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The best protein bars are low in sugar and help you stay healthy by meeting the daily protein requirements. Protein is essential in developing muscles and maintaining their growth and repair. Thus, the best low sugar protein bars can help keep your energy levels intact. They help enhance immunity and act as quick and low-calorie snacks when you are on the move.
Owing to our busy schedules or poor diet, we often cannot meet our protein requirements from our daily meals. Hence, low sugar, high protein bars can supply the required amount and satiate your hunger. To assist you in selecting a nutritious and healthy protein bar, I got in touch with Jenni Hackworth, a certified personal trainer and sports nutritionist, to compile this list of tried-and-tested options. However, consult a healthcare professional before incorporating any new option into your daily routine.
Top Picks
17 Best Low Sugar Protein Bars
1. Best For Pre- And Post-Workouts: Pure Protein Bar Variety Pack
Image: Image: Pure Protein Store With 20 grams of protein, these bars will help you meet your protein goal for the day. These low-sugar protein bars can satiate you quickly and help you maintain lean muscle if taken pre- or post-workouts. With three chocolate combinations, it is loaded with vitamins and minerals, and the sugar level per bar is as low as 3 grams. It is also gluten-free and each bar serves 200 calories. Go through this video for more information on the product.
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
The tried-and-true product has earned over 29,828 good reviews on Amazon.
Quick tip2. Best Gluten-Free: Fit Crunch Lemon Protein Bar
Image: Fit Crunch Store The Fit Crunch protein bar is a six-layer baked bar with a soft center and lemony flavor. A blend of whey protein and soy protein, each bar contains 16 grams of protein, 16 grams of carbohydrate, 8 grams of fat, and 3 grams of sugar. It is gluten-free, made for all ages, and each bar delivers 190 calories. Watch this review video to learn more about this Fit Crunch protein bar.
3. Best Plant-Based: Aloha Organic Protein Bars
Image: Image: Aloha These vegan bars are made of whole food ingredients that are USDA-certified organic. They are non-GMO verified and are free of gluten, dairy, soy, stevia, and artificial sweeteners. Made from a blend of brown rice protein and pumpkin seed protein, each bar provides 220 calories and contains 14 grams of protein, 26 grams of carbohydrates, and 9 grams of fat. It has only 5 grams of sugar and no sugar alcohol. Check out this review video of the Aloha organic plant-based protein bar by a certified personal health trainer.
Also Recommended By: Goodhousekeeping and Verywellfit have also listed Aloha Organic Protein Bars in their top 10.[1]10 Best Protein Bars of 2024 That Actually Taste Good, Goodhousekeeping. https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/food-products/g33597593/best-protein-bars/[2]The 11 Best Protein Bars of 2024, According to a Dietitian, Verywellfi. https://www.verywellfit.com/best-protein-bars-4163393
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
Join the 6,496 satisfied buyers on Amazon who have said the product meets their needs and expectations.
Pure Protein Bar Variety Pack Best For Pre- And Post-Workouts | Fit Crunch Lemon Protein Bar Best Gluten-Free | Aloha Organic Protein Bars Best Plant-Based | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Batteries | Lithium Metal batteries required | - | - |
| Dimensions | 1.37 x 1.37 x 3.19 inches | - | 6.75 x 5.75 x 2.25 inches |
| Weight | 1.98 Pounds | - | 1.43 Pounds |
| Rating | |||
| Reviews | 29,828 | 1,050 | 6,496 |
| Price | $23.29 | $21.99 | $24.99 |
Did you know?4. Best Crispy: Bsn Protein Crisp Peanut Butter Crunch
Image: Image: Bsn Store Made from whey protein isolate, whey protein concentrate, and milk protein, each bar provides you with 230 calories and contains 20 grams protein, 22 grams carbohydrate, 7 grams fat, and 4 grams sugar. These crispy and palate-pleasing peanut butter protein bars are gluten-free.
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
About 5,152 reviewers on Amazon have given their seal of approval to the product.
5. Best Dairy-Free: Good! Snacks Birthday Cake Protein Bar
Image: Good! Store If you are looking for a Kosher-certified vegan protein bar, you might like this one. This is made of natural and healthy plant proteins- fava bean and brown rice. It is non-GMO certified, gluten-free, soy-free, and dairy-free. Each bar serves 210 calories and contains 15 grams of protein, 13 grams of fiber, 31 grams of carbohydrate, 10 grams of sugar, and 6 grams of fat.
Also Recommended By: Goodhousekeeping have also listed Good! Snacks Birthday Cake Protein Bar in their top 10.[1]0 Best Protein Bars of 2024 That Actually Taste Good, Goodhousekeeping. https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/food-products/g33597593/best-protein-bars/
6. Best Keto-Friendly: NeohLow Carb Protein & Candy Bar
Image: Image: Neoh Store The Neoh protein bar has 90 calories with 1 gram of sugar. This chocolate-flavored bar contains 3 grams of net carbohydrate, 3 grams of fiber, 7 grams of protein, and 4 grams of fat. Derived from soy protein isolate, this keto-friendly and nutritious bar is a mess-free protein powder alternative and can make a tasty on-the-go snack.
