In 2024, the trend of high-protein diets is on the rise, with everyone looking for easy ways to increase their protein intake. Dried beef sticks and protein powder are becoming the go-to snacks for many individuals. MyFitnessPal users have logged cottage cheese, a protein powerhouse, 35% more times in 2024 than in the previous year.
Protein bars are also gaining popularity, with sales surpassing $5 billion in 2023 and expected to grow by 6.4% over the next seven years. However, with a plethora of options available, it can be challenging to choose the best protein bars for your needs. To help you navigate the choices, we consulted with registered dietitian Daisy Mercer for her expert advice on selecting the right protein bar.
What Is The Nutritional Criteria For The Best Protein Bars?
Mercer emphasizes the importance of looking at two main factors when choosing a protein bar: added sugar and protein content. Ideally, a protein bar should contain at least 10 grams of protein and keep added sugars to a minimum.
When it comes to sugar, Mercer advises following the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which recommend that added sugars should make up less than 10% of your total daily calories. Tracking your daily sugar intake using tools like MyFitnessPal can help you stay within the recommended limits.
To make the selection process easier, we’ve compiled a list of better-for-you protein bars based on dietary preferences and restrictions, including whey protein bars, low-carb keto bars, gluten-free bars, dairy-free bars, soy-free bars, high-fiber bars, and plant-based bars.
Frequently Asked Questions
Registered dietitian Daisy Mercer addresses common questions about protein bars, covering topics such as their suitability as meal replacements, the best times to consume them, their potential role in weight loss, daily consumption recommendations, and how they compare to whole-food protein sources.
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