Protein Bars have become a go-to snack for students looking for something quick and filling, as well as a protein boost. They are a good pick-me-up before sports practices, at the gym and between classes. With dozens of options in any grocery store, it’s hard to know which one is truly the best option and worth buying. Some bars focus on protein, mainly for athletes, while others focus on clean ingredients and good taste. This review will compare several popular protein bars to see which bar delivers the best combination of flavor and nutrition for students.
BUILT Puff Protein brownie batter 5/5
The BUILT Puff protein bar brownie batter flavor stood out to me for its marshmallow-like texture, which is very different from any protein bar I’ve had. With about 140 calories and 17 grams of protein, it provides a good amount of protein without being too heavy. The chocolate coating combined with the soft brownie-tasting center gives it that dessert-style taste, making it feel more like a treat than a typical protein snack. It’s another great option for students looking for something sweet with a great protein addition.
Power Crunch Chocolate Mint – 4/5
The Power Crunch chocolate mint bar is unique from the others due to its wafer-style snack. I personally like this texture, and it reminds me of wafer treats. It has about 220 calories in 13 grams of protein; it offers a more moderate amount of protein but is very flavorful. The chocolate and mint combination balances perfectly to make a refreshing taste, with neither overpowering the other. The crispy layers stand out and differ from the denser bars. While the protein amount isn’t as high as the other competitors, the taste and texture make it a good contender.
Barebells Chocolate Dough 4/5
The Barebells Chocolate Dough Protein Bar is a great choice and more popular for its candy bar-like taste than a typical protein bar, with around 200 calories and 20 grams of protein. It gives a good protein boost while keeping the sugar amount very low, around one gram per bar. The chocolate coating and soft cookie dough center create the dessert-like flavor that a lot of protein bars lack, making this bar a delicious and healthy choice for someone with a sweet tooth. This is one of my personal favorites to hit my protein goal and have a tasty treat.
David Protein Chocolate Cookie Dough 3/5
The David protein bar focuses heavily on protein intake itself. It contains very simple ingredients, and each bar states that it contains 20 grams of protein with 150 calories; however, a recent lawsuit shows the bar contains many more calories than advertised. Deception aside, the texture is slightly dense and chewy, which is not my personal favorite, but is common among other protein bars as well. The flavor was decent, but not quite as good as the Barebells, where they taste just like candy. This bar is still a quick and convenient snack, and a decent pick!
Clif Chocolate chip 2/5
The chocolate chip Clif Bar is one of the most well-known bars, as you will likely find it in any store. It is known for a good energy boost for your day. With about 250 calories and around 10 grams of protein, it’s more focused on providing a source of energy than a good source of protein. The oats and chocolate chips give it a soft, chewy texture that tastes more like a granola bar than a protein bar. While it’s filling and made with organic ingredients, it has a higher sugar content, which makes it less ideal if you are mainly looking to increase your protein intake and reduce sugar consumption. With that being said, this bar was on the lower side of the rankings.
With a good selection of popular protein bars, my go-to would be Built Puff protein. Following this would be the Power Crunch, and lastly the Barebell. Overall, these options are great on-the-go snacks for teens and a yummy way to boost their protein intake. Take the recommendations as they come or try them for yourselves, enjoy!
