Protein bars are a staple addition to loads of people’s diets when they start taking their workouts seriously. They’re a quick, easy, and tasty way to make sure you’re getting the protein you need to get the most from your training sessions.
And believe it or not, they can still be a great thing to include in your diet if you’re trying to lose weight – even though the chocolatey flavours might make you think otherwise.
Keep reading to find out why protein is so important and which protein bars we think are the best to buy when your goal is to lose weight.
Why do you need protein in your diet?
Protein is one of the macronutrients that we need to stay fit and healthy. Our bodies use protein to build and repair tissue, which is why it’s so important to get enough of it when you’re working out and weight training. It also plays a key role in oxygenating our blood, digesting food, and regulating our hormones. And protein really comes into its own when it comes to losing weight.
Protein helps to build lean muscle, which burns more calories (even when you’re resting) than fat tissue. It also fills you up faster and keeps you feeling full for longer, so you can stay in a calorie deficit more easily.
Can protein bars help you lose weight?
As part of a balanced diet and workout plan, yes protein bars can help you lose weight. The key is to look for bars that are low in calories and sugar, but high in fibre and protein. These kinds of bars will help to fill you up, give you the protein you need to build muscle, and also satisfy a sweet tooth.
Why do protein bars contain different amounts of calories?
Not all protein bars are built the same. Some are designed for athletes who are looking to bulk up, so their calorie content will be higher. While others are developed to be healthier, lower calorie options.
You’ll also find when you start comparing protein bars that they really do vary in size, so one bar might have a lot more calories than another simply because there’s more of it.
Our top 5 protein bars for weight loss
We’ve searched through the different protein bars on the market to find the best ones to include in your diet when you’re looking to lose weight.
Top 5 Protein Bars That Are Good For Weightloss
1. My Protein Lean Protein bar
The Lean Protein bars from MyProtein are the lowest calorie bars on our list, with just 152 calories per 45g bar. They still pack an impressive protein punch though, with 17g per bar along with 5.8g of fibre to help you feel full. They come in a range of flavours including chocolate and cookie dough and white chocolate and raspberry.
Bar size: 45g
Calories: 152kcal
Protein: 17g
Fibre: 5.8g
Sugar: 1.5g
2. Misfits Protein Bar
The Misfits bars have 30 more calories per bar than the My Protein bars, but they also boast more fibre and less sugar making them another great choice if you’re looking to lose weight. These bars feel like a real treat too, with a soft base, gooey caramel centre and creamy vegan chocolate coating. You can get them in flavours including chocolate speculoos and chocolate banoffee.
Bar size: 45g
Calories: 183g
Protein: 16g
Fibre: 9.3g
Sugar: 0.8g
3. Maximuscle protein bars
The smaller size of these Maximuscle protein bars means they come in at just 174 calories, while still packing an impressive 15g of protein. So they’re perfect for a sweet treat while losing weight. They come in a range of 7 flavours including cinnamon swirl and New York cheesecake.
Bar size: 45g
Calories: 174kcal
Protein: 15g
Fibre: 4.9g
Sugar: 2g
4. Quest protein bar
Quest protein bars come in a range of delicious flavours including chocolate chip cookie dough, chocolate peanut butter, and white chocolate raspberry. Maximuscle protein bars were developed to be as delicious as a chocolate bar while being packed with enough protein and fibre to keep you feeling full and help with digestion and weight loss. The bigger bar size means these have a higher calorie content than the 45g bars, but they’re also packed with 14g of fibre and 21g of protein.
Bar size: 60g
Calories: 200kcal
Protein: 21g
Fibre: 14g
Sugar: 1g
5. Grenade carb killa
The Grenade Carb Killa bars aren’t as high in fibre as the Quest bars but they’re a great choice to replace your normal chocolate bar if you’re trying to lose weight. Grenade protein bars taste amazingly indulgent and come in flavours like caramel chaos and dark chocolate mint.
Bar size: 60g
Calories: 221
Protein: 20g
Fibre: 3.5g
Sugar: 1.6g
When you’re trying to choose which protein bar to go for there are a few things to keep in mind. The biggest factor, if we’re honest, is how good the bar tastes. So give a few different brands and flavours a try to find one that you really enjoy. The other main thing to consider is the macronutrients (carbs, proteins, and fats) that are in the bar.
If you’re trying to lose weight then you’ll want to look out for a bar with lower calories, like the My Protein Lean Protein bar, and high amounts of protein and fibre.
You also want to make sure that what you’re buying is a protein bar and not an energy bar. The main difference is that energy bars tend to be quite high in carbohydrates, which is perfect when you’re looking for a boost to your endurance levels but not so great when you’re trying to lose weight.
