Are Protein Bars Healthy? Everything You Need To Know

 

Reviewed by Jaimee Gooley, R.D.

Written by Hannah Marchese


Have you ever visited the protein bar aisle at the grocery store? It is packed with a mind-blowing variety of products. Even if you have the time to stand there and go through the nutrition labels one by one, it can be difficult to determine which one is best for your needs. 

Then add in the time you have to spend figuring out which flavors to try, and suddenly you’ve been standing in the protein bar aisle for 45 minutes.

Let’s be real; no one has time for that. 

Lucky for you, we have done a ton of research and have compiled this in-depth guide to help you pick the best protein for your needs. Today, we are going to give you the inside scoop on all things protein bars. 

We will answer all of your questions like: Are protein bars healthy? How do I fit protein bars into my diet? What are the benefits of eating a protein-rich snack? 

After reading this guide, you will never have to waste valuable time in the protein bar aisle again. You’ll know exactly what to look for in a protein bar and so much more. So, what are we waiting for? Let’s dig in. 

What Is Protein, And Why Does Our Body Need It?

Protein is a type of molecule that exists in the human body. It functions within your body in several different ways. It makes up your muscles, bones, hair, and nails. Plus, it gives your body’s tissues and organs shape and helps them to function. In other words, you need protein to survive and thrive as a human being. 

It is a common misunderstanding that protein is your body’s main source of energy. This is not the case. Your body uses carbohydrates and fats for energy first. It only uses protein for energy purposes when you go past the point of your body’s regular energy stores. However, protein is the key to maintaining and improving muscle gain. 

It is important that your diet has enough protein to support your muscles, maintain healthy bones, and support your immune system. Protein is an important part of any healthy diet

The Beauty Benefits Of A Protein-Rich Diet

There are also several beauty-related reasons to maintain a protein-rich diet. Foods that are high in protein also contain the amino acids that our bodies need to produce collagen. Collagen is instrumental to maintaining skin elasticity and plumpness. 

As we age, our bodies naturally produce less collagen making it critical that we maintain a protein-rich diet that encourages collagen-building from within. You will also find that some protein food products also contain collagen to help boost your skin’s youthful appearance. 

Ways To Incorporate More Protein Into Your Diet

Now that you know how critical protein is to maintaining a healthy diet and youthful appearance, it is time to figure out ways that you can boost your protein intake to help you reach your health goals. There are many natural food sources of protein such as meat, eggs, nuts, oats, cheese yogurt, broccoli, and quinoa—and that’s just to name a few; the list of natural sources of proteins goes on and on. 

You can also incorporate more protein into your diet with protein-packed snacks like protein bars. Protein bars can be a fantastic source of clean protein, all concentrated into one quick snack. If you are super busy, a protein bar can be a total lifesaver. 

What Is A Protein Bar?

It’s 2021, and you’ve likely heard of and tried at last one protein bar. But, just in case you are late to the party, here are the basics. Protein bars are a popular snack that varies in flavor and form across brands. They are typically pocket-sized and packed with protein and nutrients to help busy people get all of their daily proteins. 

However, not all bars have been created equal. In fact, it has become increasingly difficult to determine which protein bars are healthy and which are just desserts in disguise. 

Are Protein Bars Healthy?

Because the composition of protein bars varies from brand to brand, you cannot definitively say that all protein bars are either unhealthy or healthy. Think of it like a smoothie. 

If you have a smoothie made with frozen fruit and fresh juices, then you are probably drinking a healthy smoothie. However, if you get a smoothie at a fast-food chain, it will likely be filled with juice concentrates, ice cream, and a lot of sugar. 

Protein bars have become a similar health food. While some protein bars are filled with delicious and nutritious whole food ingredients, others are filled with processed sugars and artificial ingredients. You should avoid the sugar-filled protein bars and instead opt for a protein bar with wholesome nutritional value.

 

What To Look For In A Protein Bar

To determine whether or not a protein bar is healthy or not you should first look at its ingredient list. If it is loaded up with heavily processed ingredients that you can’t pronounce or an excess amount of sugar or high fructose corn syrup, then you should put it down and go for something cleaner. 