Quick fact7. Best Flavored: Grenade Carb Killa High Protein Bar
Image: Grenade Store With dark chocolate raspberry flavor, these protein bars can help satisfy your sweet tooth with a sugar content of less than 1 gram. Each delicious and craving-satisfying bar has 220 calories, 20g protein, 21g carbohydrate, 10g fat, and 3g fiber.
8. Best With Multiple Flavors: Atlas Protein Bar
Image: Atlas Protein Bar Store The keto-friendly protein bar is made of high-quality, grass-fed whey protein and is free of sucralose, and sugar alcohols, including maltitol, and erythritol. With 1 gram of sugar in each bar, they are free of soy, gluten, GMO, IMO, and MSG.
The adaptogen-powered technology will help fight fatigue and boost endurance while adapting to stress levels. You can also take it as a post-workout meal for muscle growth or as an on-the-go snack or breakfast. These protein bars are available in six flavors with slight variations in nutritional value. They provide 15 to 16 grams of protein and 3 to 4 grams of net carbohydrate.
9. Best Light Yet Filling: Optimum Nutrition Protein Wafers
Image: Optimum Nutrition Store The chocolate-flavored wafers are lightly layered with 15 grams of protein and 5 grams of sugar. The protein is derived from milk protein isolate and whey protein isolates, providing 210 calories per serving. Besides being one of the best-tasting protein bars, these light and filling bars contain 10 grams of fat and 14 grams of carbohydrates to meet your nutritional recommendations and make it easy to reach your fitness goal.
10. Best GMO-Free: Barebells Caramel Cashew Protein Bar
Image: Barebells Store The nutritious Barebells protein bar has a high protein content of 20g and a low sugar content of less than 2g. They come in four flavors to suit your taste. The ingredients are GMO-free and have no added sugar. They are suitable for pre-and post-workout meals for muscle-building or as a snack to boost your energy on a busy day.
11. Best Gluten Free:Think! High Protein Bars
Image: Think! Store Made from plant-based protein, this bar is vegan and gluten-free. This high protein bar has a good carbohydrate to protein ratio that makes it ideal for a pre or post-workout snack. It is suitable for muscle recovery post-workout. Each bar provides 230 calories and contains 13g protein, 27g carbohydrate, 9g fat, 3g fiber, and 5g sugar. The protein in this bar is a blend of pea protein, brown rice protein, and pumpkin protein.
The almond-infused chocolate sea salt bar is a tasty snacking option or serves as a meal alternative when taken with fruit. It is non-GMO certified, doesn’t contain artificial sweeteners and soy, and has a low GI index.
12. Best Eco-Friendly:No Cow Protein Bars
Image: No Cow Store No Cow protein bars are dairy-free, lactose-free, and contain no whey protein. The protein in these bars is derived from pea protein and brown rice protein. With 21g protein, 4g net carbohydrates, and 1g sugar, these protein bars are keto-friendly, help recover lost muscle post-workout, and are suitable for weight loss or as a healthy snack. The protein bars come in 12 palate-pleasing and natural flavors and are gluten-free, vegan, and GMO-free.
13. Best Delectable:Alani Nu Fit Snacks Protein Bar
Image: Alani Nu Store The cookies and cream protein bar protein deliver 16 grams of protein and 180 calories while keeping the sugar content at 4-5 grams. It is a blend of whey protein isolate and whey protein concentrate, is gluten-free, and contains no artificial sweeteners. With a variety of flavors and plenty of protein, this set of 12 protein bars can fuel your next workout session or serve as a healthy snack.
14. Best Energy Solution:Verb Caffeinated Energy Bar – Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Caffeinated Protein Bars
Image: Verb Caffeinated Energy Bar The Verb Energy chocolate chip protein bar is gluten-free and contains only two grams of sugar, making it keto-friendly and suitable for low-sugar diets. One of the healthiest protein bars, it is a great alternative to junk food or midnight snack cravings. This diet-friendly bar has 190 calories, 10g of protein, and clean caffeine. It makes a good breakfast or on-the-go snack option. This protein bar is also available in an oatmeal chocolate chip flavor.
Pros
- Tastes delicious
- Available in chef-crafted flavors
- Offers an instant dose of energy
- Vegan product
- No sugar alcohols
Cons
- May have a slimy coating
- May seem dry
"Apart from being a gym snack, these bars have come in handy for boosting energy levels while traveling. They are surprisingly tasty, and the convenient packaging keeps them from creating a mess in my bag."
15. Best Multi-Layered:Muscle Pharm Combat Crunch Protein Bar
Image: Musclepharm The double-stuffed cookie dough bar is packed with plenty of proteins and features multiple layers with crunchy texture. It contains 20 grams of protein and has high fiber and low sugar content. It can be an ideal on-the-go snack for athletes, fitness enthusiasts, or anyone who wants to maintain their daily protein intake. It has great taste and is healthy as it is gluten-free, contains no GMOs, and is certified by Informed Choice. The protein is a blend of whey protein isolate, milk protein isolate, whey protein concentrate, and whey protein hydrolysate.
