What is the Best Plant-Based Protein Bars? Top Organic Vegan Protein Bar for 2020
It’s difficult for anyone to find snacks that satisfy their nutrient requirements and adhere to their diet, but this is especially true for vegans. Vegans have to take special care that their snacks don’t contain any animal products, but also help them feel full and give them the nutrients that need to power through the day without becoming hungry or unhealthy.
While there are many vegan snacks out there, another thing to watch out for are high amounts of saturated fats, sodium, and sugar. So, how do vegans find a snack that gives them what they need, is vegan friendly, yet is also healthy? High quality vegan protein bars are often the answer to this question. Protein bars are affordable, nutritious, and convenient, and it isn’t difficult to find ones that offer fifteen or even twenty grams of protein per bar, which means you’re fueled for your active lifestyle with clean ingredients that won’t mess up your diet.
Many vegans turn to protein bars so they can get the protein and energy they need to replenish and repair muscle tissues. Some bars also offer fiber, which keeps you satiated, and essential nutrients such as vitamins and minerals. Choosing the best vegan protein bar can be challenging, but the top eight currently on the market are listed below to give you a great head start.
Top 5 Vegan Protein Bars
① Probar Mint Chocolate Protein Bar **TOP PICK** | |
② GoMacro MacroBar Organic Vegan Protein Bars | |
③ Truwomen Plant Fueled Protein Bars | |
④ Vega Protein Plus Snack Bar | |
⑤ No Cow Vegan Protein Bar |
Features to Look For in Vegan Protein Bars
As you shop around for vegan protein bars, keep an eye out for these following features:
- Amount of protein. It’s essential for vegans to keep track and make sure they’re consuming adequate amounts of protein daily. Ideally, you want a bar that has at least ten grams of protein, and the best ones have twice that.
- Calories. It’s easy to think of protein bars as a throwaway snack, but you should keep track of how many you’re eating and how many calories you’re getting so you don’t throw off your diet. Ideally, your protein bar shouldn’t be more than 200 calories, and one bar should be enough.
- Fiber. Surprisingly, fiber goes hand in hand with protein and is essential for being healthy, as it supports your digestive system. A good amount of fiber will also keep you feeling full, which is the purpose of a snack. Look for bars that have at least five grams of fiber.
- Sugar. A good thing to watch out for is high sugar amounts. Many protein bars tend to be loaded with sugar to mask the taste. Luckily, vegan bars swap out the sugar for more natural ingredients and sweeteners such as fruit and dates.
In general, vegan protein bars can help you lose weight, as long as they feature healthy and clean superfood ingredients like chia seeds and coconut. Ideally, your best bar has a high amount of protein, adequate amount of fiber, and low amount of both calories and sugar. This combination will be best for people trying to stay healthy. If you’re trying to decide between protein shakes and protein bars to support your diet, bars tend to be better if you are trying to increase your intake of carbs and fats. In this way, bars function as a balanced meal replacement and give your body the macronutrients it needs.
If you’re wondering when you should eat protein bars, it all depends on your fitness intentions. It’s best to eat protein bars before working out, if you’d like to get the most effects possible from the protein boost. A protein bar can also provide your body with the energy and fuel it needs for working out, and provides your muscles with what they need to repair afterward. However, you can eat protein bars after completing carb exercises to help your muscles grow, and you can eat bars for breakfast. Protein bars make excellent morning fuel when you’re on the go and looking for something nutrient dense, as long as you pair it with fresh fruit and other foods in order to get a well-rounded meal.
The Best Vegan Protein Bars List
① Probar Mint Chocolate Protein Bar
This protein bar is an especially popular one. Its deep chocolate taste and just-right hint of mint gives you a delicious way to support your active lifestyle and build lean muscle. Ingredients include flax seeds, chia, and pure plant protein, which all come together to keep you going so you reach all your fitness goals. Probar is a favorite brand among the fitness community, and it maintains a commitment to great taste, sustainability, and quality as it creates food products that not only are delicious but also good for you. Its bars are organic, plant-based, healthy, convenient, and free from GMOs, gluten, dairy, animal products, or artificial ingredients.
