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And not all of them are a smart choicefor your health, taste buds,orwallet.
Courtesy of brands / Original image byGlamourcontributor / Gabrielle Langdon
But that doesnt mean you should be reaching for one every time your stomach grumbles.
Instead, consider protein bars as a small component of an overall balanced diet, she says.
Is it okay to eat protein bars every day?
Again, your best bet for optimal nutrition is to prioritize whole foods over processed ones wherever possible.
But protein bars still can play a daily role in a healthy diet.
Look for complete protein sources that contain all essential amino acids, she says.
Complete sources include whey, casein, eggs, soy, hemp, and pea proteins.
Combinations of different plant proteins can also provide a complete protein source, Crumble Smith adds.
Crumble Smith advises a slightly higher benchmark of 12 to 20 grams.
Ingredients
Opt for bars with short ingredient lists of recognizable foods, Crumble Smith advises.
), and some also say may contain, which can help you avoid accidental exposure, she says.
Pay special attention to how much added sugar a bar contains.
Lui recommends avoiding bars with 10 or more grams of added sugar.
She recommends choosing products with at least three to five grams of fiber per serving.
You should also look for short ingredient lists with whole-food components you recognize, Crumble Smith adds.
Instead, choose ones with mono- and/or polyunsaturated fats like from nuts or seeds, Ehsani says.
Lastly, though its not a must, some bars are fortified with vitamins and minerals.
Expect a chewy, dense, and taffy-like texture, Johnson says.
Theyre rich in flavor and naturally sweet, primarily from the dates, she adds.
Pro Bar Proteinmade with soy protein isolatepacks 20 grams in each bar.
Bonus: They taste pretty great.
And they dont use any artificial sweeteners, she adds.
Toasted Coconut and Chocolate Mint.
TesterKathleen Feltonsays these taste like a healthier Reeses Cup.
Im so in love with Perfect Bar.
I live in Australia now where you cant get about them, and I still dream about them!
The Perfect Bar flavor is amazing, she says.
Theyre both calorically dense and nutrient-dense, which makes them excellent for holding you over between meals.
I personally found these perfect during breastfeeding when energy needs are especially high.
People either love it or hate it, she says.
Avid runner and travel public-relations specialistKatherine Hanis a big fan.
Im serious about my bars, she says.
My favorite is the chocolate chip cookie doughit tastesjust likecookie dough.
These bars truly taste like a lighter peanut butter bar dessert or Reeses Cup cheesecake.
It blew my mind how tasty they were, saysGlamourcontributor Kristin Canning.
These bars are great for those times when sweet snacks just wont do, says Baker Lemein.
She also likes that the ingredients are simpler than most bars that contain protein powders and artificial flavors.
One downside: These bars aresalty.
I would be hesitant to recommend them for certain populations due to the sodium content.
She recommends consuming one of these bars with water 30 minutes post-workout.
One of her favorite flavors?
But their newer line of protein bars offers more staying power, she says.
These give you 14 to 15 grams of plant-based protein through organic, non-GMO ingredients.
Joness go-to is the peanut-butter-cup flavor.
I love that its honey-sweetened, with peanut butter as the second ingredient.
TesterKate Hullsays she always keeps a stash at her house to grab before ski days or big hikes.
Its delicious and sweet while also being filling, she says.
And they let you indulge your sweet tooth with less than a gram of sugar.
It truly feels like a sweet dessert rather than a low-calorie protein bar, says foodie content creatorAnika Mehta.
The cookie-butter and crispy-chocolate combo is heavenly.
Personal trainerAshley Wilkeadds that theyre the perfect mix of chewy and crunchy.
Luckily, theyre easy to find at lots of stores like Trader Joes, Whole Foods, and Ralphs.
And you could get a five-pack for less than $10.
With peanuts as the main ingredient and no artificial sweeteners, theyre easy to digest.
They sit really well in my stomach, saysGlamourcontributorJennifer Heimlich.
These are currently Terrys favorite, noting that she reaches for them often after workouts to stave off hangriness.
To me, Barebells are protein bars that dont taste like protein bars.
Theres no artificial flavor aftertaste or chalky protein chew.
TesterOlive G.agrees: My favorite flavor is cookies and cream.
They have an amazing texture with pieces of crispy cookies.
Theyre light and not too sweet or chalky.
Barebells contain a mix of alternative sugars like maltitol and sucralose, and there are no added sugars.
I think of these less as a protein bar and more as a balanced snack bar.
Han loves them as a snack before, during, and after workouts too.
My favorites are the oatmeal chocolate chip, banana and almond butter, and blueberry and cashew butter.
The texture is chewy and soft, so theyre easy to eat while running.
On top of that, theyre delicious.
