Samantha began her career in clinical nutrition and weight management at a tertiary hospital in Manila, Philippines. Her practice allowed her to give nutrition counseling and plan modified diets for patients with medical conditions. Presently, she does private practice to focus on true holistic wellness - an approach that believes in aligning one's mind, body, and spiritual well-being.
Our recommendation articles are carefully researched and crafted by the mybest Philippines team of writers and editors. To stay true to our company’s mission and vision to help users’ selection process easier, we also collaborate with experts from various fields to ensure that our content stays factual and useful.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
The products and services listed are ranked independently by the editorial team based on the points mentioned in our thoroughly researched buying guide (as of 01-16-2023).
Table of Contents
Protein bars all look similar, and it can be confusing which bars are healthy food and which are just glorified candy bars. We've compiled a few tips on how to decide which protein bar is the right snack for you to keep in your pantry.
Protein is the primary benefit a protein bar can give you nutritionally. For athletes, this nutrient can help strengthen the muscles during your training sessions. It also gives you more energy to get through the day. Even non-athletes can benefit from a protein bar because they tend to be filling without being dense and heavy.
Protein bars can go from as little as 2 grams to as high as 30 grams of protein. High-protein bars might seem like the best buy, but sometimes manufacturers sacrifice taste for high protein content. Always check the product description or its packaging first before you purchase, and make sure the bar offers at least 10 to 20 grams of the nutrient.
Like other macronutrients (carbohydrates and fats), protein plays a significant role in our immune system, hormonal production, rebuilding tissues and muscles, and even supporting digestive health. Everyone's needs are unique. To determine the right amount of protein you need in a day, it is best to consult a registered dietitian. A person's daily protein requirement depends on age, activity level, and present medical condition.
While protein might be the most important ingredient in the bar, it's not the only one that contributes to the healthiness—or unhealthiness—of a protein bar. When looking at the label, it's important to take note of the other nutrients it gives. For example, carbohydrates should not be the most prominent nutrient.
Carbohydrates are usually added in excess because they make the product taste better at the expense of the health benefits. Make sure that the calorie count doesn't go above 400. Good protein bars also have healthy fats in them and enough fiber to help you process your meal and keep you full the whole day.
When buying processed foods, always read the label, particularly the ingredients list. If the protein bar you're buying has sugar, refined oils/fats, or even chemicals (terms you can't even pronounce) listed first, then consider other options. Always choose the ones made with natural and simple ingredients whenever possible.
There are protein bars that fit into all kinds of fitness diets nowadays. Whether you're keto, paleo, gluten-free, or vegan, there's going to be a protein bar that can help you boost your protein and supplement your workouts. Always check the ingredients and the labels to guarantee that a bar can be in your diet.
This is especially important when it comes to checking the protein sources of your protein bar. Some bars get their protein from egg whites and other animal products, while others get them from plants like pea, rice, and soy. The different protein sources may give the same nutrient, but some sources only fit certain diets.
There are plant-based protein bars commercially available nowadays. The protein sources are coming from whole foods such as nuts, seeds, or legumes. Every plant protein source has a unique taste profile. So when buying, consider the quality and the grams of protein per serving (ideally 20 grams protein per serving for a good quality protein bar).
Tasty protein bars are a great way to satisfy a sweet tooth and get your nutrients in. However, the tastiest bars can mean they packed the product with a ton of sugar and fat to get it to taste good. Some protein bars are even worse than baked pastries in terms of these bad nutrients to make their product the best-tasting.
A protein bar should have no more than 5 grams of sugar in a single serving. As much as possible, there should be no saturated or trans fats either. While sugar and saturated fats are tasty, they throw us off our fitness goals and should not be tolerated in our protein bars.
Choose protein bars that contain good fats such as nuts/nut butter, seeds/seed butter, coconut oil instead of those with hydrogenated fats/oils. Check out the ingredients list for added sugars or flavorings. As much as possible, sugar content should be less than 5 grams. Beware of sugar alcohols and artificial sweeteners since these can cause bloating or gassiness in some people.
As a nutritionist-dietitian, I encourage my clients to get most of their nutrition from whole foods. However, taking protein supplements/protein bars can also be beneficial to your diet. For example, if you're always on the go, an athlete, or a very active individual. Again, protein bars can only supplement your diet. Ideally, our protein requirement should come from whole natural foods like animal proteins, nuts, seeds, legumes, etc.
Once you've done your homework in reading the food label of the protein bar you wish to buy, try a few pieces first. Buying a product in bulk can be economical but at the same time, be mindful of the expiration dates too. Only buy the quantity which you can consume in a given period of time.
From ₱149
Their maple waffle variant is best for those who want a subtle sweetness and buttery goodness to their pre or post-workout. The taste is simple and not over the top. This bar will solve your cravings for breakfast flavors while filling you up with protein, fiber, and carbohydrates!
From ₱160
As its brand name suggests, No Cow's protein bars do not include animal by-products and are completely vegan and gluten-free. This contains only plant-based sources of protein such as brown rice and peas. If you're lactose intolerant, consider buying this protein bar as it is lactose-free.
They offer multiple flavor combinations. If you want hints of fruit, try the Lemon Meringue Pie, Blueberry Cobbler, or Raspberry Truffle. The Mint Cacao Chip and Chocolate Glazed Donut are for those with adventurous taste buds. The minimalist packaging makes it easy to distinguish the variants just by the color of the text.
