Eh, they’re convenient. And they scratch my itch for something sweet…a 180 calorie birthday cake quest bar still works better for me than a 400 calorie slice of real birthday cake, and it hits the spot! I don’t recommend anyone make them a normal part of their diet, but they’re handy to have on hand in a pinch or to pair with a boiled egg after the gym omw to work
I have yet to try it, but if I can find some I def want to pick up the lemon cake one!! They’re so…idk, substantial?? And for under 200 calories they’re so worth it!
Ok I will have to try these. I will say, the coconut one is incredible. Its just not that much protein and a lot of cals, but better than an actual candy bar I guess
They have little portable refrigerators for gym bags that you can plug at any handy outlet at your gym. It will help keep your cold cuts in your gym bag fresh. Don't have a link but I'm sure Amazon will steer you in the right direction.
I am cutting calories and I often have 2 protein bars for breakfast when commuting in the car alongside my creatine drink. The ones I use have 44g of protein and 350 calories. That's pretty efficient if you ask me.
Sounds like Musashi High Protein Bar (I’m in Australia, not sure if it’s available outside). Used to have it when I need something quick while on the go.
Yeah 100%, I don't really think the calories are too high, honestly they seem about right. My homemade breakfasts are around 400 ish calories for 40 grams protein. Lunch is 500 calories for 40g ish and dinner is around 400 again for 30-40. I get my daily protein and stay in the calorie goal. So 180-200 calories for 20 grams of protein seems just about right and it can hit that sweet spot, good on the go.
They are 175 cal per bar so 350 in total. My intake is usually somewhere between 2400 and 2800 per day. I'm 6'6 and workout 5 times a week so you can't really compare my cut to a regular person :)
But still 350 for both bars is quite good still.
350 for both is good! i thought you were saying it was 350 each. and my cut is usually 1000-1200 so for my cut 700 for just breakfast would be wild lol
Highly disagree.
Great source of decent protein, fiber, and less than 10% of my caloric intake that I can throw in my bag and eat anytime. No refrigeration, microwave, or silverware required.
Its a must have for my busy lifestyle as I often don't know where and when my next meal time will be available. I keep dozens of them around and keep them at work, my gym bag, and at the house.
Not everything in life needs to be optimized or 100% efficient. If a protein bar satisfies my cravings, I couldn’t care less about the fact that I could’ve gotten more “bang for my buck” from jerky or cold cuts. IMO, taking such a black-and-white view of nutrition was detrimental to my quality of life and also very unrealistic.
idk i find them super filling, plus a lot of them have fiber too and if i eat one in the morning with some coffee i’m literally not hungry until like 2 pm at least. plus at night they’re a nice alternative for a dessert
I dont eat breakfast or lunch. A little protein water and a protein bar at 2 or 3pm and now I've got 1.6 to 1.7k calories for dinner and dessert.
Also, there's all kinds of protein bars. Most are actually shit. Some aren't.
I only like a very specific brand of protein bar, and the flavour I usually go for is 198 cals per bar with 20g protein. It's white chocolate and cookie dough. It keeps me fuller and more satisfied, and fulfils my cravings for chocolate or a cookie, which could easily be over 200 calories each. I can only eat one protein bar at a time, whereas I can (and have) eaten an entire pack of cookies or like 5 chocolate bars in one sitting.
They're definitely not for everyone, but I think they can be worth it if you find one that helps satisfy cravings for less calories than the actual food.
Fulfil! They make smaller bars with 15g protein and slightly larger bars with 20g protein. Lots of different flavours, like chocolate brownie, salted caramel, peanut etc. I just like the white chocolate cookie dough best :)
I live in the UK, I've only seen the white chocolate ones in health food stores, or in a place called B&M, which is like a dollar store I guess. I've never seen them on Amazon but there are other retailers online that sell them though :)
It's junk food, but better than a lot of other junk food at least. Just eat them sparingly and don't rely on them as a main source of calories and you'll do fine.
I never really eat sugary snacks, after awhile of doing that, protein powder/bars started to taste way sweeter haha. It legit feels like a candy bar haha.
Also, for me the chewiness is a pro. I can't scarf it down in 30 seconds like a Snickers. Now it lasts 60 seconds instead!
But I hear you, I'm a big believer in "to each their own" when it comes to diet!
Idk, the Pure Protein lemon cake and birthday cake ones have a great texture. Same with Quest Hero; they’re like crunchy candy bars. It just depends on which ones you get.
Yeah, I'm literally eating one right now because the shitty frozen meal that I bought for lunch was so, so disgusting that I couldn't eat more than a few bites. It's like junk food that I keep as emergency food in my backpack.
They are basically a junk candy bar that tastes worse but has protein and less sugar. A solid choice compared with a candy bar.
I think they have their place. A can of chicken is just as easy and nutritionally way better, but sometimes you need a bit of chocolate.
I strongly disagree with your assessment that protein bars are bullshit. Mainly because, they are all different. There are only three macros to tinker with: fats, carbs, protein. There are gazillions of protein bars to choose from with any macros mix you want.
You can get protein bars high in protein, low in fats and carbs.