Each bar offers 20 grams of plant protein, as well as four grams of fiber, which together power your muscles and keep you feeling full for a longer period of time. The flax seeds and chia seeds are a great source of natural fiber and omega-3 fatty acids, which provide antioxidants and support a healthy heart. Overall, it’s tough to go wrong with this bar’s ingredients, which are sustainably sourced and safe. Ingredients include organic cocoa powder, which provides flavonoids and antioxidants, and essential vitamins and minerals such as potassium, calcium, iron, Vitamin A, and Vitamin C.
Pros
- Delicious chocolate taste that provides 20 grams of plant protein
- Non-GMO project certified
- Includes vitamins and minerals, omega-3s, and antioxidants
Cons
- Is not soy free
- Produced on equipment that also processes sesame, wheat, eggs, milk, tree nuts, and peanuts; unsafe for people who have allergies or sensitivities to these
② GoMacro MacroBar Organic Vegan Protein Bars
GoMacro’s vegan protein bars provide you with all the protein you need in pleasurable, delicious flavors. Its original MacroBar is Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip and features peanuts that are roasted and chopped, chocolate chips that are organic and fair trade, and organic, creamy peanut butter. The bars are healthy and satisfying and give you a clean energy boost that also helps keep you feeling full. Perfect for anyone who would like a vegan protein bar, these are organic and guilt free, and it’s easy to take them anywhere. Each bar features a blend of organic brown rice protein and organic pea protein for plant-based fuel.
GoMacro’s bars come in nine different flavors to choose from, and the family-owned company is very environmentally conscious. It aims to bring positive change one bar at a time with organic, healthy ingredients that come with a wide range of certifications; the bars are certified soy free, R.A.W., C.L.E.A.N., non-GMO, kosher, gluten free, vegan, and organic. The company also believes in giving back, and some of its MacroBars are Give Back Bars, which means that a portion of your investment goes to community organizations, so you can make a difference when you invest in a tasty, plant-based protein snack for yourself. Its clean and simple ingredient list includes organic brown rice syrup, peanut butter, a protein blend, puffed brown rice, chocolate chips, and peanuts.
Pros
- Certified to be vegan, kosher, gluten and soy free, and organic
- Opportunity to give back to the community with your purchase
- Clean, simple, and organic ingredient list
Cons
- Bars sometimes have hard pieces of nut shells in them that can hurt or chip teeth
- Very high in carbs and not as much protein as many other bars
③ Truwomen Plant Fueled Protein Bars
These protein bars by Truwomen are plant fueled and come in great, tasty flavors, such as Oh Oh Cookie Dough. They function as a healthy snack bar that’s full of natural and clean ingredients, as it’s vegan, kosher, and free of GMOs, gluten, soy, or dairy. At 200 calories or less, the bars (which come in six different flavors) are certified and don’t contain any sugar alcohols, so you can feel good about what you’re putting in your body. The flavors also attempt to help you avoid temptations for unhealthy foods such as cookie dough, doughnuts, or lemon cake by offering a healthy alternative that tastes great without a need for compromising on your diet. After working out, in between meals, or while you’re on the go, these bars are a healthy indulgence.
Each bar offers 12 grams of plant fueled protein and features simple ingredients, such as unsweetened chocolate, cocoa butter, roasted cashews, brown rice protein, sunflower oil, sea salt, sunflower lecithin, natural flavors, and cassava flour. Organic cane sugar is used as a natural, light sweetener. Truwomen believes that plant fueled foods can be just as delicious and indulgent. With real and simple ingredients, their bars are a great way to fuel up for the day.
