Top 5 Protein Bars: Sugar Free, High Protein, Low Calorie

If previously protein bars could only be bought in specialized sports nutrition stores, today they can easily be found on the shelves of regular supermarkets. Such widespread use is explained by the ease of their use. Bars are fast, tasty and low-calorie.

But there are many different types on the market that differ not only in energy value. How to choose the best one? The top 5 protein bars will help you with this, including only the healthiest, most effective and best-selling “chocolates”.

We advise you to study: “The real benefits of protein bars: why they are better than ordinary sweets.”

QuestBar by Quest Nutrition

First in the ranking of protein bars is QuestBar from Quest Nutrition. It is often classified as “Sugar Free”, but in fact it is present in the composition, just in a very small amount. Thanks to the large portion of proteins, the absence of sugar and the low concentration of carbohydrates, the bar can be used even if you are gaining weight. Cost - on average 230 rubles. a piece.

Energy and nutritional value per 60 g serving:

calorie content - 190 kcal;
carbohydrates - 21 g;
proteins - 21 g;
fats - 8 g;
saturated fat - 3 g;
sugar - 1 g.

The composition contains milk and whey isolate as proteins. The bar also contains only natural flavors and sweeteners. The latter are stevia and sucralose.

Pros of the bar:

the presence of corn in soluble dietary fiber (excludes digestive disorders);
almost complete absence of sugar;
high protein content (30%);
almost complete absence of saturated fat;
no trans fats;
variety of tastes.

The best granola bars

The cereal bar was invented by a Swiss doctor as a therapeutic food. Today it is one of the most popular dietary treats. Such products are tasty and charge you with energy for a long time.

Corny Big

4.9

★★★★★

editorial assessment

94%

buyers recommend this product

The German-made muesli bar has a dense, slightly viscous structure. They are carefully made - there are no crooked or crumbling products. The packaging is easy to open by simply pulling the edges.

The calorie content of the bar is 155 kcal. Half of the composition is a mixture of 3-5 types of roasted cereals. Fat accounts for only 3 g. Corny Big contains no GMOs, preservatives, synthetic flavors or dyes. The manufacturer offers more than a dozen flavors to choose from.

Pros:

many tastes;
natural base;
sold in all stores;
convenient packaging.

Minuses:

contains gluten and sugar;
the price is above average (about 60 rubles per 50 g).

There are often discounts on brand products. During the promotion, you can buy bars at a better price.

Musler

4.8

★★★★★

editorial assessment

90%

buyers recommend this product

Russian Musler bars are made from whole grains with the addition of fruits and berries. The composition includes wheat and oat flakes, extruded rice and corn, fruit, berry or nut additives. The base is bound with fructose syrup, honey or yogurt glaze.

The bars do not contain preservatives, sugar, dyes or palm oil. Calorie content is low - 114 kcal. Flow pack packaging is easy to open without a knife or scissors. This snack is convenient to take with you.

Pros:

rich range of flavors;
sugarless;
reduced calorie content;
easy to open;
low cost (20 rubles).

Minuses:

not everyone likes the taste;
contains flavorings and emulsifiers.

Many people find the bar too sweet and cloying. But it goes well as a dessert with a cup of tea or coffee.

Cereal bar DiYes without sugar

4.8

★★★★★

editorial assessment

88%

buyers recommend this product

Small DiYes bars weigh only 25 g. The sugar-free composition does not harm the figure. Natural dark chocolate or yogurt gives it sweetness. The energy value of the product is less than 100 kcal. The product looks and smells delicious: crispy cereals and large pieces of fruit laid out in perfect shape. The taste is also not inferior.

Pros:

8 different flavors;
neat shape;
appetizing appearance;
low calorie content;
inexpensive (from 20 rubles).

Minuses:

imperfect composition;
small size.

One bar weighing 25 g is not enough to really fill you up. It can rather serve as a low-calorie treat for tea or as a healthy dessert after a full meal.