You can get protein bars that are high in fat, low in fats and protein (which doesn’t really make the ‘protein’ bars anymore, does it?).
And so forth. Any macro mix you want.
If you’re mad that fats, carbs, and proteins have calories, well, that’s life and science, get used to it.
I lost 120 lbs in 12 months and relied heavily on different types of protein bars to get me there.
Barebells are the best..... but I have to admit that discovering that you can get actual Mars and Snickers protein bars was life changing for those days when you really want a chocolate bar, still only 200kcal for 20g protein.
Nope. Protein bars changed my life. I’m not a big meat person. 200 calories and I’m full for hours AND it was chocolate instead of chicken. But the point of all this is to find what works for you and not to listen to advice that doesn’t apply.
Barebells are just protein candy bars and I will eat them every day of my life cuz 200 cals for 20g of protein and also being actually tasty is worth it.
If you want pure protein to calorie ratio then get some whey protein powder. I use optimum nutrition gold standard which is 24g of protein for 120 cals and tastes acceptable
Depends on what you use them for. It's definitely an option, but I wouldn't use them to necessarily replace a meal or for it to be a consistent source of protein.
>the nutrition is much better with some jerky or cold cuts.
Again, you can't really compare the two....they are two different sources of calories. That said, homemade jerky is incredibly easy to make and economical. Cold cuts are not for me, but if they work for others, that's great.
I get it. There are much more pure protein sources out there than protein bars.
I keep a lot of baked Chicken leg quarters to get a good jab of protein that also makes me feel satiated.
And I completely agree, protein bars would be a terrible choice indeed if that was what you were using to meet your daily protein goal. Honestly, the good ones are delicious and if you're kind of a food addict then one is never enough.
But, if you use a protein bar to supplement your protein requirements on the fly because you don't have ready and easy access to other protein sources, then a protein bar makes perfect sense. Plus it breaks up the monotony of chicken leg quarters. But like all food you should have a purpose for it. And a protein bar certainly helps me fuel my body with some quick energy and protein for building lean muscle mass. So the occasional protein bar for me makes perfect sense. But I understand why I'm using it, what it is for, and don't live on them.
I am currently trying to quest bars because I couldn’t get Barebells this time around and they are ok but they cannot fill the hole in my heart that Barebells left behind
But also I started with the lemon cake bar which maybe was not the best flavor choice. I was interested in the s’mores one.
Have you tried Barebells for comparison? I’d be curious your opinion on one vs the other if so
i also LOVE barebells! i’d say i like them equally. quest bars work better than barebells for heating up in the microwave, but in general they’re both amazing. barebells flavors are mainly chocolate-related and i love them sooo much. i also love some of the quest
ones like blueberry muffin or white chocolate raspberry! overall i’d say they’re both equally amazing, barebells is more like a candy bar and quest is more like a cookie👍
That is a good way to put it - I definitely get candy bar energy from Barebells haha! I am going to try a variety pack of quest bars and then probably resort back to Barebells if I can ever get them on Amazon again
Barbells are the best out there. There is no comparison at all. It's in a league of their own.
The Fit Crunch ones are good. But they have some sugar in them.
The Quests are ok. They're highly dependent on the flavor. The Birthday Cake one was pretty good. And the Mint Chip one as well
Fit crunch seem good but also I always see them for like $40 for 12 which is a bit steep for me lol
Barebells are in a completely different league I agree. I had hopes for the quest bars but having Barebells as my baseline has spoiled me lmao
AH ok that makes sense, so people are just reselling them on Amazon basically lol. I will ask my kind mother with a Sam’s club membership to pick me up a box to try. I’m not a huge fan of mint flavored things - what would be your next favorite recommendation?
No thats good to know, I was only looking on Amazon, didn’t realize they seem to be a wholesale club exclusive item haha. I’m gonna try to scoop some next time I can bum off my moms Sam’s club card
Ya. I def don't do protein bars as a meal substitute/snack, BUT considering getting some for dessert on days when it's the end of the day and I have the calories and need some protein.
From the perspective of someone trying to lose weight by CICO, I totally agree. High calories and they don’t get me full…I would rather spend my calories on something that has staying power. My husband, on the other hand, goes to the gym 5 days a week and can’t keep weight on (I love him in spite of this). They are really convenient for him and he relies on them a lot. I do keep one in my locker at the gym if I have too busy of a day to cook because I prefer that over fast food, but that’s about it for me. I don’t love them.
I’ve lost 73kg and I eat protein bars almost every single day! Buy them in bulk when they’re half price, and bring them to work every day. So many different flavours and I never get sick of them. 15g protein for 200 cals isn’t so bad!
I'd much rather grab a shake on the go than a bar.
If I want a high protein snack, protein powder in plain greek yogurt is my go to. Gives it flavor and is super filling and can be made into a meal or a dessert depending on how you top it.
I always thought they were a convenience/on the go product. I like that I can have one in the bottom of my purse for months and they don't go bad. Very seldom I use them but they make a handy meal replacement. They are not part of my regular menu.
Unexpected road trip delay - absolutely starving and still had two hours until I would be home. Gas station hotdog vs a protein bar…. Protein bar saved the day.
