Our Top 5 Protein Bar Picks 2023

Protein bars are convenient and portable, an easy option for a snack or even a meal in a pinch. There’s been an explosion of new varieties on shelves, but not all are as nutritious as they appear.

Here’s the rundown of my top five picks – all are good sources of protein with zero or low added sugar and no artificial sweeteners or colors.

The 411 on protein bar labels

• Protein: 20 grams protein is equivalent to 3 ounces lean meat; 7 grams is approximately one egg worth of protein
• Sugar: Look for bars as close to zero added sugar as possible, and with more protein than sugar.

• Artificial sweeteners: Avoid artificial sweeteners like sucralose and acesulfame potassium

• Fiber: Usually less important, as many are “isolated” fibers without the full benefits of real, whole-food fiber

Better protein bar options

CanDo Keto Krisp bar | Gluten-free, dairy-free options available

• 190 calories, 16 grams carbohydrate (4 grams net carbs), 9 grams fiber, 2 grams sugar (0 added sugar), 11 grams protein
• Made with almonds, chicory root fiber, soy protein, almond protein, sweetened with erythritol and/or stevia

Love Good Fats bar | Gluten-free, Soy Free, no sugar alcohols

• 190 calories, 14 grams carbohydrate (5 grams net carbs), 9 grams fiber, 2 grams sugar (2 grams added sugar), 7 grams protein
• Made with fats blend (almond butter, palm and coconut oil), whole grain brown rice protein, semi-sweet chocolate chips, soluble corn fiber, chicory root fiber.

NuGo Slim bar | Gluten-free and vegan options available

• 180 calories, 17 grams carbohydrate (9 grams net carbs), 6 grams fiber, 3 grams sugar (3 grams added sugar), 16 grams protein
• Made with protein blend (soy and rice protein), dark chocolate, inulin (vegetable fiber), sweetened with small amount of cane sugar

Bulletproof Collagen Protein bar | Gluten-free, dairy-free

• 190 calories, 12 grams carbohydrate (4 grams net carbs), 8 grams fiber, 2 grams sugar (0 added sugar), 11 grams protein
• Made with cashew butter, hydrolyzed collagen, inulin, MCT oil powder (a supplement made from a type of fat called medium-chain triglycerides), sweetened with stevia

No Cow bar [dipped or regular] | Gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, vegan

• 200 calories, 25 grams carbohydrate (4 grams net carbs), 15 grams fiber, 1 gram sugar (0 added sugar), 21 grams protein
• Made with vegan protein blend (brown rice, pea protein), soluble corn fiber, sweetened with erythritol, stevia, monk fruit.

Editor’s note: Registered dietitian Molly Kimball offers brand-name products as a consumer guide; she does not solicit product samples, nor is she paid to recommend items. This originally appeared on WGNO’s “Get FUELED with Molly” segment