I’ve been getting a ton of questions lately about which protein and snack bars are best. And it’s easy to understand where all the confusion is coming from since grocery stores are now packed with so many different options for protein, energy and meal replacement bars.

Personally, I believe that the majority of the food we eat should come from foods that don’t require labels (real, whole foods that come from the earth). However, that can be easier said than done. Between work, home life, social life and hobbies, most of us have jam-packed schedules, which make protein bars a nutritious and convenient addition to your diet. But you need to make sure your protein bar picks aren’t just junk food disguised in pretty packaging.

—First, let’s talk about when you should opt for a protein bar—

• Travel snack: Bars are great to have on hand for travel days or road trips. I never leave for a trip without several bars packed in my bag.
• On the go: Hangry isn’t a cute look on anyone. Plus, most people make poor food decisions when they’re overly hungry. Having a bar on hand when you’re out and about can help keep you sated until your next meal.
• Occasional treat: Fun flavors (like chocolate) can help satisfy a sweet tooth. 

Healthy Tip: Try to limit protein bars to one per day. Ideally, you’re only reaching for them 2-3 times per week, max. Exceptions include traveling and long days of outdoor activity.

—Next, let’s go over what to look for in your protein bar—

• Simple, short ingredient list
• Protein—aim for at least 5g of protein
• Low in sugar—with little to no “added” sugar

—Finally, on to the recs. Here are some of my top picks and why I like them—

RXBAR

These are made with a very short ingredient list and no added sugar! People either love or hate the texture of these, as they’re a bit chewy.

• Short, simple ingredient list
• 12g of protein from egg whites
• 4-5 grams of fiber per bar
• No added sugar. Each bar contains 12-15g of sugar from fruit (primarily dates)

BULLETPROOF BARS

These contain high-quality ingredients, plenty of healthy fats and are made with collagen protein. They do contain chicory root fiber, which is a prebiotic that can be problematic for individuals with GI issues—so this one may not be for you if you’re prone to gas and/or bloating.

• 11-13g of protein from grass-fed collagen protein
• 0-6 g of fiber. Opt for higher fiber flavors, such as Lemon Cookie, Vanilla Shortbread or Fudge Brownie
• A bit longer ingredient list but contains high-quality ingredients and plenty of healthy fats  
• 2-3 g of sugar, sweetened with a little stevia (which is the last ingredient on the list)

PRIMAL KITCHEN

These bars are delicious! Like Bulletproof Bars, the protein in these comes from collagen. They do, however, have a bit of added sugar to note.

• 15g of protein from grass-fed collagen protein
• 5-9g of fiber
• 3g of sugar from honey
• Simple ingredient list—almost all ingredients can be found in the average kitchen

LARABARS

I have been a fan of Larabars for a long time due to the super short, simple ingredient list and no added sugar. The only downside to this options is the low protein content. These are the only bars on my list that don’t have an added source of protein (the protein in these bars come from nuts and seeds) so they aren’t as filling as the other options.

• Super short, simple ingredient list, such as: cashews + dates or dates + peanuts + sea salt
• 2-4g of fiber
• 0g of added sugar, 15g of sugar from fruit (primarily dates)
• 4-5g of protein. Opt for the flavors with higher amounts of protein: Cashew Cookie (5g protein), Peanut Butter Cookie (6g protein) or Peanut Butter & Jelly (6g protein)

Larabars Nut & Seed containS less sugar overall (since it doesn’t contain dates) but does contain added sugar in the form of honey and maple syrup. Each bar has 5g of protein and 3-4g of fiber.

Larabar Superfood and Larabar Fruits + Greens are great options, too. They contain simple ingredients with no added sugar. However, they are also lower in protein (only about 2-4g per bar) so they aren’t the best snack to keep you satisfied for long.  

EVO HEMP

These vegan bars are made with dried fruits, nuts and seeds. The protein comes from hemp protein powder. I love the short, simple ingredient list and four delicious flavors: Cashew Cacao, Cherry Walnut, Mango Macadamia and Apple Pecan.

• Short, simple ingredient list, such as: dates, almond and hemp protein powder
• 3-4g of fiber
• 8-11g of sugar (mostly from fruit and coconut nectar, so this bar does contain a little added sweetener)
• 7g of protein

Have you tried any of the above protein bars? What did you think? Share your favorites in the comments!