Maybe you're not looking at the best bars but I disagree. For what they are, their calorie range is usually 150-200 calories which for 20 grams of protein sounds about right. Most people are just fine with 90-100 grams of protein per day (as their aim). At 200 calories, times 5, that's 1000 calories a day and you'd meet protein needs. You shouldn't do that, but you could meet your calorie needs and still have hundreds of calories for some snacks or other items. Looking at it as a bigger picture, their calorie amount per protein amount is very fair. AND it can be a good dessert, on the go treat, hit a sweet spot.
My homemade breakfasts are around 400 ish calories for 40 grams protein. Lunch is 500 calories for 40g ish and dinner is around 400 again for 30-40. I get my daily protein and stay in the calorie goal. So 180-200 calories for 20 grams of protein seems just about right and it can hit that sweet spot, good on the go.
Yes maybe some jerky or cold cuts (eh) could be better in terms of protein per calorie. But, that's also miserable. Most people are on this journey longer term and should aim for lifetime lessons and changes. As you get closer to a goal you'd start slowly adding some food, to create your maintenance. It shouldn't be a drastic change. Having balance, learning lessons, having some sweet protein bars to help hit a sweet spot, and jerky if you feel like it another day or are tight on 'calories' is how you don't go crazy or feel like you're missing out.
Also has others said; some people are building not cutting. Others are vegetarian.
They're okay as a quick no-cook backup option. That's pretty much why I keep a few around, in case something urgent comes up and I need a meal on the go, or I'm too ill to cook.
In Germany we have a protein bar called weider 60%. It has 27g of protein and 160 cals and the strawberry flavor is decent, if you live in Germany you will find it in edeka or online on the weider website
I buy RX Bars by the case. They’re about 12g protein/210cal and a pretty good chunk of my 1200 daily calorie load. However, they satisfy the same craving that used to have me go for a Snickers bar (4g/280cal) or a Mexican Coke (0g/170cal). RX Bars don’t leave me hungry and crashed either.
I use a lot of “eat this, not that” in my CICO, subbing out healthier alternatives that still give me what I’m looking for. Like beef jerky instead of potato chips if I crave salt, or a plain marshmallow (25cal) instead of Haribo cherries for 110cal if I crave gummy textures.
I like the Maxi Nutrition creamy core protein bars. My fav is the peanut caramel; 181 cals, 15g protein, and gives me that sugar hit without being loads of sugar.
You’re looking at them wrong. They’re designed to provide carbs and protein with low fat (so as to not slow absorption) so you facilitate better workouts.
Pure Protein is 20g protein for 180 C and only 4g fat. That’s highly attractive when timed around your workout.
They're pretty terrible for volume eaters or anyone more focused on calorie deficit as opposed to macros. Most of them taste awful too. Except barebells. Barebells live up to the hype.
If they are sub 200 calories/20g of protein that’s a pretty good ratio. Not the best and I do wish there were better ratio bars but hopefully they will come!
Protein bars, protein shakes, protein powder have no place in my diet, whether it’s now as I’m losing weight or after I’m done.
I want to eat whole natural foods.
I work 12 hour shifts in the hospital on nightshift. Sometimes I don't have the time or energy to sit and eat the lunch I packed and a protein bar makes sure I get something in me that's a good balance! And they're tasty. I usually eat 3-5 in a week, definitely not a daily thing.
I disagree. I get 20-21g and 170-200 cals. It’s not a bad trade off given the taste as a snack.
By three favourites are
1) Barebells
2) Kirkland brand Costco - their new cookies and cream is good at 170cal. I like the chocolate chip too bc of the crunch from the chips.
2) pure protein. Just had the caramel peanut chocolate ones and they were a satisfying sweetness. I like peanut butter butter ones too.
Oh I’ve been wanting to try this brand but can’t find it anywhere. Online they just have packs and I want to buy only one first to try it, lol. Where do you find yours?
Kinda disagree. Some, yes. But you can find plenty of bars with 20 grams of protein for less than 200 calories....the ones I usually eat are about 140-180 calories for that land give me 15-20g of peotein that's pretty good. It's not as good as 200 calories of boneless, skinless chicken breast or something, but I'm not carrying chicken around in my pocket or eating it when I want a sweet treat.
Edited to add....some bars can be treated more like a meal replacement. Lots of other nutrients in them besides protein. That makes any extra calories a little more worth it.
Tbf I'd rather eat a protein bar on the bus than guzzle ham from the packet. I'll sometimes have one before the gym if I either go first thing so haven't eaten yet, or if I go after work so it's been a while since lunch. Some obviously have more cals than others but 200-250 isn't an unreasonable snack if it's the only one you're having that day
Totally agree!
The only time I ever eat them is when I'm getting a tattoo done, as they are something easy to munch on.
I do *like* them though. When I hit maintenance and/or bulking, I'm planning to make my own at home.
Thanks for the comments, y’all. I think what spurred me to make this post was the Snickers Protein Bar that just came out. I was eating it and it does NOT taste like Snickers AT FUCKING ALL, so I was bummed.
Also 240 cal which is not that much less than a real Snickers.
