People with diabetes must carefully plan their diet and exercise, as well as test their blood sugar levels on a regular basis. They must fight the sugar cravings from snacks, in addition to managing their consumption of protein, fiber, and carbohydrates, which may be stressful. When looking for the best diabetic snack bar, look for one that is both energy-efficient and protein-rich, as well as one that can help you maintain your blood sugar levels. We’ll show you the best diabetes-friendly protein bars that are a wise and healthy choice for both your sweet taste and your fitness objectives in this post.
What are the Best Protein Bars for Diabetics?
To find the Best Protein Bars for Diabetics for you we have used several of protein bars suitable diabetics and selected the absolute top 7 protein bars for diabetics.
This is based on our first-hand experiences, years of practice as well as individual research on what others have to say, so that we can give you a more well-rounded review.
Feel free to scroll to the end of this article for a short buying guide and some frequently asked questions.
1. Glucerna Snack Bars to Help Manage Blood Sugar
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| Price: 💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 2.31 pounds (1.05 kg) Bars in a Pack: 20 Protein Content: 10 grams Nuts-Free: No Calories per Bar: 160 |
Glucerna snack bars can allow you satisfy your sweet cravings without worrying about spikes in your blood sugar level. This snack bar is made with high-quality ingredients and has a special combination of slow-releasing carbs with a low glycemic index that stops your blood sugar from rapidly rising after you eat it. Its high protein and low sugar content make it an ideal keto-friendly snack option. In addition to the wide variety of vitamins and minerals these snack bars provide, they are also cholesterol-free making them a healthy snack choice. These snack bars are also made from oats and nuts, giving them a crispy and crunchy texture.
Pros
- Low glycemic index ingredients,
- Cholesterol-free,
- Designed to help control blood sugar spikes,
- Good source of minerals and vitamins
Cons
- May not be suitable for individuals with nut allergies,
2. Truth Bar Healthy Snacks Pack Diabetic Protein Bars
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| Price: 💲💲💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 1.39 pounds (0.63 kg) Bars in a Pack: 12 Protein Content: 1 gram Gluten-Free: Yes Vegan: Yes Calories per Bar: 180 |
These high fiber, low carbs Truth healthy snack bars are made from organic ingredients and are certified gluten-free. Truth’s healthy snack pack features a low-sugar, all-natural protein bar with beneficial omega-3 fats and fiber for a well-balanced nutrition bar. It also features a great blend of prebiotics and probiotics that promote healthy gut flora growth and has numerous health benefits. Each Truth protein bar contains 180 calories and can serve as a good energy bar to provide enough fuel on-the-go. These Truth protein bars, on the other hand, are prepared at a facility that also processes nuts and may mistakenly include nuts, making them unsuitable for anyone who is allergic to nuts.
Pros
- A smooth combination of prebiotics and probiotics provides GI health benefits,
- Excellent snack option for a keto diet,
- High fiber content,
- Gluten-free snack bars
Cons
- May contain nuts,
- High sodium content
3. SlimFast Diabetic Friendly Meal Replacement Bar
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| Price: 💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 0.57 pounds (0.26 kg) Bars in a Pack: 5 Protein Content: 7 grams Gluten-Free: Yes Calories per Bar: 190 |
This SlimFast diabetic-friendly meal replacement bar is formulated with ingredients that can help control blood sugar levels while also providing a delicious taste. Each meal replacement bar combines the right blend of creamy mousse and chocolate to produce a delightful taste experience. These snack bars have a high amount of dietary fiber, which helps to manage blood sugar levels while also improving digestion as well as gastrointestinal health. They do, however, contain cholesterol, albeit in little amounts. These nutrient-dense bars are also good sources of vitamins and minerals.
