5 Best Vegan Protein Bars to Eat 2023 – According to Nutritionists
Updated on
- Written by Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, MS, RDN, LD
Medically reviewed by
Kathy Shattler, MS, RDN
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Orgain Organic Plant Based Protein Bar
- 10 grams of protein per bar
- Six delicious flavors to choose from
- Subscribe and save option
ALOHA Plant Based Protein Bars
- 14 grams of protein per bar
- 10 delicious flavors
- Subscribe and save option
- Smaller portion bars available for some flavors
Sunwarrior Sol Good Vegan Protein Bars
- 17 to 19 grams of protein per bar
- Four delicious flavors
- 12 to 18 grams of fiber per bar
Adding a protein bar to your routine is an excellent way to boost your nutritional intake efficiently. These easy, on-the-go snacks can provide a balance of carbohydrates, healthy fats, and quality protein in a pinch.
If you follow a vegan diet for health purposes or you simply want to reduce your environmental footprint, a plant-based protein bar is an excellent way to help meet your nutritional needs. This article will look at five of the best vegan protein bars on the market and their purported health benefits.
Best Vegan Protein Bars to Eat in (September. 2023)
- Orgain Organic Plant Based Protein Bar– Editor’s Choice
- ALOHA Plant Based Protein Bars – Biggest variety of flavors
- Sunwarrior Sol Good Vegan Protein Bars– Most fiber provided
- CLIF Builders Protein Bar – Most protein provided
- IQBAR Keto Protein Bars – Least amount of added sugars
Who Should Use a Protein Supplement?
Protein supplements have become a staple in many balanced diets, and for a good reason. The added convenience they offer can help busy adults meet their nutritional needs. In addition, they are beneficial for those trying to build muscle mass, maintain healthy body weight, and recover after intense exercise. Medically speaking, protein supplements may also be very helpful in wound healing.
As busy as the world is today, having the option to grab a protein supplement when you’re short on time can help you meet your nutrition needs without having to resort to less nutritious options. Many people even keep protein snack bars in their cars, offices, and purses just in case they need something to hold them over until their next meal.
If you have concerns about adding a protein supplement to your diet, your doctor or registered dietitian can help you navigate your individual needs.
5 Best Tasting Plant-Based Protein Bars in 2023
Orgain Organic Plant-Based Protein Bar
Orgain’s plant-based protein bars are a nutrient-dense snack option with 10 grams of vegan protein per bar. They can be ideal for a mid-morning snack, pre-workout boost, or even part of nutritious lunch.
- 10 grams of protein per bar
- Six delicious flavors to choose from
- Subscribe-and-save option
- Certified organic
- Not safe for consumers with a nut allergy
- Contains artificial sweetener, erythritol
- Contains 6 grams of added sugars
With 10 grams of vegan protein, 19 grams of carbohydrate, and 150 calories or less per bar, Orgain’s organic plant-based protein bar is an excellent choice for a nutritious snack on the go. Their high-quality nutrition is sourced from organic brown rice protein, organic pea protein, and organic chia seeds, among other ingredients.
The ingredients include erythritol, a sugar-alcohol-based artificial sweetener that may cause digestive upset[1] in sensitive individuals. Nausea and headaches may also occur. Six grams of added sugars are also present.
Six delicious flavors are available, each packed with nutrition and ready to satisfy that sweet tooth. Flavor options include chocolate coconut, chocolate brownie, chocolate chip cookie dough, peanut butter, peanut butter chocolate chunk, and s’mores.
Orgain’s organic plant-based protein bars are certified plant-based, but they contain almonds or peanuts, which are not safe for consumers with a tree nut or peanut allergy. They are soy- and gluten-free as well as dairy- and lactose-free. If these vegan protein bars are a nutritious addition to your routine, Orgain offers a subscribe and save option to keep your pantry and wallet stocked.
ALOHA Plant-Based Protein Bars
The organic and vegan-friendly ALOHA bars come in 10 delicious flavors. Each bar delivers 14 grams of protein and five grams of sugar or less.
- 14 grams of protein per bar
- 10 delicious flavors
- Subscribe and save purchasing option available
- Smaller portion bars available for some flavors
- Not safe for consumers with a nut allergy
ALOHA Plant-Based Protein Bars come in a variety of flavors and are made from organic, vegan ingredients. Each of their delicious bars provides you with 14 grams of plant-based protein, mainly from a nutritious blend of brown rice protein and pumpkin seed protein.
ALOHA protein bars are certified vegan and contain USDA organic ingredients. With five grams of added sugar or less, these organic protein bars can satisfy your sweet tooth without making your dentist cringe.
ALOHA also offers a few protein bar flavors in smaller serving sizes called minibars. These smaller portions contain six grams of protein per bar and approximately half the calories provided in the standard-size bars.
Customer reviews indicate strong satisfaction across the board. The peanut butter flavor seems to be the most popular as their peanut butter cup and peanut butter chocolate chip flavors have the most reviews on their website. Other flavor options include coconut chocolate almond, lemon cashew, chocolate chip cookie dough, and chocolate fudge brownie.
