When you’re on the go and need a healthy snack, protein bars might come in useful. However, because children don’t require significant amounts of protein all at once, it is vital to select bars that are low in protein. Kids’ snack bars may help if your child is a selective eater or does not receive enough protein from meals. Protein, complex carbohydrates, fiber, and other elements that promote health and well-being are included in the best protein bars for kids. These snacks are great for breakfast, snacks in between meals, or anytime during the day. We’ve compiled a list of protein bars for kids that you’ll enjoy and that are also excellent for them!
What are the Best Protein Bars for Kids?
To find the Best Protein Bars for Kids for you we have used several of protein bars for young people and selected the absolute top 7 protein bars for kids.
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. CLIF KID ZBAR Organic Lunch Box Snacks
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| Price: 💲💲💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 3.44 pounds (1.56 kg) Bars in a Pack: 36 Protein Content: 2 grams Calories per Bar: 140 |
The CLIF KID ZBAR organic lunch box snack bar is made from premium organic ingredients. Each snack bar is packed with about 8-11 grams of whole grains which can provide a good source of fiber in your kid’s diet. Although it is low in protein, it has many other minerals and vitamins that are essential to your child’s growth and development, including iron and calcium, as well as Vitamin E. ZBAR ensures that all ingredients used to produce each snack bar are cultivated and processed following soil and water quality standards, demonstrating their dedication to helping to conserve the natural environment.
Pros
- Contains a wide variety of essential minerals and vitamins,
- Do not contain artificial flavors and synthetic preservatives,
- Packed with fiber,
- Made from organic ingredients
Cons
- May contain peanuts,
- Low protein content
2. Clif Kid ZBAR Protein Granola Bars
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| Price: 💲💲💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 3.13 pounds (1.42 kg) Bars in a Pack: 30 Protein Content: 5 grams Gluten-Free: Yes |
These Clif Kid ZBAR protein granola bars are made from high-quality, nutritious ingredients that provide a balanced combination of carbs, fiber, protein, and fat to keep youngsters energized as they make the most of their time together. The ZBAR protein snack bar can be an excellent snack option for your child’s lunchbox since it’s free of substances that parents want to avoid, such as high fructose corn syrup, artificial flavors, and synthetic preservatives. They are produced at a facility that also processes peanuts and, as a result, may contain peanuts.
Pros
- Do not contain artificial flavors and synthetic preservatives,
- It is certified gluten-free,
- Provides your kids with energy on the go,
- Has a crispy, kid-friendly texture
Cons
- Made in a peanut processing facility and may contain peanuts,
- Contains added sugars
3. GoMacro Kids MacroBar Organic Vegan Snack Bars
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| Price: 💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 0.49 pounds (0.22 kg) Bars in a Pack: 7 Protein Content: 4 grams Gluten-Free: Yes Nuts-Free: No Vegan: Yes Calories per Bar: 110 |
The GoMacro Kids snack bar is made from organic ingredients and has an unique blend of peanut butter and chocolate, which gives it a great taste but may make it unsuitable for individuals who are allergic to nuts. Its low calories and sugar content make it an ideal snack option that can be included in a child’s lunch pack. Adults on a vegan diet may also welcome this organic vegan-friendly snack bar as a dessert choice to add variety to their diet. This organic snack bar does not contain any artificial sweeteners or harmful additives, and is also Non-GMO verified.
Pros
- Great addition to a vegan diet,
- Low calorie content makes it a healthy snack option to add to your kids’ lunch pack,
- Low fat content,
- Perfect blend of peanut butter and chocolate
Cons
- Not suitable for individuals with nut allergies,
- May be tough to chew
4. Orgain Organic Kids Energy Bar
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| Price: 💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 0.88 pounds (0.4 kg) Bars in a Pack: 10 Protein Content: 2 grams Gluten-Free: Yes Vegan: Yes Calories per Bar: 130 |
Each pack of Orgain Organic Kids energy bar contains 10 protein snack bars made from high-quality ingredients including organic whole grains. Packed with fibers and protein, this snack bar provides enough fuel to keep kids active without excess sugar content. Each snack bar is USDA-certified organic, non-GMO, gluten-free, non-dairy, and vegan-friendly. It also contains minerals such as iron and calcium, as well as vitamin D, which have immense benefits on children’s health and development. This organic protein bar can be an excellent choice for on-the-go meals, quick breakfasts, lunch box snacks, or light snacking.
