I am a gym fanatic, but after starting Keto, more often than not, I found that it was too difficult to have a post workout snack after the gym. Most post-workout protein bars are too high in carb to eat whilst on a Keto diet.
You can imagine, then, I was excited to see low carb/keto protein bars to start showing up on the market. It took me a while to find some that tasted good and gave me the juice I needed to get the job done, but I did eventually.
To save you that time, I’ve put together this review of the five best low carb Keto protein bars.
Epic Venison All-Natural Meat Bar
This protein bar is made from free-range deer and grass-fed venison.
It is an excellent source of vitamin B12, Omega 3, and other antioxidants that are vital to the body. The product is gluten-free and contains no added sugars. If you are looking for a protein bar that gives you an energy boost, you might want to shop around for these.
Pros
- Essential nutrients –These protein bars are packed with essential nutrients and vitamins. Munching on one of these is a sure way of boosting your omega 3 levels as well as vitamin B12. Additionally, you will be ingesting helpful antioxidants as well.
- Gluten-free –If you are looking for a gluten-free product, this protein bar is the one for you. It is healthy, gluten-free, and contains no added sugars.
- Energy boost –The ingredients used in this protein bar are selected superficially to provide a carb-free energy boost. You’ll get a powerup without the crash afterward.
- Appetite control –If you are looking to cut down on your calorie intake, this protein bar is a great way to control your appetite between meals. They are really filling!
Cons
- Rough texture –If you are one that loves protein bars with a smooth texture, this might not work well for you as it has a very rough texture.
Bulletproof Collagen Protein Bars
These protein bars are an excellent fit for anyone looking for body fuel throughout the day who want to take in a little extra collagen in the process. While there’s no research to support such a belief, many Keto dieters adamantly believe that collagen can help loose skin after weight loss tighten. Whether that’s true remains to be seen, but it is an excellent source of carb-free energy.
Pros
- Variety of flavors– The most significant advantage with this protein bar is that you have three flavors to choose from, according to your preference. The flavors are vanilla shortbread, lemon cookie, and mint chocolate chip. All these taste great and will leave you feeling delightful.
- Contains Octane oil– Octane oil is a healthy source of high-quality fats that the body can process more quickly than many other forms of fat. This aspect makes it a terrific source of fast energy.
- High-protein content –This protein bar contains up to 13g of protein. High-protein content is beneficial in the development of muscles and also in recovery after a vigorous workout.
- Meal replacements –These protein bars can either be taken between meals or used wholly as meal replacements for a healthier lifestyle and focused energy.
Cons
- Easily crumbled– These protein bars do not hold up well. They crumble easily and may be unsuitable for eating on the go as they can be quite messy.
Onnit Protein Bars
Onnit is a well-known brand in the Keto industry, and their protein bars do their stellar reputation justice. They have high-protein content and low-sugar content, and they are a perfect fit for munching on at any time of the day. They are also a good option if you are looking to recover from muscle fatigue as a result of an extensive workout.
Pros
- Curb blood sugar swings –Onnit protein bars are an excellent option for anyone looking to have more control over their blood sugar content. This applies not only to Keto diet folks, but also those with glucose intolerance or diabetes.
- Can be eaten any time –The high-protein and low-sugar content of the protein bars make them an excellent fit for any time of the day. Morning, evening, before or after workouts—whenever you need a pick-me-up.
- High protein –At 16g per 2.1-ounce bar, this product has one of the highest protein concentrations on the market. This makes it an excellent fit for muscle building and muscle fatigue recovery after working out.
Cons
- Hard to find –Unlike many main-stream brands, Onnit is a little harder to track down. You won’t find them in local department stores, for example.
No Cow Protein Bars
As the name suggests, this is a vegan-based protein bar that has no dairy products included in its manufacture. Additionally, the firm ensures that it uses non-GMO ingredients. All the proteins and antioxidants packed in this protein bar are plant-based and offer high levels of energy. There are multiple flavors to choose from, or you can also select a blended flavor product.
Pros
- High protein– For a plant-based protein bar, the 20g protein content in these protein bars is higher than you can find in most animal-based protein bars. This feature makes for an excellent source of protein, should you be looking to build up your muscles or recover from vigorous workouts.
- Non-GMO ingredients– No Cow Protein Bars are made from naturally grown plants, and no GMO products are used in the manufacture of the bars.
- Multiple flavors and great taste– These protein bars have great taste, and in addition to that, there are numerous flavors that you can choose from depending on your preference.
- Beneficial antioxidants –The protein bars pack beneficial antioxidants that help your bodyguard against elements that attack it.
Cons
- Sweetened –Although made purely from healthy ingredients, I find these protein bars to be a little high on the carb side if not being used as a meal replacement.
Orgain Organic Protein Bar
The Orgain protein bar is made from pure non-GMO products. Additionally, no soy or gluten products are included in the recipe, and as the name suggests, it’s also a certified organic product. They come in five flavor options all with less than 5g of carbs.
Pros
- Non-GMO– These protein bars are made natural ingredients, ensuring that they are healthy and GMO-free.
- Gluten-free –If you are careful to keep track of your gluten intake, this is the protein bar that might be the best fit for you. It is gluten-free and does not contain any soy in the manufacturing process.
- Low calorie– Compared to other protein bars on the market, this particular protein bar contains significantly fewer calories. While low-fat is generally not recommended on Keto, you will get more protein without a lot of calorie intake.
- Good taste and texture– You will enjoy the taste of this protein bar as well as the soft texture. The texture is very pleasant.
Cons
- Sugary –I find these protein bars to be a little bit too sweet for my liking. They rely on artificial sweeteners, and I just can’t seem to get used to that taste.
