I tasted 9 protein bars – all were delicious but most were packed with nasty ingredients or sugar

THE words ‘high protein’ are stamped on pretty much every food these days. 

There’s protein bread, protein pizzas, protein ice-cream and even protein water.

Darren Fletcher

Lucy Gornall tried a number of protein bars – were they delicious as well as nutritious?[/caption]

But one of the easiest protein products to reach for is the protein bar. 

In the 1970s, bodybuilders and athletes used them to aid muscle growth and recovery.

But they became mainstream by the 1990s, and in 2025, more than a fifth of us eat them every single week.

The global protein bar market is now thought to be worth a staggering $14.2billion and is only set to rise. 

But are protein bars actually healthy, and are some better than others? 

Experts say they can be, but some contain nasty ingredients, with links to gut issues.

Here’s the lowdown. 

WHAT IS PROTEIN?

PROTEIN is an essential macronutrient.

It’s needed for healthy muscles, skin, hair, hormones and a strong immune system.

Good sources include meat, fish, eggs, tofu, beans and dairy, to name just a few.

But when we don’t have time to whip up a meal or we need an alternative to sugar-laden biscuits and fatty crisps, many of us turn to protein bars. 

Getty

Protein bars have become so popular that even brands known for their chocolate make them – but the nutrition on the label reveals the ones worth trying[/caption]

Protein bars offer a convenient, on-the-go option to easily increase your intake. But are they as healthy as we think?

As a personal trainer, health writer and general wellness and fitness fanatic, I decided to pay several to the test, and ask experts for their verdict too. 

BodyMe Turmeric Lemon Protein bar: 5/5

Price: £32 for 12 (from Body Me)

• Protein: 16.4g per 60g bar (27.3g per 100g)
• Sugar: 15.7g per 60g bar (26.2g per 100g)
• Fat: 10.8g per 60g bar (18g per 100g)
• Fibre: 2.5g per 60g bar (4.2g per 100g)
• Calories: 155 per 60g bar (258 per 100g)

BodyMe

BodyMe Turmeric Lemon Protein bar[/caption]

Darren Fletcher

Lucy called the BodyMe protein bar a “definite winner”[/caption]

A VEGAN-friendly bar with 16g of plant protein from a mix of peas, brown rice and hemp, registered nutritionist Claire Hitchen says that this “fits the bill for a more whole food-based option”.

“Hemp has a higher fibre content and is also a source of omega-3 fatty acids,” she adds.

“This bar doesn’t contain artificial sweeteners or other additives and the ingredients are all organic too, which can help to reduce your exposure to pesticides and other chemicals.”

Taste test: This flavour makes a change from the usual peanut butter and chocolate protein bars that I’m used to.

The strong lemon flavour makes it taste a little like lemon meringue pie, however it’s not overly sweet. 

I like how fudgy it is, without tearing my teeth out with every bite. A definite winner! 

Protein Ball Co High Protein Peanut Butter Energy Balls: 5/5

Price: £18.99 for 10 bags (from The Protein Ball Co) 

• Protein: 10g per 45g bag (22.1g per 100g)
• Sugar: 16.1g per 45g bag (35.7g per 100g)
• Fat: 8.2g per 45g bag (18.3g per 100g)
• Fibre: 2.7g per 45g bag (6g per 100g) 
• Calories: 188 per 45 bag (417 per 100g)

Protein Ball Co

Protein Ball Co High Protein Peanut Butter Energy Balls[/caption]

“MADE largely with dates and nuts, this is a whole food-based product that provides better nutritional value than most other ‘protein’ bars and snacks,” says Claire.

“The 10g of protein per pack comes from the nuts, as well as whey protein isolate, which is considered to be a high-quality protein that’s absorbed well and can help with muscle gain and cardiometabolic health.”

It has the benefit of added vitamin D3, which supports bone health, mood regulation and immune function, and it’s free from artificial sweeteners.

Taste test: Like sweet, nutty, chewy balls of goodness, I love the nut lumps in these balls.

They’re super squidgy and delicious, and pretty healthy! 