Bombbar Muesli

4.7

★★★★★

editorial assessment

87%

buyers recommend this product

Bombbar Muesli cereal bar is made on a natural basis and is suitable for a quick snack. The composition includes a mixture of nuts, rice balls, cereal flakes, pieces of fruit. Instead of sugar, the product uses the plant-based sweetener stevia.

The 60 g bar is filling and can replace a full breakfast or light dinner. The line includes 4 different flavors: peanut, hazelnut, strawberry-almond, assorted muesli. Products are sold individually or in packs of 21 pieces.

Pros:

does not contain sugar;
a lot of nuts;
quickly satisfies hunger;
variety of tastes.

Minuses:

a little expensive (from 45 rubles);
if consumed too often, it stimulates gas formation.

Bombbar's natural granola bar can be eaten during recess at school, in the office, after a workout, or used as a healthy dessert with a hot drink. It will appeal to people who care about the quality of their food.

BombBar

BombBar protein bars are a domestic product that has recently gained great popularity in its category. All thanks to the abundance of protein - according to this criterion, BombBar still has very few worthy “rivals” in the rating of protein bars for weight loss, especially considering the price. Its average cost is 100 rubles.

Ingredients per 60 g serving:

calorie content - 131-166 kcal (depending on taste);
carbohydrates - 3.1-5 g (depending on taste);
proteins - 20 g (micellar casein, whey protein concentrate);
fats - 4-8 g;
dietary fiber - 20 g;
vitamin C - 40 mg.

The sweetener in the bars is steviziod. The composition may contain traces of peanuts. It also contains sorbitol, which can have a laxative effect if consumed in excess.

Pros of the bar:

high proportion of protein in the composition;
low carbohydrate content;
large selection of flavors;
prolonged feeling of fullness.

The advantage of BombBar bars over QuestBar is that instead of soluble corn fiber, IMO (isomaltooligosaccharides) are used as fiber, which are absorbed by the body by 80%. IMO - dietary fiber comparable to wholemeal oatmeal.

The best nut bars

Nuts are good for the brain, cardiovascular system, and contain antioxidants and fatty acids. Bars based on them are a useful replacement for usual sweets.

Be-Kind

★★★★★

editorial assessment

97%

buyers recommend this product

Be-Kind amazes with its tastes. Chocolate lovers will find several options for themselves. There are interesting combinations of sweet and savory ingredients. The manufacturer's assortment also includes bars with honey, caramel, coconut, maple syrup and other additives.

The product is based on a mixture of almonds, pecans, peanuts and other nuts. They occupy 73% of the composition. The bar contains no gluten, GMOs or synthetic additives. Transparent packaging allows you to assess the condition of the dessert upon purchase.

Pros:

many tastes;
safe composition;
whole nuts;
transparent wrapper.

Minuses:

high price (about 80 rubles).

It is more profitable to buy Be-Kind in packs of 12 pieces. There are also often discounts on brand products.

Everyday Light

4.8

★★★★★

editorial assessment

92%

buyers recommend this product

Everyday Light Nut Bar contains only 110 kcal. The composition includes a mixture of whole nuts, cereal flakes, seeds, peanut butter and natural honey. The taste is not too sweet, most buyers like it.

The 30g bar is quite filling. It satisfies hunger for several hours, but does not replace a full meal. The flow pack packaging has a nondescript design, but opens easily.

Pros:

can be purchased at most stores;
low calorie content;
good composition;
is inexpensive (from 20 rubles).

Minuses:

not all tastes are good;
too hard.

The components in the bar are highly compressed, which makes it difficult for people with problem teeth to chew.

Nut&Go

4.8

★★★★★

editorial assessment

88%

buyers recommend this product

An inexpensive peanut and cranberry nut bar is available in most supermarkets. A product weighing 40 g contains 204 kcal. The snack is based on nuts, candied fruits, dried cranberries and dried apricots, covered in molasses. It turns out very nutritious.

