The Best Protein Bars to Try (As Reviewed by a Nutritionist)

It seems like everyone - and we mean that everyone - has been talking about protein lately, and it's not just gym fanatics either. A quick scroll on TikTok proves that by 2024 we'll all be taking our protein intake seriously. Whether you're looking for high-protein or low-carb foods or looking for vegan protein sources, there are plenty of tasty meals to help you reach your daily goal. But don't forget snacks either.

Introducing the protein bar, a convenient way to get some extra protein on the go.

They can be a little more expensive - a protein bar will unfortunately cost you more than your average Milky Way. Luckily, no matter your budget, we've got your back as you peruse the snack aisles.

In addition to their slightly more expensive price, there are so many different types of protein bars available. It can be difficult to know which one to choose, especially if you have dietary requirements (such as being vegan), allergies or suffer from IBS.

To make things easier, we asked nutritionist Jenna Hope to give her expert opinion on some of the most popular protein bars on the market today (and put them through a very rigorous taste test herself - it's a tough job, but someone else has to do it!).

"Many protein bars contain a wide range of ingredients, from polyols to sugars, stabilizers and artificial flavors," Hope explains. "Therefore, they should not be seen as a healthy snack, but rather as a convenient way to increase protein and in some cases they can be seen as an alternative to a chocolate bar."

The expert advises not to consume them instead of a nutritious meal, but to treat them as a good option if you have afternoon snacks or after exercise and are short on time. "Many protein bars contain polyols, a type of sugar alcohol used to provide sweetness," Hope adds. "Polyols can cause gastrointestinal symptoms in people suffering from IBS and therefore should not be consumed in excess."

With Hope's advice in mind, here's our round-up of ten best-selling bars, complete with tasting notes and nutritional information.

Protein bar with the best taste

Garnet's Carb Killa

The Cosmopolitan Britain team tried the Chocolate Chip Salted Caramel bars, which triumph on flavor (it was perfect for a filling mid-afternoon snack that isn't too sweet) and have a high protein content. But Hope warns that this Grenade bar also contains a high amount of maltitol (a polyol that is a sugar alcohol - sugar alcohols are used as sweeteners in foods because they are low in calories, can bulk up food and provide sweetness). it's one to limit if you have IBS.

"This bar contains 20 grams of protein, but contains 18 grams of polyols, largely derived from maltitol, which can have laxative effects and stimulate intestinal symptoms such as bloating and flatulence in IBS," she advises. "It also contains 5.1 g of saturated fat, which should be limited in the diet."

Best protein bar according to a nutritionist

The Protein Ball Co

Not a bar per se, but a winner in the eyes of our experts. "These balls are great for portion control because you don't have to consume them all in one sitting," says Hope. "They are made with natural ingredients, contain less saturated fats than other bars and do not contain polyols." Considering the flavor varieties on offer, there's bound to be one for everyone.

Best protein bar for when you're craving chocolate

Okay, so while nothing can do that really imitate a bona fide Mars Bar, the Mars Hi Protein Bar does a commendable job. All the flavors are there, but the core is chewier (well, it's packed with 20 grams of protein, so what do you expect?). "This is a high-protein version of a chocolate bar and should not be confused with a healthy, nutrient-rich snack," notes Hope. "While this bar is a better alternative to a regular Mars bar because it is lower in calories, fat and sugar, it is still high in saturated fat." We enjoyed ours dunked in a cup of coffee (don't judge).

Best low calorie protein bar

MAXIMUSCLE's New York Vanilla Cheesecake Bar

These pocket-sized bars are perfect when you're really craving something delicious, as they're extra sweet and contain around 150 calories. "This bar contains numerous artificial additives," notes Hope. "As a protein bar, it is lower in calories than many others, although it is high in polyols and contains 11.7g per bar."

Best grain-based protein bar Eat naturally

"This is a slightly more natural bar than some other protein bars, although there are others more natural products on the market," says Hope. "They vary in saturated fat content, so it's always worth comparing the flavors." These are much lighter and easier to consume, she adds.

Best protein bar for people with IBS

Clif Builders Protein Bars

Although these contain more calories than other bars, they do not contain polyols and therefore may be a friendlier option for those suffering from IBS, says Hope. "The bars are made with soy protein, which is most nutritionally similar to whey protein."

Best protein bar for vegans

Barebells Protein Bar (Salty Peanut)

This bar isn't overly sweet and has a good texture - but don't think it's a rival to a Snickers. Hope says this is one of the better options because there are no added sugars (and it generally has less sugar than many bars), but Barebells' vegan option does contain artificial sweeteners, which should be consumed in moderation. "It's also high in saturated fat, which should be included as part of your total saturated fat intake," Hope advises. "Personally, I thought these bars tasted more artificial than some of the others."

Best protein bar for allergy sufferers

Creative nature

Creative Nature prides itself on being the safest option for those with allergens; the bars are all nut-free, vegan and gluten-free. We have yet to test the Blueberry Muffin offering, but all the flavors we tried (spiced apple, salted caramel and orange cocoa) were eminently edible. However, in terms of protein content, they only have about 8 grams per bar. "These bars are the most natural because they are packed with whole foods like oats, seeds and dates," Hope agrees. "They are lighter in flavor than many others and therefore easier to eat."

Best gluten-free protein bar option

Beach Bar Chocolate Almond Crunch

This is a winner in terms of taste, but only contains 9 grams of protein. It's also on the pricier side: almost £40 for a box of 15. "This is lower in calories than the other bars and contains 150kcal per bar." says Hope. "It's less compact and lighter in weight than some other options."

Best alternative treat to protein bar

Bulk's Vegan Protein Brownie

Bulk has a large selection of protein-inspired sweet treats with competitive benefits, including everything from cookies to brownies and peanut butter cups.

Hope recommended Bulk's Protein Millionaires Slice, noting that "it has more calories (271 each) than many of the other bars and has almost 7g of saturated fat per bar," while providing 15g of protein. Sadly, this sweet treat is no longer available, but the good news is that you can still get your hands on Bulk's Vegan Protein Brownie, which also packs a punch with 15g of protein.

So there you have it, happy snacking!