Sunwarrior Sol Good Vegan Protein Bars
Sunwarrior’s Sol Good Vegan Protein Bars are packed with nutrition, providing 17 to 19 grams of plant protein per serving. They also provide great fiber, with anywhere from 12 to 18 grams per bar, depending on the flavor.
- 17 to 19 grams of protein per bar
- Four delicious flavors
- 12 to 18 grams of fiber per bar
- Certified organic
- High-cost per bar
- Contains coconut, a potential allergen
Each Sunwarrior Sol Good Vegan Protein Bar contains 17 to 19 grams of plant-based protein sourced from organic brown rice protein, organic pea protein, and organic quinoa protein. You’re bound to find a flavor you like with four delicious flavors to choose from. Options include cinnamon roll, coconut cashew, blueberry blast, and salted caramel.
While they are delicious, their natural flavors aren’t limited to taste. They also provide impressive nutritional content. For example, the organic sunflower seed butter in Sunwarrior’s Sol Good bars provides vitamin E and helps keep the bars moist and chewy.
Their fiber content is perhaps equally as impressive as their protein content. Each bar contains 12 to 18 grams of fiber, depending on the flavor. They can be an excellent snack between meals with anywhere from 26 to 30 grams of carbohydrates and almost 20 grams of protein per bar. Their high amount of fiber necessitates care when adding them to your diet as implementing a high fiber diet too quickly can lead to gastric distress.
As a company, Sunwarrior aims to support your mind, your body, and the planet with its products. Their supplements are made without artificial sweeteners, added sugar, or artificial preservatives. They are also dairy, soy, and gluten-free. Individuals with a coconut allergy should choose another bar.
CLIF Builders Protein Bar
While CLIF Bar and Company do not necessarily label their Builders Protein Bars as vegan bars, they are made with plant-based ingredients. They provide 20 grams of protein and approximately 30 grams of carbohydrate per bar, making them an excellent choice for a post-workout snack.
- 20 grams of protein in each bar
- Subscribe and save purchasing option available
- Seven flavors available
- Smaller portion bars available for some flavors
- Not actually labeled vegan
- 16 to 17 grams of added sugar, depending on the flavor
The CLIF Builders Protein Bar provides 20 grams of protein and 29 to 31 grams of carbohydrate (depending on the flavor) per bar, which makes it an excellent choice for a post-workout recovery snack. Of note, they do have 16 to 17 grams of added sugar.
However, according to the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA)[2], the Daily Value for added sugars is 50 grams daily, meaning this one protein bar constitutes over 30% of the recommended daily limit.
Furthermore, their sodium content per serving cannot be considered low as it is above 140 mg/serving, the cut-off for a low-sodium product. Most flavors contain sea salt and have at least 200 milligrams of sodium or more per serving.
While CLIF Bar products do not intentionally contain animal-based products, they may be made in a bakery that uses dairy-based ingredients. Due to potential traces of dairy, CLIF does not label its products as vegan. However, their website notes that vegans and vegetarians often rely on CLIF bars for nutritious snacks.
Soy protein isolate is the first ingredient listed, meaning it holds the most weight in the product. You will also find brown rice syrup, palm kernel oil, and cane sugar listed in the first few ingredients. Flavors include chocolate peanut butter, vanilla almond, chocolate mint, and cookies and cream, among others.
IQBAR Keto Protein Bars
Packed with 12 grams of protein and 7-10 grams of fiber per bar (depending on the flavor), the IQBAR Keto Protein Bars provide a boost of nutrition in a delicious, easy-to-grab on-the-go snack. They also contain six key brain nutrients that help support cognitive function.
- 12 grams of protein in each bar
- Seven delicious flavors
- Zero grams of added sugar
- 7-10 grams of fiber per bar, depending on flavor
- 12-15 grams of fat per bar, depending on flavor
IQBAR Keto Protein Bars may have fewer grams of protein than the other bars on this list, but what they lack in protein content, they make up for in other nutrients. Along with quality plant-based protein, the IQBAR Keto Protein Bars provide 7 to 10 grams of fiber and six key brain nutrients in every bar. Still, plant protein accounts for approximately 25% of each bar’s total nutrition.
IQBARs are formulated with healthy fats and other nutrients, such as omega-3 fatty acids, lion’s mane mushroom, medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), choline, flavonoids, and vitamin E. There are seven different flavor options to choose from, including chocolate sea salt, almond butter chip, and matcha chai, to name a few.
You can buy select bundles at a discount or buy in bulk at an even lower cost. Not sure which flavor you’d prefer? IQBARs offers a sampler pack with all seven flavors included.
How to Choose a Vegan Protein Bar?
Nutrition needs are individualized based on activity level, medical demands, cultural influences, and taste preferences, so no two people’s decision-making will look the same when picking a protein bar. However, a few factors might influence your choices.
Check the Protein Content
Finding a bar with adequate protein is vital. Look for a protein bar with at least 8 to 10 grams per serving. Common protein sources for vegan bars include
- Brown rice protein.
