The semester is officially in full swing, and with that comes navigating a busy schedule. Between jumping from class to class, long nights studying in the library, and attending frequent club meetings, you’re bound to be extra hungry, and we all know there’s nothing worst than being hungry with nothing to satisfy your appetite. With one year of college under my belt, I’ve learned never to go anywhere without a protein bar on hand. From the bar connoisseur herself (trust me, I’ve tried them all), here are my top nutritious protein bar picks to fuel you when you need a quick and hassle-free pick-me-up.
#1: Built Bar
Built Bars are a tried and true staple in my snack bin. Packed with 16 to 19 grams of protein per bar and between 130 and 180 calories each (depending on the flavor), these bars will boost your energy and help you reach your daily protein goals. Built Bars are the perfect crossover between a candy and protein bar. They have an incredible taste and texture that is unlike others I’ve tried, which are typically chalkier.
Some of my favorite flavors include Mint Brownie, Cookies and Cream, Salted Caramel, and Double Chocolate. Although the ingredients aren’t super clean, these bars are undoubtedly delicious and bursting with flavor. The crisp chocolate exterior and the chewy interior are melt-in-your-mouth good and will keep you full for hours.
#2: No Cow
I recently discovered the No Cow protein bars in my local health food store this past summer and immediately fell in love with them. Although they have a chalky and sticky texture, which is not for everyone, I find them to have a nice chew. Not only are No Cow Bars dairy-free, gluten-free, and vegan friendly, but they also have an impressive nutritional profile powered by plant-based fuel, packed with 20 to 22 grams of protein per bar and only one gram of sugar.
No Cow Bars also come in a wide range of flavors. Some of my favorites include Chunky Peanut Butter, Birthday Cake (loaded with rainbow sprinkles), Sticky Cinnamon Roll, and Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough. There is truly a flavor for everyone to enjoy, guilt-free.
#3: RXBAR
It seems like the RXBAR is all the rage these days, and the hype is deserved. RX is the perfect bar for you if you’re a health nut who looks closely for clean ingredients. Most of their bars contain only dates, egg whites, nuts, fruit or chocolate, sea salt, and minimal natural flavoring, producing a delicious and chewy bar with a clean source of protein. RXBARs are the real deal and embody their “No B.S.” attitude, which is branded boldly on their packaging.
Staple RXBAR flavors include Blueberry, Chocolate Sea Salt, Mint Chocolate, Peanut Butter, and Vanilla Almond to name a few. It’s important to note that the bars are a bit lower in protein than other options; however, that’s the tradeoff for being an incredibly clean, simple, and nutritious protein bar! If you’re overwhelmed and don’t know where to start, try their new seasonal fall flavors, Pumpkin Spice and Chocolate Cinnamon Brownie, which will warm your tastebuds as the colder weather rolls around.
#4: Raw Rev Glo
Last but definitely not least, the Raw Rev Glo bar is a favorite of my mine. I always have a stash on hand! Gluten-free, vegan, certified Kosher, and made from raw superfood ingredients, what’s not to like? These bars are literally a healthy version of raw cookie dough: sweet, chewy, and soft. Although these bars are not super high in protein, they are still nutritious and contain a considerable amount of fiber to keep you full for longer.
Raw Rev Glo knocks its flavors out of the park. They taste more like dessert than a nutritious snack. Pro tip: keep these bars in the fridge for the best consistency. Some of my favorites are Double Chocolate Brownie Batter, a chocolatey base that is the perfect sub for a real brownie, Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, stuffed with chocolate chunks that melt in your mouth, and Birthday Cake which is sweet, packed with rainbow sprinkles for added texture, and best of all, actually tastes like the cake batter you know and love. These bars are guaranteed to satisfy your sweet craving while, more importantly, fueling you!
You can’t go wrong with any of these bars. They’re all delicious, nutritious, filling, and convenient. So the next time you are at the grocery store or shopping on Amazon, give one of these a go! Your future hungry self will thank you.