Holland & Barrett Triactive Pistachio and Cranberry bar: 4.5/5

Price: £2.50 (from Holland & Barrett) 

• Protein: 8.7g per 50g bar (17g per 100g)
• Sugar: 11g per 50g bar (23g per 100g)
• Fat: 14g per 50g bar (28g per 100g)
• Fibre: 6.7g per 50g bar (13g per 100g)
• Calories: 250 per 50g bar (500 per 100g)

Holland & Barrett

Holland & Barrett Triactive Pistachio and Cranberry bar[/caption]

PRIMARILY made from peanuts, pistachios, dried cranberries and oats, this bar contains 8.7g of protein, which is slightly less than many others out there.

However, it does also contain 6.7g of fibre, which Claire says is a “plus” for this type of product.

“This has added B vitamins and magnesium which is a positive, but the type of magnesium included is magnesium oxide, which is less easily used by the body and may act as a laxative,” adds Claire.

Taste test: This is very tough on the jaw but tastes delicious. You wouldn’t think it was a protein bar. 

The pistachio lumps are great and I felt considerably full after eating a whole bar.

4. The Fast 800 Dark Chocolate Raspberry Protein Bar: 4/5

Price: £26.99 for 12 (from The Fast 500) 

• Protein: 14g per 45g bar (30g per 100g)
• Sugar: 1g per 45g bar (2.3g per 100g)
• Fat: 10g per 45g bar (22g per 100g)
• Fibre: 9g per 45g bar (20g per 100g)
• Calories: 192 per 45g bar (426 per 100g)

The Fast 800

The Fast 800 Dark Chocolate Raspberry Protein Bar[/caption]

EACH bar contains 14g of protein, coming from vegan sources like pea and rice.

“This product also contains 9g of fibre (nearly a third of your recommended daily fibre intake), seemingly from the added chicory root fibre – a prebiotic fibre that feeds beneficial gut bacteria,” says Claire.

“Be careful though, as this could trigger bloating and gas in some people, particularly in excess. 

“This bar also uses artificial sweeteners (a polyol called xylitol), which can trigger gut issues and have laxative effects, particularly if you’re eating them regularly.”

Taste test: Dark chocolate raspberry seems to be a popular protein bar choice but I’m here for it.

This tastes like a chocolate bar but knowing it’s not filled with cr** makes me feel much less guilty.

5. Warrior Crunch Fudge Brownie: 3.5/5

Price: £2.08 (from Asda)

• Protein: 20g per 64g bar (31g per 100g)
• Sugar: 2.1g per 64g bar (3.3g per 100g)
• Fat: 11g per 64g bar (17g per 100g)
• Fibre: 0g per 64g bar (0g per 100g)
• Calories: 239 per 64g bar (374 per 100g) 

Warrior

Warrior Crunch Fudge Brownie[/caption]

WITH an impressive 20g of protein per bar, which Warrior says is “almost as much as a chicken breast”, this is a handy way to top up your protein.

But Claire warns: “It’s not just about the protein. In a chicken breast, you’d get the protein alongside lots of other important nutrients, including B vitamins, zinc, iron, selenium and more.”

She says that despite this bar being “low sugar”, the artificial sweeteners used to replace it, known as polyols (sugar alcohols), can trigger gut symptoms, especially in people with irritable bowel syndrome.

“They’re approved for safe use as food additives, however more research is being done and the European Food Standards Association is currently re-evaluating the safety of maltitol, which is used in this bar.”

Healthline says: “After eating maltitol, some people experience stomach pains and gas. It can also act similarly to a laxative and cause diarrhoea. 

“The severity of these side effects depends on how much of it you eat and how your body reacts to it.”

Taste test: This tastes rich, exactly like a naughty brownie. 

The colourful little edible balls add an extra crunch and the bar generally is just the right amount of chewy.

6. Free Soul Chocolate Caramel and Peanut Vegan protein bar

Price: £16 for 12 (from FreeSoul)

• Protein: 16.5g per 50g bar (33g per 100g)
• Sugar: 0.5g per 50g bar (0.9g per 100g)
• Fat: 6g per 50g bar (12.1g per 100g)
• Fibre: 3.6g per 50g bar (7.1g per 100g)
• Calories: 159 per 50g bar (319 per 100g)

Free Soul

Free Soul Chocolate Caramel and Peanut Vegan Protein Bar[/caption]

THESE are described as “incredibly delicious, triple-layered, plant-based protein bars coated in real dark chocolate with a gooey core”.

