Dietitian Approved Nutrition Bars – Which Ones Make the Cut?
Not all nutrition bars are created equal. There are numerous nutrition and protein bars available today, but how do you decide which one to have as a healthy snack or meal alternative? As a dietitian, I receive lots of questions about which bars are best. So, I’ve put together a list of the good, ok, and less optimal choices for you to consider.
Read the Nutrition Facts Label
When shopping for nutrition bars, take a look at the nutrition facts label and aim to be within a couple grams or less of the following guidelines:
- Fiber – Ideally, one bar or serving should have at least 3 grams of fiber.
- Protein – At least 5 grams of protein per bar.
- Added Sugars – This should be as low as possible, but aim for 5 grams or less of ADDED sugars.
More Things to Consider
Other important considerations when choosing a bar:
- Recognizable Ingredients – We prefer bars made with whole food ingredients. A little chocolate is fine, but pick bars with ingredients you recognize when reading the ingredients on the nutrition facts label.
- No Artificial Sweeteners – Avoid artificial sweeteners and sugar alcohols. Plant and fruit-based sweeteners, including stevia and monk fruit, are better alternatives. For more information about low-calorie sweeteners, see our blog post The Truth About Sweeteners.
Below is a list of some commercially available nutrition and protein bars, ranked from good to not-so-good options. Of course, this is not an exhaustive list, but it can give you an idea of how to choose healthier bar options.
