The Best 6 Healthy and Delicious High-Protein Snacks

KIND protein bars are top-notch because they're packed with real, wholesome ingredients you can actually pronounce. And, of course, they're loaded with protein to keep you full and fueled. Best of all: all flavors including Dark Chocolate can be found in any supermarket and online.

“KIND protein bars are my go-to afternoon pick-me-up thanks to their nutrient-dense ingredients and rich chocolaty flavor,” says Sackmann. Each bar has 12 grams of plant-based protein, which may be a little less than some other brands, but it also has 5 grams of fiber and a filling 240 calories.

The primary source of protein in these bars soy protein isolate, but it gets a healthy amount from peanuts as well. Peanuts are the number one ingredient, and add 10 grams of monounsaturated fats along with fiber, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. Sackmann recommends these bars for a protein boost between meals or an afternoon snack, especially when craving a sweet treat.

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In each G2G bar, you’ll get 18 grams of protein with no sugar alcohols, preservatives, or chalky aftertastes. “These nutrient-dense bars offer a convenient, high-protein, on-the-go snack for busy individuals,” says Baird, who also loves that they’re gluten-free, making them a great choice for anyone with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.

If you’re looking for a protein bar to replenish your energy stores and protein after a workout, G2G bars are a good option. Each bar clocks in at 300 calories and 24 grams of carbohydrates and also provides 4 grams of fiber, or 14 percent of the recommended daily value.

While they’re not as readily available as some protein bars, you can find them on the G2G website, where you can take advantage of subscription savings, Amazon, and even Costco.

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“For individuals looking for a high-quality protein source made from whole food ingredients, I recommend Transparent Labs Protein+ Bars,” says Pace. Each bar has 15 grams of protein from grass-fed whey, 23 grams of carbohydrates, 3 grams of fiber, and 5 grams of added sugars.

While each bar has tapioca syrup and honey, which add sweetness, they also use dates, which add natural sugars along with fiber and minerals like magnesium, selenium, and potassium.

We also appreciate the quality of ingredients used in these protein bars, as they’re free from artificial sweeteners, colors, and preservatives. “Choosing grass-fed whey protein provides more omega-3 fatty acids, which may benefit heart health and reduce inflammation,” says Pace. Grass-fed milk has 147 percent more omega-3 fatty acids and 52 percent less inflammatory omega-6 fatty acids than conventional dairy.

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Aloha Chocolate Fudge Brownie Protein Bars are a flavorful vegan option free from sugar alcohols and artificial ingredients. They get their 14 grams of protein from brown rice and pumpkin seeds. Each bar has just 4 grams of added sugars but doesn’t rely on sugar alcohols or artificial sweeteners, which is a major plus if your digestive system doesn’t tolerate them.

One of the best features of Aloha protein bars is the 10 grams of fiber in each bar. If you struggle to meet your daily fiber needs, this one bar helps you make a dent in your protein and fiber intake, providing 36 percent of the recommended daily value of fiber in just one bar.

The chocolate fudge brownie flavor is a fan favorite with its decadent chocolate taste and soft brownie-like texture. Still, you can find a variety of flavors with the same nutrient profile, including peanut butter chocolate chip, chocolate chip cookie dough, and lemon cashew.

Read More: Guide To Vegan Vs. Vegetarian

The wildly popular Barebells protein bars have 20 grams of protein and come in a variety of incredibly tasty flavors, including salty peanut bars, cookies and cream, chocolate dough, caramel cashew, and more. They’re sweet and flavorful with zero grams of added sugars, which is a big plus for anyone looking to lower their intake of carbohydrates and sugar. Instead, they’re sweetened with 5 grams of maltitol and the artificial sugar sucralose. Maltitol can have a laxative effect since it travels through the digestive system unabsorbed, attracting water with it as it moves, so avoid eating too many of these protein bars at once.

With 20 grams of protein from milk protein and bovine collagen, these bars are popular for people seeking muscle gain. What people love most about these bars is that they taste like candy and have a nice soft texture without the typical chalky taste that comes with many high-protein bars.

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“For muscle gain, I recommend Perfect Bars because they offer more energy and have a good amount of carbohydrates,” says Sackmann, who also recommends them as a meal replacement or a snack for people looking to build muscle or gain weight thanks to the higher amount of energy–340 calories–in each bar.

Baird also recommends Perfect Bars, which contain 20+ superfoods and 17 grams of protein from whole food sources. The protein comes from peanut butter, dried whole egg powder, and rice protein. The superfoods come from powdered whole foods, including tomato, orange, flax, kale, and more.

Along with 340 calories, you’ll also get 14 grams of monounsaturated fats, and each bar is an excellent source of vitamin E, niacin, pantothenic acid, phosphorus, magnesium, and copper. While each bar does have 13 grams of added sugars, which is a bit more than we’d like to see, the high fat and protein content helps to balance the nutrients out and slows down the digestion of sugars for more even energy.

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