Each one contains a decent 16.5g of protein and 3.6g of fibre.

“The sugar and calorie content are very low at 0.5g and around 159 respectively, however these bars do contain sugar alcohols like maltitol and xylitol,” says registered nutritionist Clarissa Lenherr. 

“They also contain more processed ingredients than I would typically like to see in a protein bar.”

This includes the emulsifier lecithin, the humectant vegetable glycerine, polydextrose as a bulking agent and gum acacia as a thickener. 

Taste test: The chocolate is super milky. 

I popped this in the microwave for 45 seconds and let it melt a little for a bit more of a gooey bar.

7. Fuel 10k Peanut Butter oat bar: 3/5

Price: £2.24 for 3 (from Asda)

• Protein: 9.7g per 45g bar (21.6g per 100g)
• Sugar: 8.4g per 45g bar (18.8g per 100g)
• Fat: 9.4g per 45g bar (20.9g per 100g) 
• Fibre: 5.1g per 45g bar (11.3g per 100g)
• Calories: 192 per 45g bar (426 per 100g)

Fuel

Fuel 10k Peanut Butter Oat Bar[/caption]

Darren Fletcher

Lucy says this is a good option for those who like oats for breakfast[/caption]

CLARISSA says: “This offers a convenient, vegan snack with 9.7g of protein and 5.1g of fibre.

“However, it contains 8.4g of sugar per serving, which is relatively high for a snack.”

With added sugars like rice syrup and refined sugar, stabilisers and natural flavourings, this one is best as an emergency snack option.

“I wouldn’t lean on it daily if you’re aiming for minimally processed choices and less sugar,” Clarissa adds. .

Taste test: If you like oats for breakfast, this is your bar. 

It’s crunchy and chewy in one with plenty of pumpkin seeds and sweet bits of dried fruit.

8. Real Meal Blueberry & Almond: 2.5/5

Price: £4.99 for one (from RealMeal) 

• Protein: 26g per 150g bar (17.3g per 100g)
• Sugar: 39.5g per 150g bar (26.3g per 100g)
• Fat: 22.1g per 150g bar (14.7g per 100g)
• Fibre: 13.5g per 150g bar (9g per 100g)
• Calories: 603 per 150g (402 per 100g) 

Real. Meal

Real Meal Blueberry & Almond[/caption]

MADE from mostly whole food ingredients with 26g of protein and 14g of fibre per bar, Clarissa says this is great for feeling full and for muscle maintenance.

“The sugar content is quite high at nearly 40g per bar – more than a can of Coke!” she adds.

“That’s likely down to the fact that this is designed to provide energy and fuel for performance. 

“I wouldn’t say this is a great everyday option for those who aren’t fueling for intense exercise like a marathon.” 

Taste test: Yum! The Blueberry & Almond flavour tastes like a berry, marzipan-style pie. 

It’s chewy and tasty and filled with chia seeds. It’s actually surprisingly filling too.

9. MyProtein Filled Wafer in Hazelnut: 2.5/5

Price: £15.99 for 12 (from MyProtein)

• Protein: 4.5g per 24g bar (20g per 100g) 
• Sugar: 7g per 24g bar (29g per 100g)
• Fat: 8.7g per 24g bar (36g per 100g)
• Fibre: 0g per 24g bar (1g per 100g)
• Calories: 133 per 24g bar (553 per 100g)

MyProtein

MyProtein Filled Wafer in Hazelnut[/caption]

AS a protein-enriched bar rather than a protein bar, this only provides 4.8g of protein.

Claire says this should only be seen as a sweet snack, just like you would see a chocolate bar.

“As well as the whey protein isolate, this product is made from sugar, different types of fat (shea fat, palm and milk fat), with chocolate, emulsifiers and flavourings,” she adds.

Taste test: I expected this to taste like a Kinder Bueno bar and to be honest, it’s not far off, just a little less creamy. 

But it still tastes naughty and thanks to being a wafer, it’s super light.

Protein isn’t just for bulking in the gym. It is the building block of a number of systems in the body.