Name the most convenient and arguably the most delicious sweet and healthy snack:
a protein bar.
I love a good protein bar and almost always have one (or several) on hand for “emergencies”. They’re shelf-stable, quick and convenient, and full of protein for when you need it most. Not all protein bars are created equal, though, and there are only a few I will purchase and recommend consistently.
First, let’s really define what a protein bar is. Picture your grocery store snack aisle - in most stores, there’s a section for crackers and chips, a section for packaged cookies and desserts, and a section for snack bars and protein bars. When I’m here, I’m looking for a protein bar - one that has at least 10 grams of protein for every 200-250 calories. This is how I distinguish a snack bar from a protein bar (and frankly, I think snack bars should just become protein bars, anyway). So, trade in the granola or fruit or breakfast bars for a high-quality protein bar, per the recommendations below.
GoMacro Bars
I remember packing these into my backpack in college before heading off to a 12-hour day full of classes, office hours, tutoring sessions, and the like. Sometimes I could enjoy a GoMacro bar over a 10-minute break in my schedule, other times I had to quietly open the wrapper in class. No matter when, I always looked forward to my GoMacro snack :)
To this day, I still do! Now, I get to share a bar or two with my clients after our sessions and talk about why these bars are my favorite - for taste, for nutrition, for ingredient-quality, and more.
Why I love these:
plant-based protein blend - a blend of organic sprouted brown rice protein and organic pea protein builds a complete source of high-quality, easily digestible plant-based protein. no need to worry about lactose intolerance!
real sweetener - most protein bars rely on gut-wrenching artificial sweeteners and sugar alcohols to sweeten their products, but not here. sustainably sourced organic brown rice syrup is processed to remove heavy metals like arsenic and lead (present in most brown rice kernels), and lend a slower-digesting sweetness to the bars. read more here
organic ingredients - organic and sustainably sourced ingredients is GoMacro’s priority in their mission to support positive change for the planet, and to fill their bars with wholesome nutrition.
nothing funky - everything on the ingredients list makes sense. and if it doesn’t to you, ask me and I will explain it. happily. :)
taste and texture - the flavor is 100% real (meaning no off-taste of protein powder or artificial sweeteners lingering at the end of each bite) and the texture won’t leave your jaw aching!
my favorite flavors: Smooth Sanctuary (Double Chocolate + Peanut Butter Chips), Timeless Treasure (Salted Caramel + Chocolate Chips), Pure Promise (Maple + Sea Salt).
AND I have a special discount code for you guys! Use “haleyhansenfitness” at checkout for 25% off your entire order! (I do receive a small commission from each order placed using this code - thank you for supporting me!)
Rise Bars
My second favorite protein bars are Rise Bars! I’ve been loving these for years, too - they were another go-to pack-in-your-backpack snack for long, busy days in college. And I still grab one on my way out the door these days!
Why I love these:
high-quality protein (plant-based or whey) - choose from vegan protein bars, made with pea protein powder, or whey protein bars, made with whey protein isolate (the highest quality and easiest for the body to absorb)
minimal ingredients - 5 ingredients or less in each bar! and every single one makes sense, and has a purpose.
real sweeteners - nothing artificial here. these bars are sweetened with coconut nectar, maple syrup, honey or a blend of the three.
healthy fats - the base of nuts, like cashews or almonds, provide a healthy dose of beneficial monounsaturated fats to help keep you full and satisfied.
taste and texture - possibly the very best I’ve ever had, quite honestly. smooth, rich, soft, with the perfect amount of chew.
my favorite flavors: Chocolatey Coconut, Maple Cashew
