Energy and protein bars are both hot items that you can now find readily available in supplement stores, gas stations, and grocery stores. When you need a pick-me-up, these energy bars can fit the bill.

If you choose correctly, that is.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the best and worst energy and protein bars currently on the market.

Best Bar Options

Quest Protein Bar

One of the top bar options that seems to be on everyone’s list is the Quest protein bar. These bars are primarily protein and healthy fat content, coming in very low on the carb count. So while they may not provide you with a steady stream of energy if you are about to engage in intense activity, they will give you lasting energy to simply get through your day. You won’t have to worry about a nasty blood glucose crash with this one.

KIND Energy Bars

Another excellent option for a great energy bar that’ll keep your energy levels up through the day is the KIND energy bar. This energy bar isn’t a stand-out bar for protein content, but it does contain whole grains, dried fruits, and healthy fats from nuts and seeds. With all natural ingredients, it’s one that you can feel good about putting into your body.

Oatmega

Oatmega bars are not as readily available as the other bars listed above and you may have to purchase them online (available from Givebar.com), but they are worth the effort. These bars are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, a nutrient most of us aren’t getting enough of in our diet plan. In addition to this, they’re made from grass fed whey protein powder, so you are getting an excellent source of protein into your diet as well.

Worst Bar Options

EAS Myoplex Lite

Don’t let the ‘lite’ in this bar fool you. Make no mistake, these bars are not going to provide hardly any health benefits. With 15 grams of sugar per serving and most of that sugar coming from harmful ingredients like corn syrup, rice flour, sugar, and palm kernel oil, this is one bar to avoid.

PowerBar

Another not so hot option to fuel your body with is the classic PowerBar. Many of you may have eaten one of these before, but take note, they are filled with artificial flavors, preservatives, and ingredients. Not to mention, they contain far too much sugar to be considered healthy. While they may taste good, they are doing your body no benefit.

Nature Valley Sweet And Salty Peanut Bar

Finally, the last bar you’ll want to avoid is the Nature Valley, Sweet and Salty Peanut bar. This bar tastes good – we’ll give it that, but it’s loaded with sugar and sodium – two things you can do without. Plus, it hardly provides any energy-sustaining protein, so that’s yet another downfall this bar brings to the picture.

So be sure that you carefully consider your bar options if you hope to maximize your health and fitness level and do your nutrition good. There are good choices out there, you just have to find them.

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