Pros
- Cholesterol-free,
- Provides your kid with some essential minerals and vitamins,
- Good addition to your vegan diet,
- Made from organic ingredients
Cons
- It may not be suitable for individuals with nut allergies,
- May have an after-taste
5. Blake’s Seed Based Snack Bar
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| Price: 💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 1.04 pounds (0.47 kg) Bars in a Pack: 9 Protein Content: 4 grams Gluten-Free: Yes Nuts-Free: Yes Vegan: Yes Calories per Bar: 150 |
This Blake’s seed based snack bar is made from high-quality organic ingredients. They are made in a nut-free, gluten-free facility and are also dairy-free and sesame-free. They are great additions to your breakfast and they provide you with essential nutrients for the day. Despite the unpleasant after-taste some individuals may experience, this seed-based snack bar will fulfill your sweet craving without the use of additional sweeteners. This variety pack features a range of flavors to pick from if you get bored and need a change of flavour. Blake’s seed-based snack bars are an excellent choice for camping, hiking, or during lunch breaks at work or school.
Pros
- Do not contain added sugars,
- Great breakfast addition,
- Suitable for both adults and kids,
- Made from organic ingredients
Cons
- May have an unpleasant after-taste
6. Happy Tot Organics Fiber & Protein Oat Bar
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| Price: 💲💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 1.63 pounds (0.74 kg) Bars in a Pack: 30 Protein Content: 2 grams Gluten-Free: Yes Nuts-Free: Yes Calories per Bar: 90 |
Happy Tot fiber & protein oat bars are made from high-quality organic, non-GMO ingredients including whole grains. These protein bars are designed to provide a healthy snack option for kids. They’re rich in dietary fibers, which help with digestion and absorption of essential nutrients for growth and development. These cholesterol-free snack bars have a lower protein content than other snack options, but they are gluten-free and nut-free, making them suitable for those who have these allergies. They also supply your kids with a variety of nutrients, such as calcium and iron.
Pros
- Healthy and filling snack for toddlers,
- Cholesterol free snacks,
- Packed with dietary fibers,
- Made from organic ingredients
Cons
- It tends to get hard if exposed to air for too long,
- The size may be too small for adults
7. No Nuts! 100% Nut Free Dairy Free Vegan Protein Bars
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| Price: 💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Bars in a Pack: 4 Protein Content: 12 grams Gluten-Free: Yes Nuts-Free: Yes Vegan: Yes |
This vegan protein bar from No Nuts is nut-free and dairy-free. It is produced in a nut-free and gluten-free facility, allowing most individuals with nut allergies to enjoy at the same level. Each pack has a variety of protein bar flavors supported with added sugars, allowing you to try new flavors while still getting the same quantity of nutrients. These dairy free protein energy bars will become one of your new go-to vegan protein bars to help you through those post-workouts or as a quick snack to pack in your bag.
Pros
- Do not contain allergic ingredients such as nuts,
- Gluten-free bars,
- Do not contain dairy ingredients for those who maybe lactose intolerant,
- Suitable for people on vegan diet
Cons
- Price may be a little steep,
- Includes added sugars
Verdict
To sum up, out of the top 7 Best Protein Bars for Kids, our absolute top pick is CLIF KID ZBAR Organic Lunch Box Snacks.
If you have the money, you can go for Clif Kid ZBAR Protein Granola Bars which is our premium pick.
However, there’s nothing wrong with going for the budget option, which we found to be the GoMacro Kids MacroBar Organic Vegan Snack Bars.
Our other reviews you may find useful in your research:
What You Should Know Before Buying protein bars for kids
Allergens
Protein bars are a really good option as a snack and for fulfilling your protein needs. However, most of the protein bars contain one or more common allergens like gluten, fish, peanuts, milk, soy protein, eggs, and nuts. If you are allergic to any one of these options or you are a vegan, then be careful to research and look at the ingredients of the protein bar before buying any.
Flavours
Protein bars come in flavors such as dark chocolate, cookie dough caramel, mint, apple pie and more. You can choose a flavor of protein bars by your taste preference. However, there are some with a lot of artificial flavouring or sweetener, which could make it more unhealthy.
Not recommended for
Protein bars are a good source of energy and essential nutrients for everyone. But in some cases, it is not good for some people with specific health conditions. If you are a diabetic patient, then you should avoid taking the conventional protein bars as it might contain too much artificial sweeteners and sugars. If you are suffering from Amyloidosis, protein in these bars can also affect your body adversely and can damage your heart, liver spleen, and GIT. So its important to be careful and consult your doctor as well.
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 kids
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.
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.
Is it OK to eat 2 protein bars a day?
It depends on how active is your lifestyle, your body requirements, and your body type. Normally it is acceptable and good to eat one or two bars a day if the bars are rich in nutrition, have natural content and have minimal sugar. But take into consideration that excess of anything can be dangerous. Excessive protein intake can cause several anomalies in the body such as headache, nausea and intestinal discomfort, etc
Should I be wary of calories and sugar in protein bars?
Yes, should be mindful about the fat and sugar content on your protein bars for the well-being of your body. Some protein bars have just 15g of protein and 29g of sugar which is more than a chocolate bar. You should choose a protein bar with no more than 6 to 8 grams of sugar. Any amount above this convert your sugar bar into an unhealthy snack