The bar also contains sugar, palm oil, flavoring, and preservatives in small quantities. This composition is not suitable for demanding adherents of a healthy diet.

The product is packaged in a bright wrapper with a transparent viewing window through which the composition is visible. The bar chews well - it is not too hard. The combination of sweet molasses, nuts, sour cranberries and a hint of citrus is captivating.

Pros:

not too sweet in taste;
whole nuts;
satisfying;
cheap (from 15 rubles).

Minuses:

only 1 taste;
not an ideal composition.

It is better to store the product in the refrigerator, as at room temperature it becomes sticky and sticks to your teeth.

Protein Rex

Next in the ranking of the best protein bars are Protein Rex bars. Their line includes many flavors and several different servings: 35, 40, 50 and 60 g. All have a high enough protein content that allows the product to compete with BombBar.

So, for a 35 g serving, the amount of protein is 11 g, i.e. a little more than 30%. Approximately the same percentage of protein in the remaining servings:

40 g contains 10 g of protein,
for 50 - 17.5-18 g,
and for 60 g - 18 g.

The amount of carbohydrates in the composition is low - about 5 g. Proteins include whey and soy protein isolate, as well as milk protein concentrate. The latter is characterized by slower absorption, which allows you to maintain amino acids at a high level for 6-8 hours. Soy protein isolate, in turn, is useful during periods of drying and weight loss, and due to its plant origin, it is effective in reducing cholesterol levels.

Protein Rex bars also contain IMO, the same prebiotic found in BombBar. Another advantage is the presence of guarana extract, which has fat-burning properties. The average calorie content of one bar is 190-200 kcal. Cost - 50-130 rubles.

The best fruit bars

Most often found in fruit bars are prunes, dried apricots, cherries, raisins, and apple pieces. Manufacturers add more exotic fruits much less frequently.

RAW Life

★★★★★

editorial assessment

100%

buyers recommend this product

RAW Life offers 12 different flavors of nut and fruit bars. You can buy them individually or in packs of 3, 10 or 20 items. Fruits and berries are dried without heat treatment, thanks to which they retain all their beneficial properties.

Each product contains a complex of vitamins and minerals. There is no sugar, artificial colors, flavors, preservatives or other harmful additives. A bar weighing 47 g contains only 170 kcal.

Pros:

relatively low calorie content;
convenient packaging;
wide range of flavors;
useful natural composition.

Minuses:

cost (from 125 rubles).

RAW Life is a vegan product without dairy ingredients, soy or gluten.

Bite Box

★★★★★

editorial assessment

97%

buyers recommend this product

Bite Box fruit bars are an environmentally friendly natural product. They do not contain gluten, GMOs, sugar, lactose, colors or preservatives. This snack is suitable for vegans, vegetarians and anyone who cares about the quality of their diet. The composition is approved for children over 1 year of age.

The line includes 13 fruit flavors. The nutritional value of the bar is only 62.5 kcal. You can afford such snacks every day at any time of the day. The product is soft, nourishing and very tasty, loved by children and adults.

Pros:

bright beautiful packaging;
large selection of flavors;
ideal composition;
minimum calorie content.

Minuses:

very small and at the same time costs from 53 rubles.

Bite Box – bars for healthy snacks. Their high price is justified by their natural composition and excellent taste.

Gifts of the Pamirs “Mulberries from the Pamirs”

4.9

★★★★★

editorial assessment

94%

buyers recommend this product

The composition of the Dary Pamir fruit bar is extremely simple: 70% is mulberry, the remaining 30% is other dried fruits. The product is prepared without heat treatment. This allows you to preserve all the useful properties of the components. The bar strengthens the immune system, activates brain function, and reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

Despite its light weight (20 g), the dessert is nutritious and satiates for 1.5-2 hours. The shape of the product resembles a chocolate bar, it is convenient to break it into even pieces. The manufacturer offers 7 fruit flavors to choose from.