Pros
- Six flavors that aim to be a healthy alternative to sweets
- 200 calories or less and 12 grams of plant protein per bar
- Certified vegan
Cons
- Produced in a facility that also processes soybeans, wheat, tree nuts, eggs, and milk
- Many users were disappointed in the flavor, and actual product looks different than the picture advertised
④ Vega Protein Plus Snack Bar
With flavors like Chocolate Peanut Butter, Chocolate Almond, Blueberry Oat, and Chocolate Caramel, these snack bars from Vega offer a great vegan alternative as a tasty snack that’s easy to take on the go. Many users crave the taste alone, but these snack bars aim to be more than just a delicious snack; it fuels your active lifestyle and keeps you full of energy as you’re on the go. Vega’s products are all certified to be free of gluten and GMOs, as well as certified to be vegan. There is no added sugar whatsoever. Reach for this bar whenever you need a pick me up at the gym or at work.
On top of great texture and taste, a single bar provides four grams of fiber, which keeps you feeling full and helps your body absorb and digest the bar, and ten grams of protein that’s plant-based to fuel your workouts and your muscles. The protein blend features nuts, brown rice protein, and pea protein, and the fiber comes from ingredients such as nuts, rice starch, and inulin from chicory root.
Pros
- Come in a variety of great flavors
- No added sugars
- Offers four grams of fiber and ten grams of protein in each bar
Cons
- Have a high amount of carbs
- Tend to melt quickly, which caused problems for people who take these bars on the go
⑤ No Cow Protein Bar
These No Cow protein bars come in a great chunky peanut butter taste that’s low in sugar and high in fiber with an impressive 21 grams of plant based protein per serving. No Cow provides bars that have the nutrient profile you’re looking for and are also gluten free, dairy free, non-GMO, and vegan, all in a delicious snack. No sugar is added, and there’s only one gram of sugar total from monk fruit and stevia, making this the perfect bar for people who value their fitness and athletic abilities, or people who have sensitivities to gluten or dairy. Enjoy these in between meals, after you’re done working out, or as you’re on the go.
Fuel your activities with these low sugar, high protein snack bars. On top of Chunky Peanut Butter, you’ll find flavors like Raspberry Truffle, Mint Cacao Chip, Carrot Cake, Blueberry Cobbler, Lemon Meringue Pie, Chocolate Fudge Brownie, and Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip. On top of protein, you’ll also get the essential vitamins and minerals as well as antioxidants that your body needs, especially if you’re on the vegan diet. Support your best health and sustain energy levels with high quality ingredients such as brown rice protein, pea protein, peanut flour, cocoa butter, almonds, and natural flavors.
Pros
- Provides essential vitamins and minerals as well as antioxidants
- 21 grams of protein in each bar
- Just 1 gram of sugar
Cons
- Produced on equipment that also processes nuts, eggs, wheat, milk, and soy
- Many people had difficulty with the dry texture and had to drink a lot of water while eating the bars
⑥ Orgain Organic Plant Based Protein Bar
These protein bars from Orgain Organic are available in flavors such as Peanut Butter Chocolate Chunk, S’Mores, Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, and Peanut Butter. They’re vegan, non-GMO, and free from dairy, lactose, GMOs, soy, and gluten. Each bar offers ten grams of plant-based, clean, organic protein that’s derived from chia seeds, peas, and brown rice, as well as six grams of organic fiber, so your muscles are fueled and you stay feeling full for a long time. On top of this, each bar has only five grams of sugar and 150 calories, making them the perfect snack for anyone who has an active lifestyle and is looking for a healthy, clean snack to help them get through the day.
Orgain Organic is USDA certified organic, and its products are all completely free from any artificial preservatives, flavors, or colors. It’s easy to curb all your cravings and hunger pangs with clean nutrition that’s perfect for both men and women, as well as children. The company is all about clean nutrition and believes that it shouldn’t be a hassle to eat well. Each of its products were meant to support your life and help you fuel up in a nutritious and healthy way. These 100% plant based protein bars provide delicious nourishment and are perfect for on the go.