16. Best Keto-Friendly:N!ck’s Keto Snack Bar
Image: Nicks The caramel chocolate-flavored keto protein bar contains delicious layers with rich chocolate bar coating and no added sugar to offer you a low-carbohydrate, low-sugar snack. Containing nearly 15g of protein in each pack, this protein bar contains 180 calories and offers a creamy, chewy, and tasty protein indulgence.
Pros
- Nutritious
- Optimally dense
- Various flavors available
- Filling
Cons
- Might be sweeter than expected
- Might melt easily
"The bars have been the perfect way to satisfy my cravings and maintain my dietary commitments. Its portable packaging has made them easy to carry, and the Keto-friendly options are a big plus."
17. Best Long-Lasting:Keep Healthy Low Glycemic Sea Salt Brownie Protein Bar
Image: Keep Healthy With low glycemic content, these bars help control blood sugar spikes, making you feel fuller for longer periods, thereby encouraging appetite control and maintaining energy levels in between meals. These protein bars are diabetic-friendly and are 100% plant-based. They are USDA certified organic, kosher-certified, gluten-free, soy-free, and dairy-free. They also don’t contain sugar alcohols, GMOs, artificial flavors, and colors.
Each protein bar serves 230 calories and contains 12g protein, 16g carbohydrate, 9g fiber, and 6g sugar. It is suitable for a pre-workout meal to help boost your energy levels, or between your meals as a protein-packed snack.
How To Choose The Right Low Sugar Protein Bar?
Here are some factors you should consider before buying a protein bar with low sugar. Also, you should consult a healthcare professional before buying them.
- Carbohydrate content: Look for a protein bar where the carbohydrates are double the protein or around 20 grams per bar.
- Protein source: Consider clean proteins, such as plant-based protein, organic sourced, and grass-fed whey protein, as these are healthier and safer for regular consumption. Choose a bar with 8 to 12 grams of protein for a satiating snack. If you are taking the bar as a pre or post-workout meal, you can choose the bars with 15 to 20 grams of protein. However, consult a nutrition and fitness expert to get the desired protein recommendations as per your body.
- Fiber content: Fiber helps in better digestion and keeps your metabolism healthy. Choose bars containing three grams or more of fiber.
- Sugar content: Some bars are sweetened with sugar alcohols and artificial sweeteners, including maltitol and xylitol, which can cause bloating. Choose a bar with a sugar content of less than ten grams.
- Activity level: Choose the protein bar based on your activity levels and your body weight. An average person requires around 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram. You might consume more protein to maintain your body’s required nutrition level. Excess protein intake is not good as it can store fat in your body.
Jenni Hackworth, a nutritionist, says, “The less ingredients the bar has, the better it is. Look for protein bars with natural whole foods. Also, the less sugar and other carbs, the better it is. You may check the label of the bar to decide which is the best for you.”
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What protein bars do not have sugar?
Sugar-free bars are ideal for those with low insulin levels as sugar requires insulin to be used by the body quickly. Protein bars are generally low on sugar and are made to give you a quick energy boost when you take a bite. If you have a health condition, we recommend you consult a healthcare professional to choose what is best for you.
2. How many grams of sugar should a protein bar have?
While the maximum permissible limit for sugars can be up to ten grams, the average sugar content in a protein bar ranges from six to eight grams. However, you should pick a protein bar with the lowest possible sugar content and look for those with natural sweetening ingredients to make a better health choice.
Why Trust MomJunction?
Vibha Navarathna, our in-house writer, reviewer, and the author of this article, recommends the best products to her readers after doing extensive research. She brings you this list of the best protein bars with low sugar after comparing several products and going through their ingredient list of each product. The protein bars listed here are available in various flavors and are yummy, filling, and made of quality ingredients.
The Bottom Line
If you are in a hurry and have no time to cook a wholesome protein-rich meal or just want to enjoy a quick snack, make it nutritious and flavorful with low-sugar protein bars. Our list of the best protein bars with low sugar includes various flavors and ingredients to suit your needs. Choose the Bsn Protein Crisp Peanut Butter Crunch if you prefer peanut butter flavoring. Opt for Pure Protein Bars for a delicious gluten-free option or the Aloha Organic Protein Bar for a plant-based alternative. So, whether it’s a snack on the go or one for post-workout, protein bars can come to your rescue. However, check the bar’s carbohydrate and sugar levels and fiber content to keep fit and energetic for longer durations.
Infographic: How To Choose The Right Low-Sugar Protein Bar?
If you are seeking a low-sugar protein bar that satisfies your nutritional requirements and tastes delicious, there are several key considerations to keep in mind. The infographic below offers a checklist of factors to consider when choosing a low-sugar protein bar. Be sure to refer to it the next time you are shopping. Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
References
- Pavle Jovanov et al.; (2021); High-Protein Bar as a Meal Replacement in Elite Sports Nutrition: A Pilot Study
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8617883/ - Ayaka Fukushima et al.; (2021); Phytic Acid in Brown Rice Can Be Reduced by Increasing Soaking Temperature
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7824421/ - DaniëlleM P. H. J. Boesten et al.; (2015); Health effects of erythritol
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/274193954_Health_effects_of_erythritol
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