Pros
- Packed with high dietary fiber content,
- High protein content provides health fuel on the go,
- Good source of vitamins and minerals,
- Great taste
Cons
- Contains cholesterol,
- Made in a nut processing facility
4. BSN Whey Protein Bars – Protein Crisp Bar by Syntha-6
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| Price: 💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Bars in a Pack: 12 Protein Content: 20 grams Gluten-Free: Yes Calories per Bar: 230 |
This BSN protein crisp bar is made from premium ingredients. It is packed with high protein content in a unique blend of whey protein concentrate, whey protein isolate, and milk protein concentrate. This high protein content in each bar can provide you with enough fuel on-the-go. Despite its low sugar level, it has a distinct crunchy texture that can let you satisfy your sweet craving without having to worry about consuming too much sugar. This BSN protein bar contains 230 calories per snack bar, making it a great pre- and post-workout snack. It also provides calcium for healthy bone development.
Pros
- High protein content makes it an excellent pre- and post-workout snack option,
- Gluten-free snack bar,
- It has a distinct crunchy texture,
- Contains a high amount of calcium
Cons
- Its low sugar content may reduce its sweetness,
- May contain nuts making them unsuitable for individuals with nut allergies
5. Redcon1 MRE Bar – Meal Replacement Protein Bar
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| Price: 💲💲💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 2.05 pounds (0.93 kg) Bars in a Pack: 12 Protein Content: 20 grams Calories per Bar: 260 |
Redcon1 MRE protein bars are produced from real food sources and do not contain artificial sweeteners or additives. Each snack bar has 260 calories, which can make it an ideal snack size meal to have on the go or as a pre-workout snack to give your body the energy it requires. It also has a high calcium content, which aids in bone formation and growth. Because they’re prepared at a facility that also handles nuts, this Redcon1 MRE snack bar might contain nuts, making it unsuitable for anyone with nut allergies. The snack bar is easy to break apart and has a fantastic food-like texture that may be enjoyable to eat and easy to digest. They however contain a high amount of saturated fat which may provide potential health risks.
Pros
- Made from real food sources,
- No artificial sweeteners and additives,
- Easy to digest and won’t cause stomach upsets,
- High protein content
Cons
- It may contain nuts making it unsuitable for individuals with nut allergies,
- Contains a high amount of saturated fat
6. NEOH Low Carb Protein & Candy Bar
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| Price: 💲💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 0.99 pounds (0.45 kg) Bars in a Pack: 12 Protein Content: 7 grams Calories per Bar: 90 |
NEOH protein candy bar is a low carb, low calorie snack bar made from premium quality ingredients. Each NEOH protein bar has low sugar content and contains only 90 calories thereby allowing you to supplement your protein intake in a healthy way without worrying about excess sugar intake. This snack bar also contains dietary fiber for easy digestion and improved gut health. Its high protein and low carbs content make it a suitable snack option if you are on a keto diet. This NEOH candy bar may be an excellent on-the-go snack for an energy boost, with a low glycemic index, alkaline ingredients, antioxidants, and other beneficial components like calcium and iron.
Pros
- Contains healthy antioxidants,
- It has a low glycemic index so you don’t have to worry about blood sugar spikes,
- High protein and low carbs content makes it an excellent keto-friendly snack option,
- Contains dietary fiber for improved digestion
Cons
- Low calorie content may make it unsuitable for pre- intensive workout snacks,
- May contain traces of nuts and gluten
7. Glucerna Mini Treats for People with Diabetes
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| Price: 💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 1.54 pounds (0.7 kg) Bars in a Pack: 24 Protein Content: 3 grams Calories per Bar: 80 |
Glucerna mini treats may help people with diabetes enjoy sweet treats without compromising their health. Each snack bar is made from high-quality ingredients with a low glycemic index that allows for the slow release of carbs to prevent blood sugar spikes. They are also micronutrient dense and are a good source of 26 different vitamins and minerals with numerous health benefits. Although low in protein content, these mini treats are also cholesterol-free making them a healthy snack option to provide you with enough fuel on the go. These pocket-sized treat bars may provide a handy way to receive the essential nutrients you need while also satisfying your appetite.