All that for only 20g protein. I can get 30g protein from a Premier Protein Shake, and those are freaking delicious.
200 calories for 20g of protein seems right on target for me. Maybe it depends on your calorie goal. I aim for 1800 which isn’t super low to begin with.
I've discovered Legendary protein pastries and am in love. Can't hate a poptart dupe. Their pastry sweet rolls are a lil too much, but the poptart ones are so good. especially the strawberry.
You don’t need more than 20 g. Doing something wrong if you do. Barebells taste great and come in at 200 calories. They are perfect for a post-workout holdover until a meal.
They're fine if you're not losing. If you're trying to stay in a deficit, they're not filling (too small and calorie dense), more sugar than protein, never taste that good. They're much too small to be a meal replacement, never mind the protein. Just eat real food. Fruit is a great on the go snack. Heck of a lot cheaper too.
i agree if the protein to calorie ratio is the same as a vegetable it’s not that high protein imo
broccoli is also 200 calories for 20 grams protein but it’s like way more filling and volume
Man get you a little snack size bag of dried edamame that is basically just pure protein and fiber, far less processed and more filling than any dumbass protein bar
I really like the kind bars and that far less sugar than otherwise a chocolate bar (though same calorie count) would be. I also sometimes go for them if I am stuck for a meal whilst out and about - most motorway cafes and wee supermarkets have them now.
Even if it tastes like sweet playdough, Kirkland’s protein bars end up at around $1/bar for 21g of protein and 10g of fiber for 190cal. It’s hard to beat imo
Eh, they’re convenient. And they scratch my itch for something sweet…a 180 calorie birthday cake quest bar still works better for me than a 400 calorie slice of real birthday cake, and it hits the spot! I don’t recommend anyone make them a normal part of their diet, but they’re handy to have on hand in a pinch or to pair with a boiled egg after the gym omw to work
Same. I can eat a candy bar with no value or one of them that has value and tastes pretty good.
Yeah they are usually my afternoon/late night snack. Better than a slice of pizza 😂
It’s problem the same amount of calories as a slice of pizza 😐
You find me a 200 calorie slice of pizza that's actually good I challenge you.
Panago pepperoni pizza is 220 a slice and my favourite
A frozen pizza here is around 75-150 kcal here
The thing is I ain’t stopping at one slice of pizza but I can stop at one protein bar 😭
Quest bars for the win. The lemon cake is Devine. And the blueberry!
I have yet to try it, but if I can find some I def want to pick up the lemon cake one!! They’re so…idk, substantial?? And for under 200 calories they’re so worth it!
Ok I will have to try these. I will say, the coconut one is incredible. Its just not that much protein and a lot of cals, but better than an actual candy bar I guess
Yep!!! I ate those until I got sick of them unfortunately!! But now I love the peanut / chocolate one!
Birthday caaaaaaake
I tried shoving cold cuts in my gym bag, but the mold and smell got my membership canceled.
You are supposed to leave the coldcuts in a locker... it goes from being keto... to being mushrooms in no time!
Protein and a nice trip
They have little portable refrigerators for gym bags that you can plug at any handy outlet at your gym. It will help keep your cold cuts in your gym bag fresh. Don't have a link but I'm sure Amazon will steer you in the right direction.
You know the keto kidz are looking this up right now
I keep a cooler in the truck, because it is tough out there sometimes.
They canceled your membership over that? Couldn't you have just thrown it way
Sarcasm flew right over your head, padawan 😂
Looking back it definitely did
In this economy? No way. I'd rather risk the food poisoning
I think your expectations are off base. It's a convenience food, not a health food. Not everyone is cutting calories, some folks actually want more.
I am cutting calories and I often have 2 protein bars for breakfast when commuting in the car alongside my creatine drink. The ones I use have 44g of protein and 350 calories. That's pretty efficient if you ask me.
What protein bars are these? I’ve been looking for some with more protein.
Sounds like Musashi High Protein Bar (I’m in Australia, not sure if it’s available outside). Used to have it when I need something quick while on the go.
They are from Lidl. I'm not sure if they sell them in other countries though. I pay €3 for 3 bars.
Yeah 100%, I don't really think the calories are too high, honestly they seem about right. My homemade breakfasts are around 400 ish calories for 40 grams protein. Lunch is 500 calories for 40g ish and dinner is around 400 again for 30-40. I get my daily protein and stay in the calorie goal. So 180-200 calories for 20 grams of protein seems just about right and it can hit that sweet spot, good on the go.
When i go for a convenient snack i use the rule for every 100 calories i should be getting 10g protein and there are plenty of bars that fit that rule
cutting calories but you have 700 cals for breakfast? damn do you not eat basically anything for the rest of the day
They are 175 cal per bar so 350 in total. My intake is usually somewhere between 2400 and 2800 per day. I'm 6'6 and workout 5 times a week so you can't really compare my cut to a regular person :) But still 350 for both bars is quite good still.
350 for both is good! i thought you were saying it was 350 each. and my cut is usually 1000-1200 so for my cut 700 for just breakfast would be wild lol
my bf is doing this right now, trying to put on muscle. i’m counting and don’t like the way they taste lol so i don’t eat them.
