Getting enough protein and calories to stay up with training as an endurance athlete has always been a concern. Protein bars are particularly valuable for those who are preparing for a race or marathon since they provide an additional source of protein to their workout routine. The best energy bars for runners will offer you the energy you need before you start your run, keep you full while you’re on the go, and provide you with the energy you require for you not to break down when you need it most. Here are a few of the healthiest and most useful protein bars for runners.
What are the Best Protein Bars for Runners?
To find the Best Protein Bars for Runners for you we have used several of protein bars for joggers and selected the absolute top 6 protein bars for runners.
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. 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
2. N!CK’S Keto Snack Bar Krispi Nougat
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| Price: 💲💲💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 1.54 pounds (0.7 kg) Bars in a Pack: 12 Protein Content: 15 grams Nuts-Free: No Calories per Bar: 190 |
N!CK’S chocolate hazelnut cream and crunchy snack bar coated in rich chocolate is made with quality ingredients and offers a delightful, satisfying snack. It has a high protein content that can provide you with enough on-the-go fuel to keep you energized throughout the day. N!CK’S snack bar is also an excellent keto-friendly snack bar with its combination of low carbs (4g net carbs), healthy fats, protein, and amazing flavor. It is however made in a facility that also processes nuts, so it may not be suitable for individuals with nut allergies. It also has a low calorie count and no added sugars, which can make it a great snack candy bar to indulge in without worrying too much about gaining too much weight.
Pros
- No added sugars,
- Rich chocolate coating,
- No chalky protein aftertaste,
- Keto-friendly snack bar
Cons
- Not suitable for individuals with nut allergies,
- It may not be suitable for a vegan snack
3. CLIF BUILDERS Gluten Free Protein Bars
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| Price: 💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Bars in a Pack: 1 Protein Content: 20 grams Gluten-Free: Yes Nuts-Free: No Calories per Bar: 280 |
CLIF BUILDERS gluten free protein bars include 20g of plant protein manufactured from high-quality ingredients in each chocolate-flavored bar. Whether you’re at the gym or at work, each bar delivers full protein with essential amino acids to help you grow and repair muscles. Builders protein bars have a low glycemic index, which means they digest slowly and provide sustained energy. It’s also gluten-free, making it an excellent protein bar for individuals who want to recuperate after a strenuous workout while avoiding gluten in their diet.
Pros
- Gluten-free,
- Made from low glycemic-index ingredients for prolonged energy release,
- Provides essential amino acids from plant-based proteins,
- Chocolate flavour
Cons
- Contain allergic ingredients including peanuts,
- May leave crumbs while eating
4. MET-Rx Big 100 Colossal Protein Bars
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| Price: 💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 3.28 pounds (1.49 kg) Bars in a Pack: 12 Protein Content: 30 grams Calories per Bar: 410 |
MET-Rx protein bars are crafted with high-quality ingredients that are high in protein to help you stay on track with your nutrition, and give your body the energy it requires. Each protein bar contains 430 calories, making it an ideal snack option for before and after your workout sessions. It also contains a variety of vitamins and minerals that can provide you with the nutrition you need to improve your workout, muscle growth, and post-workout recovery. The unique metamosyn protein combination in MET-Rx Big 100 protein bars puts together fast and slow absorbing protein sources that may help you improve your performance level. These protein bars are made in a facility that also processes nuts and may contain nuts in them.
Pros
- Unique protein blend provides high protein content,
- Each bar contains a high amount of calories that provide adequate fuel during workout sessions,
- Contains a wide variety of vitamins and minerals,
- Makes an excellent breakfast option
Cons
- Made in a nut-processing facility
5. 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
6. Quest Nutrition Chocolate Brownie Keto Friendly Protein Bars
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| Price: 💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Bars in a Pack: 12 Protein Content: 20 grams Gluten-Free: Yes |
Made from high-quality ingredients containing complete, dairy-based proteins that provide your body with essential amino acids, the Quest chocolate brownie protein bars taste like freshly-baked brownies. In addition to it’s high protein content, these yummy chocolate protein bars are low in carbs, and gluten-free as well, making them perfect for anyone on a keto diet. Each Quest chocolate protein bar is packed with fiber, which gives your body a more balanced macronutrient composition. You can also satisfy your sweet tooth and brownie cravings with this protein bar without worrying about added sugars.
Pros
- Do not contain added sugars,
- Gluten-free protein bars,
- Suitable for individuals on a keto diet,
- Packed with fiber
Cons
- Manufactured in a facility that also processes peanuts and tree nuts,
- They might be a bit difficult to chew
Verdict
To sum up, out of the top 6 Best Protein Bars for Runners, our absolute top pick is Truth Bar Healthy Snacks Pack Diabetic Protein Bars.
If you have the money, you can go for N!CK’S Keto Snack Bar Krispi Nougat which is our premium pick.
However, there’s nothing wrong with going for the budget option, which we found to be the CLIF BUILDERS Gluten Free Protein Bars.
Our other reviews you may find useful in your research:
What You Should Know Before Buying protein bars for runners
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.
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.
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.
Questions and Answers About protein bars for runners
When should runners eat protein bars?
Protein bars are recommended after a workout because they help in building any slight muscle fibers tear because of running. A bar rich in carbohydrates is usually recommended instead of a protein bar before 45 mins of workout because protein sugars and fiber slow down the digestive system. In addition to that, no two bodies are the same and in most of the runners, it is observed pre-workout protein cause GI disturbances. If your workout window is more than 90 minutes you can take an energy-rich source such as an energy drink in between the run.
Do protein bars make you gain muscle?
Yes, protein bars can help you gain muscles. Our skeletal muscles are composed of almost 80% of protein excluding water. Skeletal muscles are made up of bundles of thread-like structures called myofibrils which are made up of thick and thin filaments comprising of myosin and actin respectively.
These are large protein molecules so we can say the building block of our muscles is proteins. Because of this, we can say protein bars help with muscle gain. But remember balance is the key. Take proteins in a balance with other nutrients because taking excess can cause more harm than benefit.
What difference does the type of protein make?
Amino acids are building blocks of proteins. And proteins are building blocks of our muscles. All amino acids come from vegetable sources and animal sources. Animal sources are considered ideal sources of protein because they provide all amino acids needed for the body also known as complete proteins. Plants lack some of the amino acids necessary for the body so are incomplete proteins. We intake proteins from animals and plants. Our body digests them into simple amino acids which are then used for building muscles. Make sure to add animal sources in diet so you don’t lack essential amino acids.
How soon before a workout should I eat a protein bar?
There is no hard and fast rule for protein intake. Pre-workout protein bars give you energy and essential amino acids for your body and muscles. As we don’t want to feel heavy before a workout so we can eat a protein bar almost 30-60 mins before the workout. The intake of protein bars entirely depends on body needs and may vary from person to person but as we don’t want to feel heavy and bloated before a workout.