Pros
- Cholesterol-free snack bars,
- Made from low glycemic index ingredients,
- Nutritionally-dense mini treats,
- Excellent snack option for diabetics
Cons
- Have a low protein content,
- May not be suitable for individuals with nut allergies
Verdict
To sum up, out of the top 7 Best Protein Bars for Diabetics, our absolute top pick is Glucerna Snack Bars to Help Manage Blood Sugar.
If you have the money, you can go for Truth Bar Healthy Snacks Pack Diabetic Protein Bars which is our premium pick.
However, there’s nothing wrong with going for the budget option, which we found to be the SlimFast Diabetic Friendly Meal Replacement Bar.
Our other reviews you may find useful in your research:
What You Should Know Before Buying protein bars for diabetics
Fiber content
Fiber is one of the essential components of your protein bar. Fibers help in lowering cholesterol, controlling sugar levels, and helps to maintain bowel health. Aim for a protein bar with 6- 15 grams of dietary fiber. Make sure that you are not exceeding your daily fiber intake because some bars are high in fiber and constant overconsumption of them can cause bowel problems and bloating. Protein bars contain a varied amount of fiber ranging from 6gram to even 20 grams. Choose a protein bar according to your nutritional requirements.
Sugar content
Opting for a protein bar to replace a snack is a good habit to nurture. But in some cases, many protein bars in the market are a candy bar in disguise. A protein bar should contain ideally low-fat content and high protein content to give you the most benefits. So if you want a good and nutritious protein bar, aim for a bar not more than 5-8g of sugar per bar.
Vegan options
Protein bars are a beneficial and convenient snack. However, if you are a vegan, you should look for a vegan protein bar that doesn’t contain ingredients such as yogurt powder or milk. They are many plants-based protein bars such as soy or brown rice bars. Similarly, there is also an alternative of nut-based protein bars where the origin of protein is nuts and seeds. These bars are specially designed for vegan people.
Cost per bar
Protein bars come in various level of quality and range, and their price depends heavily on the ingredients. Some bars are designed specially for diabetic people while others are power bars designed for athletes. Their prices vary depending on their flavor and ingredients but most of the protein bars can cost between $1- $8 per bar.
Questions and Answers About protein bars for diabetics
Does protein bars raise blood sugar?
Raise of blood sugar level from consuming a protein bar depends entirely on the protein bar you are consuming. Some protein bars are rich in natural ingredients and low in sugar and cholesterol as well. Such protein bars don’t have any significant effect on blood sugar levels. If the protein bar is rich in sugar and ingredients such as corn syrup, instead of providing essential nutrients it can increase blood sugar levels above normal and can harm the body.
What is the best protein for diabetics?
If you have diabetes, you need to find a protein bar that fulfills your nutritional requirements and also doesn’t surge your sugar levels. A protein bar with fewer calories, less sugary ingredients with a combination of high protein content and fiber is a yes for diabetic patients. The amount of carbohydrates is also an important factor as they will be converted into glucose. So make sure that the carbohydrate content is also low. The suggested carbs ratio to protein is 1:1.
Which ingredients to avoid when buying protein bars for kids?
Protein bars are a healthy snack option for all ages including kids. However, because of the growing age and different nutritional requirements of children, the nutritional content must be taken into consideration. Protein bars with high sugar content such as corn syrup, malt syrup must be avoided. especially for children as they are prone to sugar addictions. Pick protein bars with a low GI as they take a long time to digest and make sure your kids are getting the right amount of nutrients from protein bars.
Can I eat protein bar everyday?
Yes, a protein bar is a healthy snack for daily consumption. You can consume a protein bar every day but make sure you are consuming a healthy and nutritious protein bar and not a sugar loaded candy disguised as a bar. Some protein bars have high-fat, sugar content and calories which can lead to diabetes, obesity, and several other diseases. Before buying any protein bar, review its nutrition values and sugar content.