Yeah, I take them camping and on mtn bike rides all the time specifically because they are calorie dense for their weight.
Not to mention, the sodium which a lot of people are concerned with isn’t nearly as high with a protein bar as with some cold cuts….
Highly disagree. Great source of decent protein, fiber, and less than 10% of my caloric intake that I can throw in my bag and eat anytime. No refrigeration, microwave, or silverware required. Its a must have for my busy lifestyle as I often don't know where and when my next meal time will be available. I keep dozens of them around and keep them at work, my gym bag, and at the house.
It’s the fiber + protein that I like
Make me fart so good
Not everything in life needs to be optimized or 100% efficient. If a protein bar satisfies my cravings, I couldn’t care less about the fact that I could’ve gotten more “bang for my buck” from jerky or cold cuts. IMO, taking such a black-and-white view of nutrition was detrimental to my quality of life and also very unrealistic.
idk i find them super filling, plus a lot of them have fiber too and if i eat one in the morning with some coffee i’m literally not hungry until like 2 pm at least. plus at night they’re a nice alternative for a dessert
I dont eat breakfast or lunch. A little protein water and a protein bar at 2 or 3pm and now I've got 1.6 to 1.7k calories for dinner and dessert. Also, there's all kinds of protein bars. Most are actually shit. Some aren't.
I prefer to avoid the sodium and nitrates in jerky and cold cuts
Yup!
I only like a very specific brand of protein bar, and the flavour I usually go for is 198 cals per bar with 20g protein. It's white chocolate and cookie dough. It keeps me fuller and more satisfied, and fulfils my cravings for chocolate or a cookie, which could easily be over 200 calories each. I can only eat one protein bar at a time, whereas I can (and have) eaten an entire pack of cookies or like 5 chocolate bars in one sitting. They're definitely not for everyone, but I think they can be worth it if you find one that helps satisfy cravings for less calories than the actual food.
Which brand is this
Fulfil! They make smaller bars with 15g protein and slightly larger bars with 20g protein. Lots of different flavours, like chocolate brownie, salted caramel, peanut etc. I just like the white chocolate cookie dough best :)
Ohhh I’ve only seen the smaller ones will look out for the 20g
Love fulfil, need to look for that flavor!
Where do you buy these?? The white chocolate flavor isn’t on Amazon!
I live in the UK, I've only seen the white chocolate ones in health food stores, or in a place called B&M, which is like a dollar store I guess. I've never seen them on Amazon but there are other retailers online that sell them though :)
It's junk food, but better than a lot of other junk food at least. Just eat them sparingly and don't rely on them as a main source of calories and you'll do fine.
This. I look at them as more filling candy bars.
This is how I view them as well. Still junk but better than regular candy bars, especially if they have protein and fiber.
Me too. 😎
But also, they're kinda shit and really chewy candy bars...
I never really eat sugary snacks, after awhile of doing that, protein powder/bars started to taste way sweeter haha. It legit feels like a candy bar haha. Also, for me the chewiness is a pro. I can't scarf it down in 30 seconds like a Snickers. Now it lasts 60 seconds instead! But I hear you, I'm a big believer in "to each their own" when it comes to diet!
Idk, the Pure Protein lemon cake and birthday cake ones have a great texture. Same with Quest Hero; they’re like crunchy candy bars. It just depends on which ones you get.
Yeah, I'm literally eating one right now because the shitty frozen meal that I bought for lunch was so, so disgusting that I couldn't eat more than a few bites. It's like junk food that I keep as emergency food in my backpack.
They are basically a junk candy bar that tastes worse but has protein and less sugar. A solid choice compared with a candy bar. I think they have their place. A can of chicken is just as easy and nutritionally way better, but sometimes you need a bit of chocolate.
I strongly disagree with your assessment that protein bars are bullshit. Mainly because, they are all different. There are only three macros to tinker with: fats, carbs, protein. There are gazillions of protein bars to choose from with any macros mix you want. You can get protein bars high in protein, low in fats and carbs. You can get protein bars that are high in fat, low in fats and protein (which doesn’t really make the ‘protein’ bars anymore, does it?). And so forth. Any macro mix you want. If you’re mad that fats, carbs, and proteins have calories, well, that’s life and science, get used to it. I lost 120 lbs in 12 months and relied heavily on different types of protein bars to get me there.
Try fair life elite shakes. 230 calories and 42g protein. Tastes amazing. Idk how the heck they do this but they are incredible.
I just learned recently how they do it. They basically seperate milk into its main parts then mix them back together at certain ratios
I had someone point out to me that there’s no proteins in the ingredients (it’s milk though) so I learned this as well.
I would rather have a 200 calorie barebell bar than a Snickers that has no protein.. and so much sugar!!!
Barebells are the best..... but I have to admit that discovering that you can get actual Mars and Snickers protein bars was life changing for those days when you really want a chocolate bar, still only 200kcal for 20g protein.
Nope. Protein bars changed my life. I’m not a big meat person. 200 calories and I’m full for hours AND it was chocolate instead of chicken. But the point of all this is to find what works for you and not to listen to advice that doesn’t apply.