- Pea protein isolate.
- Regular or organic pumpkin seed protein.
- Regular or organic chia protein.
Check the Sugar Content
Some protein snack bars can be loaded with sugar. Some might even contain more grams of sugar than a glazed donut or a can of soda. Consuming too much sugar in one sitting may adversely affect your blood sugar levels or cause unintentional weight gain over time. However, many bars’ ingredients provide natural flavor without added sugars.
Snack bars may be sweetened with:
- regular or organic cane sugar
- regular or organic honey
- regular or organic brown rice syrup
- chicory root fiber syrup
- regular or organic tapioca syrup
Understand Its Ingredients
Like anything you eat, it’s important to read and understand the ingredients. Ingredients are listed by weight in descending order, so the first ingredient listed has the most weight in the product. Ideally, you want your protein bar’s first ingredient to come from a quality protein source.
Other ingredients to consider include sweeteners and fats. Healthy fats can come from many different sources, including many nuts. You may find that your protein bar includes peanut butter, almond butter, cashew butter, or maybe even whole nuts.
Other fat sources include sunflower seeds and regular or organic pumpkin seeds. If you need to limit your saturated fat intake, you will want to avoid bars with palm oil or organic coconut oil in the ingredients. Many protein bars are a significant source of saturated fats.
Once you find options containing the nutrition you need, it’s all trial and error to find one that fits your taste preferences. You might even decide to keep a few different vegan bars in your pantry to give yourself some variety and avoid burnout.
How to Eat Plant-Based Protein Bars Safely?
Including plant-based protein supplements is an excellent way to ensure you’re meeting your nutrition needs.
If you are crunched for time and limited on options, your protein bar might be the best option to replace your meal. However, your protein bar, plant-based or not, should not consistently replace your meals. Even with the best ingredients and most-balanced nutrition, they cannot provide the same health benefits of a well-balanced breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
If your goal is weight loss, vegan bars are an excellent source of protein to help you meet your needs. In fact, including quality nutrition sources, such as vegan protein bars, is a more sustainable and safe weight maintenance method than weight loss pills.
Final Thought
Whether you follow a vegan diet for health reasons or simply want to reduce your intake of animal products, vegan protein bars can be an excellent addition to your well-balanced diet. While plant-based protein powder is available, many people rely on vegan-friendly protein bars for their added ease and convenience.
Plus, if your sweet tooth craves a chocolate bar, some of the best-tasting vegan protein bars might even compare to your favorite candy bar.
Many of the available options in today’s market are gluten-free protein bars. Most are also dairy and soy-free. Be sure to read the listed ingredients to monitor for any potential allergens, as many vegan snack bars contain tree nuts, peanuts, and coconut.
Consider talking with your doctor or registered dietitian about the best vegan protein bar for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely, vegan protein bars can be a nutritious part of a healthy, well-balanced diet. Of course, it is important to do your research and understand the nutrition facts before adding them to your routine.
There is room for all protein sources in a well-balanced diet. If you follow a vegan diet, it is crucial to be deliberate with your food choices to meet your protein needs. Whether you incorporate vegan foods into your diet to reduce your environmental footprint or for health reasons, vegan protein bars can be a staple source of nutrition. Combining protein sources to get all nine essential amino acids is something to consider in a vegan bar.
No, studies have shown[3] that soy protein does not affect male hormones.
Meeting your protein needs is essential for maintaining a healthy weight. So, vegan protein bars can be instrumental for weight loss if that is your goal. However, they should not be used as meal replacements to cut calories.
Yes, it is generally considered safe for the average adult to eat protein bars daily. However, they should not act as meal replacements. If you have concerns about adding a protein bar to your diet, speak with your doctor or registered dietitian.
+ 3 sources
Health Canal avoids using tertiary references. We have strict sourcing guidelines and rely on peer-reviewed studies, academic researches from medical associations and institutions. To ensure the accuracy of articles in Health Canal, you can read more about the editorial process here
- Meritagemed.com. (2018). Meritage Medical Network. [online] Available at: https://meritagemed.com/erythritol/#:~:text=Erythritol%20side%20effects%20typically%20include,headaches%20may%20occur%20as%20well.
- Center (2022). Added Sugars on the New Nutrition Facts Label. [online] U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Available at: https://www.fda.gov/food/new-nutrition-facts-label/added-sugars-new-nutrition-facts-label#:~:text=Added%20sugars%20include%20sugars%20that,concentrated%20fruit%20or%20vegetable%20juices.
- Reed, K.E., Camargo, J., Hamilton-Reeves, J., Kurzer, M. and Messina, M. (2021). Neither soy nor isoflavone intake affects male reproductive hormones: An expanded and updated meta-analysis of clinical studies. Reproductive Toxicology, [online] 100, pp.60–67. doi:10.1016/j.reprotox.2020.12.019.
Written by:
Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, MS, RDN, LD
Medically reviewed by:
Medically reviewed by:
