Weight loss

Take Your Diet To the Next Level With the Best Organic Protein Bars

There are thousands of protein bars out there, all having different philosophies behind them. As a result, choosing the best organic protein bars can be a daunting task. First and foremost, irrespective of your goals, there are things you’ll need to pay close attention to, such as the ingredients and nutritional value of the product. But worry not! We are here to guide you on finding the best natural protein bars and help you make an informed choice. So without further ado, let’s get down to business.

 

Why do people eat protein bars?

18 to 20 percent of a person’s body weight is protein, with around 10,000 different types inside the human body. From an essential building block protein such as collagen to muscle recovery protein or immune cell protein, they all have important functions in the body. And since the body makes them but they consequently break down into amino acids and various compounds, it is important to constantly refresh the protein stock. Hence, protein bars.

  Proteins bars make great, go-to snacks that keep hunger away. You can find them in most supermarkets and can be both satisfying and healthy alternatives due to their blend of protein, carbs, minerals and fiber. And, compared to other macronutrients such as carbs and fats, even the tiniest amount of protein can make you feel satiated for a longer period of time. 

   Protein bars serve as nutrients your body can readily call upon when you want to power through your workout regimen effectively. They are a handy treat when you haven’t eaten prior to training and you have no energy left. They are also fantastic for post workout too, if you feel like deviating from your regular protein shake, aiding in the repair of muscle fibers damaged during training and replenishment of depleted energy stores.  

  Protein bars may easily be used in weight management diets and plans as meal replacements. Most protein bars that serve as meal replacements are formulated with high protein content and additional ingredients that are designed to inhibit cravings and make you feel full. So that should be a great option to consider when you want to achieve your calories and portion control goals.

This is not to say that they should be used all the time and replace all the nutritious meals you can actually prepare and eat. They are a healthy convenience for days when you can’t get food. Moderation duly applies to protein bars too.

  Protein bars were criticized in the past for being too chewy with unpleasant flavors. It was commonplace to see people contriving to eat a protein bar for half an hour after a workout session. One would usually hear them say “it’s awful and hurts my jaw”.  

As innovations in technology trickled into the now-mainstream protein bar market, companies were forced to change their formulations. Today’s protein bars taste great and are easy to chew, an added benefit.

Which protein bars are the healthiest?

Nowadays, proteins bars are so ubiquitous that if they had arms and legs, they’d build their own city. They are formulated to be great-tasting and multi-functional. You see them in sports as “power bars” and in the diet section as meal replacement bars. They have made their way into the bags and pockets of everyone from school children to employees and from hikers to the aged and convalescing.

However, many products marketed as healthy are far from it. A great number of them contain saturated fats, hydrogenated oils, sugar, and saccharin. Some even contain more calories than a brick of chocolate.  You may even start to wonder if bars of any edible description are even healthy for you.

A useful thing in finding a healthy product is checking the order of ingredients.  Most people don’t know that such order reflects the quantity in a product. For example, if sugar is the first to appear on the list,  that means the sugar content is higher than any other ingredient.

More than that, a healthy protein bar should consist of a good source of fuel, such as a protein source, fruit or vegetable or fat source,  to keep you feeling fuller and energized for longer and provide the vitamins and minerals your diet might lack.

I am an advocate of eating organic and healthy foods. So after studying a large number of protein bars and consulting numerous experts in nutrition, we can say that there is no single best protein bar for everyone. It all boils down to your nutritional needs. On a general note, one of the best options for you would be an organic protein bar.

Why go organic?

If you insist on something clean and healthy like most people do, a protein bar with organic status can assure you of that.  There are countless brands and types out there, so choosing the best natural protein bars that will preserve the balance of a healthy diet should be the best thing for you and your goals.

As stated before, it is very important that you read the labels of the protein bars you consume because not all of them are made of natural/organic ingredients.

You’ll know if a protein bar is healthy if it has a reasonable amount of protein per calorie. Most protein bars yield between 15g to 25g of protein. 15g delivers around 200 calories while 25g delivers around 250 calories. These are normal levels for overall health and performance because they’ll only account for a small portion of your daily calorie intake.

For those out there struggling with weight loss, there are also products with 100-150 calories to help them reduce the calorie intake while slimming down their waistline. 

On the other hand, the best healthy snack bars are the ones  low in sugar and salt. Don’t be fooled by the various aliases of sugar, such as dextrose, high fructose corn syrup, maple syrup. They all mean sugar and end up causing the same thing: high sugar levels which result in you having an energy spike that will suddenly drop, resulting in a dip in energy.

Some also contain sugar alcohols like xylitol, mannitol, erythritol and sorbitol which hide the unpalatable taste of high protein and may cause gastrointestinal disturbances in some people.

High salt levels – in a similar way to sugar – may lead to high blood pressure and additional complications if consumption is prolonged.

How to buy a healthy organic protein bar

Ideally, you should look for the best natural protein bars by checking the label of any protein bar you pick in the market.

  The source of protein should be the first port of call. A protein bar is formulated from natural sources such as organic crops, grass-fed cows, free range chicken and GMO-free ingredients. Flee from poor-quality sources like defatted peanuts and gelatin.

Moreover, avoid those protein bars that say “high in protein” because you need to know safe-level amounts that are healthy for you with regards to the purpose you consume them for.

  Check the ingredients and don’t eat if it doesn’t comprise real food. Go for protein bars with short and recognizable ingredient listing with whole foods like fruits, seeds, nuts, whole grains instead of protein powders and sugar alcohols.

  Look for a minimum of 5g of dietary fiber content in a protein bar. Fiber is highly beneficial to the body because it helps to keep us fuller for longer periods. It helps to maintain a healthy body weight by regulating the body’s water intake.

  You might to take a hard line on sugar if you belong to a demographic that is affected by high amounts of it, or you are extremely cautious about losing weight, as plenty of protein bars contain them. Forbidding high sugar amounts could help you differentiate the best natural snack bars from those that are unhealthy. If the sugar content is high, it is highly probable that the total calories will be high as well.

All in all, sugar is a great indicator of the nutritional status of a protein bar and the best sugar is the one obtained from natural sources.

  The lesser the fat in your protein bar, the better. Fat is digested at a slower rate than carbs and protein and is an ingredient we want in limited amounts in our protein bar. Lots of protein bars contain lots of hidden calories and fats so check the pack for at least 7g or 11% of your recommended daily allowance.

You should vamoose whenever you see any bar that says “hydrogenated” as they are formulated by subjecting fruits or seeds to extreme temperature and chemical solvents during extraction.

  You may also want to avoid vegetable oils, soy oils, canola oils, palm oils, and seed oils from flax, sesame and sunflower because they may turn rancid when heated. Healthy fats include coconut oil, nuts and nut butter, seeds such as chia and pumpkin. Overall, steer clear from protein bars that say something like “Fractionated Palm Kernel Oil” or “Partially Hydrogenated Cottonseed and Rapeseed Oil” and embrace the likes of “Organic Peanut Butter (Unblanched Peanuts).

  Vitamins and minerals are important micronutrients as they serve to enhance energy regulation, metabolism, digestion, bone maintenance, hormonal response and immunity. Therefore, having them in your protein bar is a huge advantage.

  You might want to avoid protein bars with artificial sweeteners, additives and chemicals completely or condone just a little of it. Some can be remarkably sweeter than sugar and are usually included to keep the carbohydrate content in bar low albeit with a sweet taste. Altogether, products with unpronounceable names should be avoided.

The healthier option should be plain old natural sugars like sucrose, maltose and fructose from natural sources like dates and honey. As a precaution, also stay away from protein bars that contain ingredients such as nuts, gluten and soy that you might be allergic to.

One thing’s for sure. If a bar causes something else than satiety and a feeling of fullness than you might want to steer clear of it.

What is the best protein bar?

Protein bars have evolved from relative obscurity to being a staple for many people who need re-invigorating energy when taking on life’s tasks.  Proteins are made up of amino acids which are the building blocks that promote sustained metabolism and the development of muscle, hair, bones, hormones, protection from diseases and energy where there are no carbohydrates left to provide energy to your muscles.

They are the best natural snack bars available and they are a mainstay in many aisles in the supermarket. They come in many varieties based on your goals and needs. However, there are an awful lot of them that are produced using chemicals and are nothing more than a time bomb for your metabolism. As a result, the best protein bars are those that are balanced with healthy perks that come with little or no contraindications.

We have carefully selected the top five bars based on various criteria including protein content per serving, amount of sugar, fats, price, taste, user reviews and organic content and have wilted each one down to its bare specifics so you’ll know the one that perfectly suits your lifestyle on your road to a healthy and fulfilled lifestyle.

Top 5 Best organic protein bars

This product ticks many of the boxes we have described in the article as it provides quality protein with and a great taste. It is great for an active lifestyle and supports lean muscle. It is the right choice for an on-the-go lifestyle with 20g of protein and 2 grams of sugar per 1.76 oz. pack. This delicious bar is gluten-free and is packed with essential vitamins and minerals to fuel your day. It also contains milk, soy, peanuts and almonds.

Pros:
  • Low-carb and low sugar to fit weight loss diets
  • Variety of flavors and great taste
  • Great filling ability due to the 20g of protein and fiber
Cons:
  • Some users experienced gastrointestinal upset upon prolonged use
  • May not be suitable for individuals who are allergic to certain nuts

This bar consists of protein from pumpkin seeds with easily-recognizable ingredients. It meets the requirements of a gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free and non-GMO protein bar. It is also certified organic by the USDA, so all the ingredients are from natural sources. It contains 8g of clean plant-based protein, 7g sugar, 12g of fat and 180 calories per serving of 36g.

This protein bar is formulated to re-invigorate your body any time and is packed with the power of cinnamon seeds as well as copper, iron, zinc and magnesium. It also consists of the ever-safe coconut oil, cinnamon, ginger and pumpkin seeds.

Pros:
  • Low sugar and fat
  • Users of the cinnamon and chocolate flavors are astounded by its great nutrient profile
  • Vegan use, all organic ingredients
Cons:
  • Contains spices. Some users may find certain spices unpleasant or allergic

This is one fab gluten-free snack you just got to have with gobs of protein and an alluring list of ingredients. It comes with lots of different flavors and essential vitamins and minerals you need to pick you up on the go. It makes our list because it has a decadent combination of toasted coconut and chocolate and is great in between meals. It’s good for you and is delicious at the same time.

It contains the best ingredients, no artificial additives and is 80% organic. Ingredients include 9 grams of protein per 1.69 oz., organic coconut, organic almonds, organic dried cane syrup, organic soy lecithin and a ton of other organic nourishment. Users found it neither soggy nor gritty and highly nutritious.

Pros:
  • Low content of sugar and fat
  • Combination of good fats to help satisfy cravings
  • 80% organic and free from additives
Cons:
  • Contains soy and nuts so it is not suitable for people allergic to these

This makes our list of top five to buy because it is the perfect snack or sweet dessert. This protein bar with peanut butter fudge flavor delivers a balanced ratio of 13g of protein, 5g of sugar, 200 calories and 12g of fat in each 1.4 ounce serving.  Healthy ingredients include whey protein, organic palm oil, fructose and sea salt. It also features Proto Whey, a new form of dietary protein.

It also contains micro peptides that are designed specifically for human metabolism which include dieting muscle repair, energy, growth and disease immunity. Users have attested to its healthy high protein content, convenience and tastiness.

Pros:
  • High content of protein to sustain satiety without any heaviness
  • It contains essential minerals to keep you healthy
  • Organic ingredients
Cons:
  • Too sweet for some customers
  • Contains milk and peanuts. Not suitable for people with allergies to these substances

This is a combination formulated to energize your taste buds. It provides ample nutrition for sustained energy with its 20g of plant-based protein. A great mid-day snack of pre-workout boost of protein. Tap into its delicious multivariate flavors with its broad range of nourishing bars without any sugar alcohols which usually cause bloating. The blend of simple and organic ingredients provides the feeling of fullness that many users look for in a protein bar.

Pros:
  • 4g of dietary fibers
  • Includes chia and flax seeds, which provide omega-3 fatty acids to help prevent inflammation, reduce the risk of a heart attack
  • Gluten free, non-GMO project certified
Cons:
  • The sodium content may not be suitable for people with high blood pressure

Our choice

With the countless types and brands of organic protein bars out there, choosing the right one for you can turn out to be extremely difficult. If you’re aiming to include more convenient and healthy supplements into your diet, then Probar Protein Bar is among the best organic protein bars you should start with.

The organic status of this bar can secure a clean intake of 20g of pure plant-based protein per serving, working perfectly as a meal replacement or snack before workout. Add up the 4 grams of fiber and you will feel fuller for a longer period of time, which is exactly what most people want from their protein bars.  

On top of that, Probar protein bars have no animal protein, no milk, no dairy and no artificial ingredients. You can’t be any cleaner than that! And they are also safe for everyone to eat due to their gluten free content.

Taste is not an issue since the bar comes in a variety of flavors, to satisfy even the most picky of people.

 

The Captain

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