Top Notch Protein Bars: Top Picks for Your Muscle Building Needs

Top Notch Protein Bars: Top Picks for Your Muscle Building Needs

Craving protein on the fly? You betcha! In this fast-paced world, it's a struggle to gobble down chicken breasts between meetings, right? That's where protein bars come to the rescue!

Protein bars are the ultimate lifesavers, enabling you to meet your daily protein goals without having to lug around grilled chicken breasts. But let's be honest, protein bars of yore were the epitome of yuck. However, thanks to a 90-degree turn in the last couple of decades, they've would give candy bars a run for their money in taste and nutrition.

Yet, just like Goldilocks discovered, not all protein bars are created equal. Heck, some of them are more alike to cardboard than edible food. So, we've tried every last one, and holy cow, have we encountered some duds!

Quest bars have quite the fanbase, and we get it – they're not unbearable with stevia. But, sorry guys, we just couldn't enjoy them. Meanwhile, ONE bars were our go-to faves, until Hershey's introduced a Super Nanny reboot that wrecked everything. We miss the old days, darn it!

Kirkland bars are a low-cost option, and Barebell bars are tasty treats – but they're got that dreaded sugar alcohol that leaves your gut bloated and gassy. Yikes!

But fear not! We've found some winners that check all the right boxes for a top-notch protein bar:

• A kick-ass nutritional profile with high protein, fiber, and low sugar
• A "clean" label that avoids processed ingredients and sugar
• Zero sugar alcohols to save your digestive system
• A yummy taste that doesn't make you wish you hadn't bothered
• Satiating power to keep hunger at bay

Here are our top picks (time to get excited!):

Peak Protein

Slick as a freshly-waxed sports car, Peak Protein bars are the creme de la creme of protein bars if you ask us. These bad boys ditch palm oil, artificial sweeteners, and sugar alcohols in favor of grass-fed whey, organic chocolate, and monk fruit. The fiber content will have your tummy thanking you! The only downsides? At a cool $3.50 a pop, these puppies aren't the cheapest around, and the high real chocolate content means these bars are best stored in the fridge (particularly if you reside in a tropical climate).

Kind Protein MAX

Looking for a soy-based protein bar? Give these KIND Protein MAX bars a whirl! At just $2 a pop, these bars are a bargain! Made with peanuts, they offer a taste similar to granola bars, perfect for you peanut butter enthusiasts. And don't you worry about low testosterone or high estrogen levels – unless you're knocking back over 60 grams of soy protein per day[1], you're probably safe.

David

And now, the new kid on the block – David bars. Endorsed by Peter Attia, these protein powerhouses are all the rage. The macronutrient count is impressive: just 2 grams of fiber but no sugar and a ton of protein, keeping you satiated for hours. With zero sugar and a jaw-dropping 1.0 PDCAAS score[2], these bars provide 100% or more of the amino acids needed in your diet. Don't let the taste fool you – it's tasty, but not as mouth-watering as some other bars, making them a good choice for those who prefer a more restrained dessert.

A couple of caveats: The price is a smidgen higher than Peak bars, and EPG (esterified propoxylated glycerol) is a component that, while generally regarded as safe, may be a culprit for some folks' digestive issues[3].

MET-Rx Big 100

Last but not least, we've got the O.G. MET-Rx bars. In the sea of protein bars with non-nutritive sweeteners, MET-Rx is a breath of fresh air – they've sworn off any artificial sweeteners entirely! That said, they're on the pricier side ($2.50) and high in sugar, but they're big enough to fill you up like a meal, making them a fantastic choice for those seeking satiety. What's more, they're widely available at gas stations and convenience stores.

So there you have it – some superb protein bars to fuel your muscular adventures this season! Happy snacking, folks!

Bonus Resources:

• Healthy Eating on the Road
• Lose Weight with the Protein Leverage Hypothesis
• How Much Protein is Enough?
• Weight Gain Strategies
• Protein Shakes: Upping Your Intake.
• Podcast #937: Protein – The Ins and Outs

Sources:

1. Alan Aragon's article "The Effect of Soy on Hormone Levels in Men: A Review" (https://alanaragon.com/articles/effect-of-soy-on-hormones-in-men/)
2. Journal of Food Science 66(3): R75-R85 (2001), "Protein Digestibility-Corrected Amino Acid Score (PD-CAAS): A proposed method for assessing protein quality in maize-based foods" (https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2621.2001.tb05173.x)
3. Quest Nutrition's blog "Metabolism, Gut Health and EPG: The Science Behind Quest's Shakes and Bars" (https://www.questnutrition.com/blogs/news/metabolism-gut-health-and-epg-the-science-behind-quests-shakes-and-bars)
4. For those seeking a protein bar that prioritizes health and wellness, Peak Protein bars offer a nutritious alternative with high protein, fiber, and low sugar, making them suitable for a balanced diet.
5. If you're looking for a budget-friendly soy-based protein bar, KIND Protein MAX bars at $2 per bar could be a worthwhile selection, providing a granola bar-like taste.
6. For individuals preferring a high-protein, low-sugar, and low-fiber bar that provides quality amino acids, David bars, endorsed by Peter Attia, could be an appealing choice, albeit slightly pricier than other options.
7. For a protein bar free from artificial sweeteners, MET-Rx Big 100 bars are worth considering despite their higher price and sugar content, as they are widely accessible and satiating.

In addition, resources on healthy eating on the road, understanding the Protein Leverage Hypothesis, determining adequate protein intake, weight gain strategies, protein shake consumption, and podcasts discussing protein benefits and challenges may provide further insight into selecting and incorporating protein bars into a fitness and exercise routine.

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