Pros
- Zero artificial preservatives, flavors, or colors
- 150 calories or less per bar, with ten grams of protein
- Certified USDA organic
Cons
- Bars come in a smaller size than other brands and users had to eat two or three
- Can cause extreme gas and upset stomachs
⑦ good! Snacks Vegan Cookie Dough Protein Bar
Good!’s vegan Cookie Dough protein bars have 15 grams of plant-based protein each, a low amount of sugar, and are free of GMOs, soy, and gluten. The company understands that a great source of protein that’s absolutely plant based yet delicious enough for you to enjoy seems too good to be true. That’s why it aimed to create a different kind of bar, one that’s a complete protein bar that’s vegan, healthy, and nutritious, but also soft and tasty–providing you with that candy taste that people often crave while they’re dieting. Good!’s protein bars are certified vegan and certified kosher, and they’re the perfect snack to bring with you as you’re on the go, sneak between meals, or really to have any time you’re craving that cookie dough taste. The company is a trusted sponsor of the Dr. Oz Show and is well known for its healthy snacks that also delight taste buds, so you can satisfy your sweet tooth without compromising your diet.
On top of 15 grams of protein, each bar has ten grams or less of sugar for the perfect balance of power and taste. It’s a trusted snack with a creamy, soft center that’s available in several different flavors, including lemon and peanut butter, so you can indulge without any guilt in a snack that keeps you going. Featuring a protein blend of brown rice protein and vava, ingredients include almond butter, cocoa nibs, tapioca syrup, cocoa powder, chocolate liquor, sunflower lecithin, sunflower oil, peanut butter, cocoa butter, and vanilla extract.
Pros
- 15 grams of protein in each bar
- Trusted sponsor of the Dr. Oz show
- Creamy, soft center and flavors that help you curb cravings
Cons
- Tend to have a chalky/powdery texture and negative aftertaste
- Higher in saturated fat and grams of sugar than many other bars
⑧ NuGo Slim Gluten Free Vegan Protein Bar
NuGo Slim’s protein bars are high in protein and low in sugar, as well as certified to be gluten free, non-GMO, and vegan. With absolutely no maltitol or artificial sweeteners, you’ll get an impressive 18 grams of protein in each bar. On top of that, there’s six grams of fiber to help you feel satiated between meals, and a low five grams of net carbs per bar. Its low amount of sugar comes from real, vegan chocolate; each bar is coated in real dark chocolate. For years, these bars have been a great choice for people who would like to maintain their weight, get plant-based protein, or need to avoid sugar.
NuGo Slim helps to keep you energized and satisfied throughout your entire day, no matter how active you are. Its four flavor options are all vegan friendly, and you don’t need to worry about added sugar alcohols. In fact, these bars have a very low Glycemic Index score (29 and below), and have the lowest tested score of any low-sugar protein bar. If you need something that’s high in protein yet low in sugar, NuGo Slim is for you. It’s sweetened with natural Chicory Root, which is a prebiotic fiber and has no effect on blood sugar levels as it keeps you feeling full so you reach all your fitness goals.
Pros
- Lowest GI score among protein bars
- Contains 18 grams of protein in each bar
- Sweetened with chicory root, a prebiotic fiber
Cons
- Does contain soy and is manufactured on equipment that processes products that have eggs, milk, and tree nuts
- Texture is hard and dry
Conclusion & What is the Best Vegan Protein Bar
Protein bars make excellent snacks for many people, but especially vegans. As long as you find a bar that has a high amount of plant based protein, low amount of carbs, and offers the nutrients you need as it’s free of gluten and dairy, you’ll be able to receive a powerful boost to your day. Protein bars can help you feel full and energized, and they provide a boost to your workouts so you have a more powerful performance and an easier time recovering and repairing muscles afterward. Luckily, many vegan protein bars today have excellent flavor profiles that taste like the desserts you love and can help satisfy any craving or sweet tooth you may have. Take a look at the top eight vegan protein bars above, and you’ll be well on your way to finding a snack that adheres well to your vegan lifestyle. Our personal favorite is the ProBar Protein Bars (CHECK BEST PRICE HERE).
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