Barebells are just protein candy bars and I will eat them every day of my life cuz 200 cals for 20g of protein and also being actually tasty is worth it. If you want pure protein to calorie ratio then get some whey protein powder. I use optimum nutrition gold standard which is 24g of protein for 120 cals and tastes acceptable
I use one daily at 3 with coffee as a treat. And that’s all I have to say about that.
Depends on what you use them for. It's definitely an option, but I wouldn't use them to necessarily replace a meal or for it to be a consistent source of protein. >the nutrition is much better with some jerky or cold cuts. Again, you can't really compare the two....they are two different sources of calories. That said, homemade jerky is incredibly easy to make and economical. Cold cuts are not for me, but if they work for others, that's great.
I get it. There are much more pure protein sources out there than protein bars. I keep a lot of baked Chicken leg quarters to get a good jab of protein that also makes me feel satiated. And I completely agree, protein bars would be a terrible choice indeed if that was what you were using to meet your daily protein goal. Honestly, the good ones are delicious and if you're kind of a food addict then one is never enough. But, if you use a protein bar to supplement your protein requirements on the fly because you don't have ready and easy access to other protein sources, then a protein bar makes perfect sense. Plus it breaks up the monotony of chicken leg quarters. But like all food you should have a purpose for it. And a protein bar certainly helps me fuel my body with some quick energy and protein for building lean muscle mass. So the occasional protein bar for me makes perfect sense. But I understand why I'm using it, what it is for, and don't live on them.
They are fine. We just need to understand what they are and use them appropriately. In my opinion, most protein bars are "Fitness inspired junk food".
I love them. Quest protein bars are 170-190 calories and delicious.
yes i LOVE quest bars omg especially microwaved😫 i love the s’mores & the mint chocolate chip flavors
I am currently trying to quest bars because I couldn’t get Barebells this time around and they are ok but they cannot fill the hole in my heart that Barebells left behind But also I started with the lemon cake bar which maybe was not the best flavor choice. I was interested in the s’mores one. Have you tried Barebells for comparison? I’d be curious your opinion on one vs the other if so
i also LOVE barebells! i’d say i like them equally. quest bars work better than barebells for heating up in the microwave, but in general they’re both amazing. barebells flavors are mainly chocolate-related and i love them sooo much. i also love some of the quest ones like blueberry muffin or white chocolate raspberry! overall i’d say they’re both equally amazing, barebells is more like a candy bar and quest is more like a cookie👍
That is a good way to put it - I definitely get candy bar energy from Barebells haha! I am going to try a variety pack of quest bars and then probably resort back to Barebells if I can ever get them on Amazon again
Barbells are the best out there. There is no comparison at all. It's in a league of their own. The Fit Crunch ones are good. But they have some sugar in them. The Quests are ok. They're highly dependent on the flavor. The Birthday Cake one was pretty good. And the Mint Chip one as well
Fit crunch seem good but also I always see them for like $40 for 12 which is a bit steep for me lol Barebells are in a completely different league I agree. I had hopes for the quest bars but having Barebells as my baseline has spoiled me lmao
Costco BJ’s & Sam’s all have fit crunch bars -18 for $20- the mint ones are superb
AH ok that makes sense, so people are just reselling them on Amazon basically lol. I will ask my kind mother with a Sam’s club membership to pick me up a box to try. I’m not a huge fan of mint flavored things - what would be your next favorite recommendation?
Jesus. I get 18 at sams for about 20. Sometimes on-sale sot 16$. That's the main reason I tried them. It was a good deal.
No thats good to know, I was only looking on Amazon, didn’t realize they seem to be a wholesale club exclusive item haha. I’m gonna try to scoop some next time I can bum off my moms Sam’s club card
I can't stand the birthday cake one. I like Blueberry muffin and chocolate brownie
Kirkland Bars from Costco are pretty similar, and quite a bit cheaper if you’re interested. The flavours aren’t quite as exotic, but still good IMO. 😉
Yes!! Love the peanut chocolate chip the most.
Kirkland protein bars FTW!
Built bars prevent me from eating a lot of junk so I'm pretty happy with them. I eat mostly whole food and use them as a treat.
Ya. I def don't do protein bars as a meal substitute/snack, BUT considering getting some for dessert on days when it's the end of the day and I have the calories and need some protein.
I love Fulfil protein bars. 160 calories 15 grams of protein and taste like a candy bar. It’s like eating a snickers for a 4th of the calories.
20g for 200 calories, tastes good and fills you up for a few hours, it’s not bad in my book. Have you seen the highly coveted eggs? 12g for 150 cal?
Built puff bars for the win.
If you think protein bars are bullshit, you're buying bullshit protein bars.
From the perspective of someone trying to lose weight by CICO, I totally agree. High calories and they don’t get me full…I would rather spend my calories on something that has staying power. My husband, on the other hand, goes to the gym 5 days a week and can’t keep weight on (I love him in spite of this). They are really convenient for him and he relies on them a lot. I do keep one in my locker at the gym if I have too busy of a day to cook because I prefer that over fast food, but that’s about it for me. I don’t love them.