Also, natural sweeteners are used like stevia and monk fruit, which makes this low in sugar at just 1 gram. The fiber content of each bar is high, ranging from 15 to 17 grams depending on the flavor. As for the carbohydrates, you will get around 23 to 26 grams for a filling, nutritious, and guilt-free snack.
From ₱175
If you're looking for a protein bar that packs a punch, consider Universal Nutrition's Hi Protein bars. It has a net weight of 85 grams with a whopping 33 grams of quality protein. This is an ideal snack before and after your grueling workout to support muscle growth and recovery.
It has 295 calories and 30 grams of carbohydrates to fuel your body but only contains 1 gram of sugar despite having flavors on the sweeter side. Two classic flavors are available for this protein bar - chocolate peanut butter and chocolate brownie. The texture is soft and moist so it is easy to chew.
From ₱150
These protein bars by Battle Bites are inspired by desserts like carrot cake, red velvet, glazed donut, pretzel, mud pie, and more. Each bar is baked to perfection for a softer texture to resemble fresh-off-the-oven treats. They are tasty and have a good amount of protein at 20 grams while maintaining at most 3 grams of sugar.
There are two bites or bars in one pack, best for those who want to eat something nutritious and light right before doing physical activities but are not too hungry to finish a whole bar. This is a great choice if you tend to save the rest for later without worrying about the bar becoming stale.
From ₱165
If you like your protein bar to have more texture, get these bars from Barebells! They have six variants that have a rich chocolate exterior. All of which have a coating either of almonds, peanuts, cashews, hazelnuts, nougats, or chocolate to provide a satisfying crunch and nutty flavor.
On top of that, you will get 20g of protein! Despite its decadent quality, this does not include palm oil and added sugars, just sweeteners and naturally occurring sugars. Buy any of these protein bars to get your protein fix and a sweet and delicious snack in one!
From ₱159
Are freshly baked goods right up your alley? We have great news for you as NxtBar has a banana nut bread flavored protein bar! It is made with natural ingredients and does not contain added sugar. Aside from the banana paste and almond butter, each bar is also filled with walnuts, dark chocolate chips, pumpkin seeds, and peanuts.
This has a reasonable amount of protein at 15 grams, best for those who are just beginning to take protein supplements. It has low calories, sugar, and carbohydrates. You can also opt for this if you are already on a high-protein diet yet still want a protein bar as a snack that will not make your intake go overboard.
From ₱92
The protein source for this gluten-free bar comes from milk, soy, tapioca, and whey. According to the directions, eat one bar with an 8-ounce glass of water to achieve the best results.
From ₱189
This protein bar from Think! is oh-so decadent because of its caramel flavor made even more delectable with the chocolate coating. The salt balances out the sweetness of the caramel and chocolate so you will consume the whole bar without the feeling of umay.
Did we tell you that a bar only has 150 calories? You heard that right! Incorporate this healthy snack into your diet even if you're keeping track of your calorie intake. This proves that you don't need to sacrifice the taste with nutrition as it has 10 grams of protein and 5 grams of fiber.
From ₱244
These protein bars only contain 10.8 grams of protein but they're also low in calories at only 180. Soy and tapioca starch compose its plant protein blend. This is a perfect everyday protein bar for a nutritious meal on-the-go. They're filled with roasted nuts that can satisfy your hunger without weighing you down.
They are also some of the cheapest protein bars on the market, making them perfect for everyday consumption. You can buy a few boxes of this to last you a month or a few weeks without breaking the bank.
They have four other flavors available so far with peanut butter brownie, cookies and cream, greek yoghurt and berry, and salted dark chocolate and almond.
From ₱1,530
What if we tell you that you can now enjoy one of the crowd-favorite chocolate bars as a protein bar? You heard that right! Snickers bars have been an old reliable sweet snack that you grab when you're hungry. While that stays true, this version is as indulgent yet has 20 grams of protein to boot!
This set of 12 bars is a good choice if you love Snickers and would like to ensure your stash. However, it does not contain fiber and has sugar content on the higher end at 9.5 grams. If you're just looking for a protein bar that would fill your protein needs but not so keen on other factors, this is your best bet.
Know more about protein bars and proper nutrition below! Here are Samantha Morales' answers to some of the internet's most asked questions.
As much as possible, get your nutrition from whole foods. A protein bar can supplement your diet, but it should not be the sole source of your daily nutrient needs. A protein bar is beneficial for emergency purposes, when you're on the go or if you're a very active individual.
Good quality protein bars can be eaten before or after working out. Consuming a protein bar before a workout may boost your performance, while consuming it after work out can help in the growth and repair of your muscles.
Protein bars can be considered healthy as long as they're made of simple and real ingredients. They should not be made of too much sugar, trans fat, artificial flavoring, additives, or fillers.
Want to know which protein bars are nutritionist-dietitian-approved? Read below to check out Samantha Morales' recommended products!
Re-editor: Patricia Catimpo
Our buying guide was carefully researched and crafted by the mybest team of writers and editors, in collaboration with the expert featured in this article. We used the buying guide as a basis for choosing and ranking the product recommendations, and we looked at reviews and ratings from different E-commerce sites like Lazada, Shopee, and more.
When you purchase products mentioned in the article, part of the sales may be returned to mybest.
The descriptions of each product is referenced from the content available from the manufacturer, e-commerce sites etc.
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