Look for real ingredients you recognize, sources of healthy fats, carbs, fiber, and low sugar content. If your protein bar has a little bit of sugar, that’s okay! Just make sure to avoid high fructose corn syrup and aim for lower sugar bars.


How To Fit Protein Bars Into Your Diet

If you are super busy and having difficulty fitting a meal in, protein bars can give you the nutrition you need to keep your body up and running. Don’t give in to the hangry monster; eat a protein bar to tide you over and give you a protein boost. 

Possible Benefits Of Protein Bars

The number one benefit of protein bars is convenience. They can supply you with the nutrition you need in a pinch. This makes them a great midday snack, pre or post-workout snack, or a meal replacement on a super busy day. So long as you choose a protein bar with wholesome ingredients, you should be able to easily fit them into your diet and use them to boost your overall protein intake. 

As previously mentioned, protein can help your body build and maintain muscle. Protein bars can also possibly help your skin preserve and repair its elasticity and contribute to stronger hair and nails. 

While there is still a good amount of research to be done to confirm the effectiveness of a high protein diet in preserving beauty and youthfulness, many people have found good results in adopting a higher protein diet. 

Our Protein Bars

Here at Kalumi BEAUTYfood, we create delicious and nutritious snack bars that are specially formulated to help your body look and feel its best from the inside out. Our bars contain 3 grams of added sugar and 11 to 13 grams of protein, depending on your choice of flavor. Plus, our bars contain marine collagen, a powerful and clean form of collagen that will work to improve your skin, hair, and nails with each tasty snack bar. 

Our nutrient-dense BEAUTYfood bars come in four delicious flavors. Each flavor is certified gluten-free, non-GMO, soy-free, egg-free, and dairy-free. Plus, all of our bars are formulated with whole natural ingredients, marine collagen (the cleanest type), vitamin A, and cocoa butter to give your body the fuel it needs to preserve your natural beauty. 

Cocoa Crunch

If you are obsessed with all things chocolate, then you will love our tasty Cocoa Crunch bars. Our Cocoa Crunch bar tastes like a decadent brownie with crunchy cacao nibs and 12 grams of protein. This bar is a nutrient-dense snack that’s packed with marine collagen, almond butter, sweet potato, and other superfoods to help your body function its best. It is naturally sweetened with organic agave nectar to give you your sweet fix the natural way. 

Lemon Love

If you prefer a punch of citrus, then try our fabulous Lemon Love bars. These delicious power-packed bars taste like a light and delicious lemon cookie treat with a tiny hint of fragrant rosemary. Our Lemon Love bars are packed with natural ingredients and 11 grams of protein and marine collagen to help your skin from within. 

Almond Butter Chocolate Chip

Looking for a nutty and filling snack? Then try our Almond Butter Chocolate Chip bars. These bars taste like a delicious dark chocolate chip cookie but are fueled by the tasty power of real almond butter and almond protein. With this bar, you will get 13 grams of protein to fuel even the busiest of days. 

Sweetie Potato + Cinnamon

Are you a pumpkin spice latte girl? Then our Sweetie Potato + Cinnamon bar will satisfy all of your fall cravings without all the processed sugar that is in a PSL. With real almond butter, sweet potato, cinnamon, and a touch of organic dried coconut, these bars will power you up with 12 grams of protein. 

The Takeaway

Protein bars can be a great addition to a healthy diet so long as you ensure they are filled with clean natural ingredients. All of the protein bars from Kalumi BEAUTYfood are specially formulated to give you the nutrients your body needs to support healthy skin, hair, and nails, all in one tasty and convenient protein bar. 

So, which flavor are you going to try first? If you can’t decide, you can always order our Variety Intro Set to try all of our flavors at once. Trust us; once you try Kalumi BEAUTYfood bars, they will quickly become your go-to nutrient-dense snack. Snack smart to give your body the fuel it needs. 


Sources: 
Energy metabolism, fuel selection and body weight regulation | NIH 
Important Nutrients to Know: Proteins, Carbohydrates, and Fats | NIA 
Collagen | The Nutrition Source | Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health | Harvard Health 

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