21 vitamins and minerals, Peanut Oil, Peanut Butter Layer, etc. |
Grams of Protein per Serving | 32g |
Servings per Container | 3g of sugar 32g of protein 1000mg of Omega 3’s |
Highlight Features | a seasoned dry-roasted peanut halves, a dark chocolate outermost coating, & peanut butter 1000mg of Omega-3 and 32g of protein along with 21 vitamins and minerals |
The Detour Lean Muscle Whey Protein Bar is a must-try for those people who love crunchy foods.
How To Choose The Best Protein Bar For Weight Loss And Muscle Gain?
Serving per container
The key to weight loss is losing fat while maintaining your muscle mass. You will also lose some water and have glycogen depletion when cutting carbs.
All of this means you have to pay attention to what’s served inside the container, including the ingredients and their amounts.
First of all, you need more protein than normal, and you need to ingest it every few hours as protein isn’t stored in your body like fat and carbs, it needs replacing every day.
As the most abundant component in the body, protein is used for hundreds of functions and has to be taken consistently.
In addition, as you’re trying to gain muscle, you need an anabolic environment, which means a positive metabolic state. Thirdly, consuming protein results in protein synthesis, which is basically the biological process to replace cellular proteins. This is among the things that help your muscles grow.
All these things are meant to tell you that the intake amount of protein is important. Most protein bars use milk, whey, or soy as the source of protein.
The best-quality protein bars contain 20-30 grams of this ingredient while good bars contain 15 grams or more. This is what you should look for when choosing this type of food.
In addition to protein, you will also need fat, carbs, fiber, and calories.
The fat offered in protein bars is healthy fat from seeds and nuts. But you should take in much if you want to lose weight and build muscle, so choose bars with a little fat only.
There are complex carbs that take time to break down in the body, which is healthy as they do not store as fat. It’s best to go with protein bars with around 25 grams of carbs.
Fiber is another essential ingredient to seek when choosing a protein bar. In this case, you should buy ones that have a large amount of fiber for losing weight and gaining muscles.
How many calories you take in affects the entire body, especially when you want to lose weight. You may want to consider getting only 150-200 calories from a protein bar.
Convenience
One of the best things about protein bars is that they can provide you with a snack or a light meal while being very compact and portable as you can carry several bars with you easily. Depending on how long you will be away from home, you can bring 1 or 2 bars with you.
Ingredients
When it comes to the ingredients, it’s important to know if they are natural or not. In fact, it’s nearly impossible to find a protein bar with only natural ingredients as they all undergo processing.
So, what really matters here is their influences on how you feel after you consume the bar. Before deciding to go with a specific type, you should try several bars and see how your body reacts.
For example, extra fiber or sugar alcohols can lead to digestive discomfort, so pay attention to this when you are choosing protein bars.
Which Brands Make The Best Protein Bar For Weight Loss And Muscle Gain?
RXBAR
Founded in 2013, this brand has had 7 years of experience in the business. It’s all about the nutritional value each bar offers and you will find real quality products here.
Quest Nutrition
This is a renowned brand when it comes to protein products. It focuses on minimizing the amount of sugar and net carbs while maintaining good taste.
Think Products
This brand is known for making nutritious food that’s aimed to support your overall wellness. It’s trusted for constantly formulating its products to offer the best mix of ingredients, texture, and taste for you.
Orgain
Orgain is a brand that claims to make clean food. It offers organic, healthy food with good taste so you can enjoy your protein bars better.
No Cow
This brand is dedicated to creating a perfect food combination of ingredients that are protein-rich, dairy-free, and low in sugar to keep you healthy.
FAQs
What makes a great protein bar?
A great protein bar must consist of the right ingredients at the proper amounts, offer proper calories, and be as natural as possible.
It should have around 25-30 grams of protein, around 25 grams of carbs, a lot of fiber, and a small amount of fat. In total, it should provide 150-200 calories. At the same time, while all protein bars undergo processing, their ingredients should have a natural source.
Can protein bars replace whole foods?
No, they can’t. Powdered supplements can’t provide a nutritional profile as robust as whole foods. If you consume too much protein, it can result in nutritional deficiencies, digestive problems, as well as damage to the liver and kidney.
Are protein bars healthy?
As a type of snack, you can say protein bars are healthy. They contain some major ingredients like protein, carbs, fat, and fiber, to provide nutrition and energy for you.
Do you really need protein bars?
Protein bars are not must-have food items, but they are very beneficial as a way to add protein, carbs, and vitamins to your diet. They are also highly convenient and easy snacks when you’re going out.
Is it bad to eat protein bars at night?
Not at all. In fact, studies show that consuming protein before bed can help you foster muscle growth.
Can I eat more than one protein bar a day?
If you have to, you can eat one or two protein bars per day. But remember they cannot replace whole foods, you still need to take in nutrients from other sources.
Will your muscles grow without protein?
No, they won’t. Protein is the most important and must-have component to build your muscle mass.
Does protein before bed burn fat?
Yes, you can say so. To be exact, a protein-rich diet helps you lose fat. And consuming protein before bed will help with your muscle growth.
Are protein bars better in the morning or at night?
Both these times are good for protein bars, but the best time is near a workout. You should have a protein bar after a workout, it’s good for your muscles.
Why do I feel sick after eating a protein bar?
High-protein foods are not easy for the stomach to digest, especially if your digestive enzymes cannot keep up. That’s probably why you feel sick.
What are the side effects of protein bars?
Protein bars are good in most cases, the side effects only appear when you eat too many protein bars and neglect your normal diet. You will suffer from nutritional deficiencies if you don’t take nutrients from other sources.
Conclusion
This is the end of our guide on how to choose the best protein bars for weight loss and muscle gain, and we hope that it has provided all the information you’re seeking to make a smart decision.
Remember to pay extra attention to the nutritional facts per serving and try different brands before finalizing on one long-term company for you.
Nancy Lang