- Lower protein content–The protein content of 10g is slightly less than what most top protein bars contain. This low figure makes this protein bar less preferable if you are looking for a snack to munch on for muscle building.
Keto Protein Bar Buying Guide
Now that you have a glimpse into the wonderful world that is Keto protein bars, let’s take a look at some of the things you need to consider when shopping as well as answer a few questions you may have.
Why Should You Eat Protein Bars?
This is a strange question that a lot of people ask themselves, especially when it is their first time eating or coming into contact with protein bars. Although there are many reasons as to why people eat protein bars, the following three reasons categorize most of the reasons.
Energy boost
Energy is one of the primary reasons why someone would want to eat protein bars. They usually contain high levels of protein. These high levels help to give you an energy boost that will serve you throughout the day.
Additionally, protein bars come in very handy when we are trying to recover from muscle fatigue after a rigorous workout regime. You will feel yourself recover the energy that you had lost while working out. Additionally, your muscles will feel less tired.
Muscle Gain
This reason is most suited to people who are going to the gym regularly. Protein is a vital ingredient in the body’s building of muscle. Protein bars contain high levels of a protein, which the body then converts to amino acids that are essential in muscle building. For people who are working out to gain muscle mass, it is recommended that you eat a protein bar with high-fat content after each work out session. Ample protein intake will enable you to gain muscle much faster.
Meal Replacement
With more and more people becoming aware of their health, there has been a surge in the number of people looking to lose weight. One of the most critical aspects of a weight loss endeavor is switching to healthier food and also reducing the amount of food eaten. Protein bars do a fantastic job of helping curb appetite for this purpose.
They come in very handy in assisting the person in eating less. Thus, they increase their chances of losing weight. As a meal replacement, a protein bar works well to ensure the person feels energized. The protein bar is the perfect food to help you limit calories while also providing plenty of energy to help you make it through the day.
What to Look for in a Protein Bar
Protein bars offer a lot of benefits to the body. However, most people don’t know how to find the right protein bar or even what to look for. If you are in such a situation, the following tips will give you an idea of what you should look for each time you go to a store looking for protein bars.
Protein content
The protein content happens to be the most crucial thing that you should look out for in a protein bar. A good protein bar will contain protein levels of 10g or higher. Remember also, as much as higher protein content is desirable, it should be balanced when compared to the other ingredients for flavor reasons.
Fat content
Fat content is at best kept on the low side when it comes to normal protein bars. However, for people who engage in rigorous workouts or are on the keto diet, protein bars have higher fat content – the more the better in the case of people on a keto diet.
Total calories
Even in the Keto-specific market, many protein bars can contain up to 5 carbs per bar. If you’re following the 20g limit on Keto, that’s ¼ your allotment for the day. A low-calorie option is not going to make that usage worth it as, high protein or not, you’ll still need to eat enough calories to keep your metabolism going.
Overall ingredients
The use of GMO products in the manufacture of protein bars is not something that a lot of fitness experts recommend. If this matters to you, it’s essential to check if the protein bar contains any GMO ingredients.
Reputable sellers—No matter what bar you settle on, it’s vital to find a supplier with a good reputation. The popularity of Keto has led to a good number of less-than-upstanding companies looking to take advantage of well-meaning dieters. Make sure to do your research by reading in-depth reviews like this one.
When Should You Eat Protein Bars?
You may be thinking that a protein bar is a snack so you should be free to eat it anytime you want. That is partially true but not entirely. The following are some of the times of the day when it is most recommended to eat protein bars.
a) In the morning
If you take a protein bar in the morning in place of your regular breakfast, it can give you the healthy boost that you require to start your day well. This option also allows you to skip your breakfast but not entirely go without food. You will have something that still gives you the needed energy and nutrients to go through the day.
b) In between meals
When taken in between meals, protein bars are a useful way of re-energizing yourself, and they are also a healthy snack. Rather than fighting cravings for unhealthy snacks such as cookies and sweets, you can opt to eat a protein bar. Additionally, a protein bar will help you control your appetite. This is especially helpful if you are looking to lose weight.
c) Before and after workouts
Protein bars can be a genius way of boosting your energy levels before a workout. They can help you last longer in the gym. After workouts, protein bars can be taken to help you recover much faster and then go about other activities.
When considering protein bars before workouts, make sure that the fat content of the protein bar is low. After the workout, however, you can consume high-fat content in protein bars without fear that it will hamper any of the efforts you are making to lose weight.
Types of Protein Bars
By far, there are two main types of protein bars.
1. Animal-based protein bars
The ingredients of animal-based protein bars are derived primarily from animal sources such as dairy. This does not necessarily mean they will have higher protein content, but that most non-vegans prefer them taste-wise.
2. Plant-based protein bars
The protein content in these bars is primarily sourced from plants. These protein bars are best suited to vegans. Surprisingly, in most instances, such types of protein bars will have more protein content. Being plant-based, though, they also have a unique taste you may not be accustom to—or like.
Final Thoughts
Protein bars are a great way of giving your body an energy boost, especially when looking forward to engaging in rigorous activity. They vary in their protein content, but all of them will give you the get-up-and-go needed to tackle whatever workout you plan. They will also help you to build up your muscles and curb your appetite. Thus, they are great for losing weight.
If I had to choose just one bar to recommend you try first, it would be the Onnit Protein Bars. I love these protein bars because of the essential nutrients and vitamins they pack. These are animal-sourced bars with ample protein content. This is useful in helping you in your muscle-building endeavors.
The only real downside is that you’ll always have to order your bars online. They aren’t sold in any brick-and-mortar store that I know of. If you see them somewhere, please let me know. Even if you can’t find Onnit bars, though, any of the options I’ve reviewed above would make an excellent choice.