Can Protein Bars Taste Great?

One of the most popular snack options for gym-goers and healthy eaters who are always on the go is protein bars. While protein bars are healthy and packed with protein and other vitamins and minerals, most of them do not taste really good. And if you find one that does, it usually contains a not-so-healthy amount of sugar or is filled with fake sweeteners and other ingredients that seem questionable. When protein is mixed with all of that, you are just doing more harm than good when you eat them. 

If you are thinking of buying some protein bars and in search of best tasting low-carb protein bars, you might find some in the market, but they are only very limited. The protein bars available in the market are not all the same. Some may taste weird, while some taste better. But can protein bars really taste great and remain healthy at the same time? If you are also curious, read on as we’re giving you more information.

Why Do Most Protein Bars Taste Bad?

Protein bars can be considered the “fast food” of supplements for healthy eaters. If you do not have time to put together a healthy snack due to your busy schedule but are in desperate need of nutrition, eating a protein bar can be your last resort. But you need to endure the weird taste of most protein bars.

It is not very clear why most protein bars taste bad, but it may have something to do with the whey protein that they contain, along with the different kinds of sweeteners used. It’s because protein whey itself does not taste good. In addition to that, to keep the protein powder low in carbohydrates, manufacturers often use artificial sweeteners like aspartame or sucralose. The bad news is that neither of those sweeteners tastes good as well. Therefore, when they are combined with whey powder, the taste is not remarkable. 

Those ingredients are stuffed in a bar that most people think should taste like candy bars. Maybe because that is what appears to be marketable to many people. Many protein bars also contain hydrogenated oils and other particles that do not taste good. And if ever a protein bar does taste really good or delicious, it is most likely full of sugars, carbs, and fats, which should not be part of your diet. This is the reason protein bars should be your last resort when it comes to healthy eating. 

How to Choose a Protein Bar

protein bars on a plate

If you really want to eat protein bars or want to have some, just in case you might need a fast snack during your busy days, you need to pick one that contains the right ingredients. Protein bars come in different flavors, such as chocolate peanut butter, chocolate chip cookie dough, and more. But more than the flavor, it is essential to consider factors like protein blend, added sugar, amount of fiber, and the taste. 

How much protein should a protein bar contain? Most of the protein bars that you can find in the market have 12 to 20 grams of protein. If you want to build more muscle mass, then a protein bar that contains higher amounts of protein is what you need. But if you are just looking for a quick afternoon snack, you don’t really need to worry about the exact amount that much. 

In addition to that, another important factor to consider is picking gluten-free protein bars, especially if you have sensitivities to certain food. If you are following a vegan or vegetarian diet, you need to look for a protein bar that contains soy protein. This is because soy protein is the only vegan protein that has all the nine essential amino acids. However, keep in mind that soy is high in isoflavones that can mess with estrogen levels. 

Yes, we are discussing the taste of protein bars, but it is also important to understand their nutrition label and ingredients. This way, you will be able to choose the best protein bar for you. 

What Protein Bar Ingredients To Avoid

protein bars on a wooden surface

If you want to find a healthy and good-tasting protein bar, checking the label is a must. When you check the label, you need to consider fiber, protein, fat, sugar, and net carbs. The ideal choice is protein bars with 15 to 20 grams of protein, more than 10 grams of fiber, less than 5 grams of fat, less than 10 grams of net carbs, and less than 5 grams of sugar. Having this combination will help you feel full longer and feel energized as protein and fiber are two nutrients that take longer to digest. 

While those are the things you need to look for, there are also a few ingredients that you need to steer clear of. When you pick protein bars with delicious flavors on the label, you need to avoid those that contain ingredients like high fructose corn syrup, artificial colors, and palm kernel oil.

When you find a protein bar that fits all of these factors, how would you know that it won’t taste bad? Well, you actually will not know it until you taste them. But to help you out, you can view our list of the best-tasting protein bars with no carbs or sugar. The list may guide you in choosing protein bars that taste better than other options. 

Conclusion

It’s true for most people that protein bars taste weird or bad. But it still depends on your taste preferences. As we’ve mentioned earlier, protein bars are not all the same. If you are really into living a fit and healthy lifestyle, then enduring the protein bars that do not taste that good is the best option since they are usually the ones that contain all the essential nutrients and do not have added sugars and preservatives. But if you are only looking for a good snack that you can eat less often, then choosing better-tasting protein bars in fun flavors might work for you.