Pros:

several tastes;
suitable for raw foodists and vegans;
simple useful composition;
nutritious.

Minuses:

not sold everywhere;
A little expensive (50 rubles for 20 g).

The mulberry-based bar Dara Pamir will appeal to all lovers of this berry. The product can be used as a snack on the road or a healthy dessert for tea.

Protein Joy from QNT

The main feature of Protein Joy protein bars is their very low sugar level. It is contained in the composition in the amount of 2.2 g. This is slightly more than in QuestBar, but also not so significant.

Another advantage of the product is the presence of collagen peptides. This is an easily digestible and highly active form of collagen, indispensable in the body's regenerative processes. This is why Protein Joj takes its place in the ranking of the best protein bars.

Another plus is the unusual flavors of the line: “cookies-cream”, “cookies-caramel”, “vanilla”. The average cost is 180 rubles.

Ingredients per 60 g serving:

calorie content - 230 kcal;
carbohydrates - 21.6 g;
proteins - 22.8 g;
fats - 9 g;
sugar - 2.2 g.

Answers to additional questions

After reading the article, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with additional questions that some readers may have:

Can I eat protein bars at night?

At night you should not eat foods containing caffeine, and there are very few of these among sports bars, so such a night snack will not do any harm. But it is better to eat a protein bar before or after a workout, as it is quickly absorbed, and at night you should take a slow protein - casein.

Can you gain weight from low-calorie bars?

Even if you choose sugar-free, carb-free protein bars from the top rated weight loss products, they will still contain a certain amount of calories. Excessive consumption of any food item can lead to weight gain or even digestive problems.

Golden Bar by Maxler

Another place in the ranking of protein bars with a high protein content is given to Golden Bar from Maxler. Its special feature is its rich protein composition, which includes:

calcium caseinate;
milk protein isolate;
soy protein isolate;
collagen hydrolyzate.

Thanks to the abundance of proteins in the composition, the bars not only help you lose weight, but also promote muscle growth. And the natural carbohydrates in the composition additionally provide the body with energy. This combination of components makes Maxler's Golden Bar ideal for a snack if your goal is to lose weight and increase muscle size. Considering the main effects of the treat, it is recommended to consume it before and after training.

Another important advantage of Golden Bar from Maxler is the presence of microcrystalline cellulose, which helps cope with hunger. Once in the stomach, it swells and fills it, thereby providing a feeling of fullness.

Ingredients per 60 g serving:

calorie content - 266 kcal;
carbohydrates - 18 g;
proteins - 19 g;
fats - 14 g;
fiber - 2.7 g;
sugar - 11 g.

Recommendations from experts

Despite the obvious advantages of protein products, their use should be treated with caution. Nutritionists do not recommend replacing standard meals with them or using them as a basis for creating a diet menu.

The category should be used as an addition to the main, properly selected diet. According to the manufacturers' recommendations, you can consume no more than three products per day. The restriction is associated with increased amounts of protein, which, when in excess, negatively affects the functioning of internal organs.

The high calorie content of foods can play a cruel joke - if abused, the patient will begin to actively gain weight rather than lose weight. And with excess weight, it is difficult to correct your figure or build muscles. The result of excessive hobby will be obesity and serious problems with normal kidney function.

High protein bars are designed for people actively involved in sports. Without regular physical activity, their beneficial effects will be reduced to zero.

Benefits and harms

The bar provides a feeling of fullness. The combination of microelements, vitamins, carbohydrates and proteins promotes muscle growth.

It has been experimentally established that the inclusion of protein in the post-load diet along with carbohydrates in a ratio of 1/3 ensures a more rapid restoration of glycogen in the body compared to a “pure” carbohydrate diet.

The shelf life of the product in undamaged packaging is 1 year. Despite the benefits of using protein bars, they are not recommended to replace a full meal, since the body requires a more varied and balanced diet.