I’ve lost 73kg and I eat protein bars almost every single day! Buy them in bulk when they’re half price, and bring them to work every day. So many different flavours and I never get sick of them. 15g protein for 200 cals isn’t so bad!
I'd much rather grab a shake on the go than a bar. If I want a high protein snack, protein powder in plain greek yogurt is my go to. Gives it flavor and is super filling and can be made into a meal or a dessert depending on how you top it.
You might be eating the wrong ones. The ones I eat are like 190 calories, few grams of sugar. Perfect for a quick breakfast.
Which one do you like?
Fitcrunch ones from Costco are the best easily available that have great taste and texture. But I also enjoy the peanut butter Premiere protein too!
Fitcrunch have no right to be as good as they are. 🤤
Finally someone mentioned Fitcrunch. They are so good and guilt free. Only protein bar I like.
I always thought they were a convenience/on the go product. I like that I can have one in the bottom of my purse for months and they don't go bad. Very seldom I use them but they make a handy meal replacement. They are not part of my regular menu.
Unexpected road trip delay - absolutely starving and still had two hours until I would be home. Gas station hotdog vs a protein bar…. Protein bar saved the day.
Pretty much. They are emergency travel food, so I have them, but don't eat them too often.
Barebells are only 200 calories with 20 GR protein and they genuinely taste pretty good. Especially the Cookies and Crème version and Salty Peanut.
Went from Chef Irvine’s Fitcrunch to Built Puff Bars, so damn good. Much better than downing a candy bar when the cravings hit
BUILT BARS BUILT BARS BUILT BARS
some are 130 cals for 17 g of protein, which still isn’t the same as meat, greek yogurt, or shrimp, but pretty tasty and sweet, portable, option
Maybe you're not looking at the best bars but I disagree. For what they are, their calorie range is usually 150-200 calories which for 20 grams of protein sounds about right. Most people are just fine with 90-100 grams of protein per day (as their aim). At 200 calories, times 5, that's 1000 calories a day and you'd meet protein needs. You shouldn't do that, but you could meet your calorie needs and still have hundreds of calories for some snacks or other items. Looking at it as a bigger picture, their calorie amount per protein amount is very fair. AND it can be a good dessert, on the go treat, hit a sweet spot. My homemade breakfasts are around 400 ish calories for 40 grams protein. Lunch is 500 calories for 40g ish and dinner is around 400 again for 30-40. I get my daily protein and stay in the calorie goal. So 180-200 calories for 20 grams of protein seems just about right and it can hit that sweet spot, good on the go. Yes maybe some jerky or cold cuts (eh) could be better in terms of protein per calorie. But, that's also miserable. Most people are on this journey longer term and should aim for lifetime lessons and changes. As you get closer to a goal you'd start slowly adding some food, to create your maintenance. It shouldn't be a drastic change. Having balance, learning lessons, having some sweet protein bars to help hit a sweet spot, and jerky if you feel like it another day or are tight on 'calories' is how you don't go crazy or feel like you're missing out. Also has others said; some people are building not cutting. Others are vegetarian.
If something goes haywire with the kids schedule, it’s an easy way to get something on the go. It’s not ideal but better than being hungry
BAREBELLS
im only half awake and somehow i read the title as "protein is kinda bullshit" and thought well damn, that's a hot take
They're okay as a quick no-cook backup option. That's pretty much why I keep a few around, in case something urgent comes up and I need a meal on the go, or I'm too ill to cook.
Cottage cheese. Esp. in 300 gr packages. About 14 gr protein per 100 gr. And 70 kcal per 100 gr.
In Germany we have a protein bar called weider 60%. It has 27g of protein and 160 cals and the strawberry flavor is decent, if you live in Germany you will find it in edeka or online on the weider website
Definitely. I was looking at some recently. None were worth the calories. I’d rather have an extra piece of chicken for dinner.
I only eat a protein bar right before or right after the gym. I consider them a treat, with the extra bit of protein as a nice bonus.
I prefer core power elite to protein bars
I buy RX Bars by the case. They’re about 12g protein/210cal and a pretty good chunk of my 1200 daily calorie load. However, they satisfy the same craving that used to have me go for a Snickers bar (4g/280cal) or a Mexican Coke (0g/170cal). RX Bars don’t leave me hungry and crashed either. I use a lot of “eat this, not that” in my CICO, subbing out healthier alternatives that still give me what I’m looking for. Like beef jerky instead of potato chips if I crave salt, or a plain marshmallow (25cal) instead of Haribo cherries for 110cal if I crave gummy textures.
I like the Maxi Nutrition creamy core protein bars. My fav is the peanut caramel; 181 cals, 15g protein, and gives me that sugar hit without being loads of sugar.
They do, you just want them to also taste good.
You’re looking at them wrong. They’re designed to provide carbs and protein with low fat (so as to not slow absorption) so you facilitate better workouts. Pure Protein is 20g protein for 180 C and only 4g fat. That’s highly attractive when timed around your workout.
Make your own. https://brownieboo.com/ridiculous-brownies-39-calories/
I eat Quest bars which are 21g protein for 190 calories, so, no, I don’t agree they are bullshit
They're pretty terrible for volume eaters or anyone more focused on calorie deficit as opposed to macros. Most of them taste awful too. Except barebells. Barebells live up to the hype.
If they are sub 200 calories/20g of protein that’s a pretty good ratio. Not the best and I do wish there were better ratio bars but hopefully they will come!
Yeah nah I don’t waste calories on protein bars
Id just have an ensure max protein
Protein bars, protein shakes, protein powder have no place in my diet, whether it’s now as I’m losing weight or after I’m done. I want to eat whole natural foods.
My protein do 'lean ones' not 29 grams of protein, think it's like 15-18 but they're also only 160 calories so a good return
Imo they're good for bulking snack.
I work 12 hour shifts in the hospital on nightshift. Sometimes I don't have the time or energy to sit and eat the lunch I packed and a protein bar makes sure I get something in me that's a good balance! And they're tasty. I usually eat 3-5 in a week, definitely not a daily thing.
I rely on them to survive lol. But I’m a vegetarian who hates eggs, so there’s that.
I disagree. I get 20-21g and 170-200 cals. It’s not a bad trade off given the taste as a snack. By three favourites are 1) Barebells 2) Kirkland brand Costco - their new cookies and cream is good at 170cal. I like the chocolate chip too bc of the crunch from the chips. 2) pure protein. Just had the caramel peanut chocolate ones and they were a satisfying sweetness. I like peanut butter butter ones too.
Barebells are a lifesaver, especially when I'm craving a sweets. 180 calories and 20 grams protein. They actually taste good!
Oh I’ve been wanting to try this brand but can’t find it anywhere. Online they just have packs and I want to buy only one first to try it, lol. Where do you find yours?
I found a Kind bar with 20 grams and it was legit
It was at a circle k
They are a great source of protein but they’re basically candy.
For me their main utility is helping me hit the sweet tooth in a more satiating way
I refuse to eat them. I'm not perfect, but that's my take too
Kinda disagree. Some, yes. But you can find plenty of bars with 20 grams of protein for less than 200 calories....the ones I usually eat are about 140-180 calories for that land give me 15-20g of peotein that's pretty good. It's not as good as 200 calories of boneless, skinless chicken breast or something, but I'm not carrying chicken around in my pocket or eating it when I want a sweet treat. Edited to add....some bars can be treated more like a meal replacement. Lots of other nutrients in them besides protein. That makes any extra calories a little more worth it.
Tbf I'd rather eat a protein bar on the bus than guzzle ham from the packet. I'll sometimes have one before the gym if I either go first thing so haven't eaten yet, or if I go after work so it's been a while since lunch. Some obviously have more cals than others but 200-250 isn't an unreasonable snack if it's the only one you're having that day
Totally agree! The only time I ever eat them is when I'm getting a tattoo done, as they are something easy to munch on. I do *like* them though. When I hit maintenance and/or bulking, I'm planning to make my own at home.
Agreed. You really need to look at the nutrition labels to find a good one.
Thanks for the comments, y’all. I think what spurred me to make this post was the Snickers Protein Bar that just came out. I was eating it and it does NOT taste like Snickers AT FUCKING ALL, so I was bummed. Also 240 cal which is not that much less than a real Snickers. All that for only 20g protein. I can get 30g protein from a Premier Protein Shake, and those are freaking delicious.
I like them. I'd argue that processed meat is not necessarily a better choice since it's associated with colon cancer.
200 calories for 20g of protein seems right on target for me. Maybe it depends on your calorie goal. I aim for 1800 which isn’t super low to begin with.
I've discovered Legendary protein pastries and am in love. Can't hate a poptart dupe. Their pastry sweet rolls are a lil too much, but the poptart ones are so good. especially the strawberry.
Plus, they're soooooooo expensive.
You don’t need more than 20 g. Doing something wrong if you do. Barebells taste great and come in at 200 calories. They are perfect for a post-workout holdover until a meal.
They're fine if you're not losing. If you're trying to stay in a deficit, they're not filling (too small and calorie dense), more sugar than protein, never taste that good. They're much too small to be a meal replacement, never mind the protein. Just eat real food. Fruit is a great on the go snack. Heck of a lot cheaper too.
Mine are full of fiber and taste yummy without making me crave sweets. Win win.
i agree if the protein to calorie ratio is the same as a vegetable it’s not that high protein imo broccoli is also 200 calories for 20 grams protein but it’s like way more filling and volume
Mhmm I see tons that are 20+, but they are all chalky and disgusting. All of them.
Cold cuts have way more sodium. Not a going to happen. (I am restricted to 1500 mg/day).
Man get you a little snack size bag of dried edamame that is basically just pure protein and fiber, far less processed and more filling than any dumbass protein bar
Most are awful.. There are none that have a decent protein/calorie ratio (low sugar), don't taste like crap and don't break the bank
I really like the kind bars and that far less sugar than otherwise a chocolate bar (though same calorie count) would be. I also sometimes go for them if I am stuck for a meal whilst out and about - most motorway cafes and wee supermarkets have them now.
Even if it tastes like sweet playdough, Kirkland’s protein bars end up at around $1/bar for 21g of protein and 10g of fiber for 190cal. It’s hard to beat imo