Bars
Protein bars, low sugar bars and oat based flapjacks in one place. We explain how much protein a bar really gives you, which type suits training or a busy afternoon, and what to check on the label before you buy.Read more →
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Choosing a high protein bar that fits your day
A bar is food you can carry, not a pill. Most bars in our sports nutrition range are built on whey or milk protein, on soy and pea protein, or on a blend, bound together with syrups, fibre and fats. Protein contributes to the growth and maintenance of muscle mass. That is the role the European food safety authority (EFSA) approves for protein, and it is why the grams per bar tell you more than the front of the wrapper.
The bar types you will find on this page
- High protein bars: usually 15 to 22 g protein per bar, chewy or layered, often coated. Made for after training or as a filling snack.
- Low sugar bars: the same protein idea, sweetened with maltitol or erythritol instead of syrup. You will find most of them in the protein bar range.
- Oat and flapjack style bars: more carbohydrate, less protein, easier on the stomach before a long ride or run.
- Nut and fruit bars: short ingredient lists, moderate protein, useful when you want a snack rather than a protein hit.
Two ingredients decide how a bar sits in your stomach. Sugar alcohols such as maltitol keep the sugar figure low, but in larger amounts they can cause wind or a loose stomach. Added fibres such as chicory root inulin do the same for some people. Coatings matter as well: chocolate coating adds fat, so a bar with 20 g protein can still sit above 200 kcal. Reading those three lines, protein, sugars and fat, takes ten seconds and tells you what you are actually buying.
How we choose the bars we stock
We judge a bar on three things: the protein source, the amount per bar, and what carries the taste. We prefer bars with at least 15 g protein and an ingredient list you can read out loud, and we pass on bars where sugar and palm fat do most of the work. We stock whey based bars, such as those from Barebells, next to plant based options, so the choice follows your diet and not our margin. Every bar passes our compliance team before it goes live, we taste them ourselves, and independent labs spot-check batches. Read how we select brands and products.
Who bars genuinely suit
A bar earns its place when the alternative is skipping food or buying whatever sits by the till. It works well after training, between meetings, on a train, or in a rucksack on a walking day, because it needs no fridge and no prep. Before long endurance efforts the limiting factor is carbohydrate, not protein, so energy gels or an oat bar suit that moment better than a dense protein bar.
Be honest about the trade-off. Per gram of protein, a bar costs more than powder or than eggs and quark, and you are paying for convenience and flavour. Used two or three times a week, a bar makes a daily protein target realistic on the days when cooking does not happen. That consistency is the benefit, and it is a real one.
Frequently asked questions
What is a protein bar?
A protein bar is a snack food with a higher protein content than a normal chocolate or cereal bar. The protein comes from milk protein, whey, soy, pea or a blend, mixed with syrups, fibre, fats and flavours, then pressed and often coated. Most bars sit between 15 and 22 g protein. Protein contributes to the growth and maintenance of muscle mass, which is why people use bars around training and as a filling snack.
Which type of bar should I choose?
Start with the moment you will eat it, then match the texture and the protein level.
| Bar type | Character | Suits |
|---|---|---|
| High protein, coated | Chewy, sweet, higher in fat | After training, hunger gaps |
| Low sugar | Sugar alcohols instead of syrup | Watching sugar intake |
| Oat or flapjack | Softer, carbohydrate led | Before longer efforts |
| Nut and fruit | Short ingredient list | Everyday snacking |
If you mainly want cheap grams of protein, protein powders are more efficient.
When is the best time to eat a bar?
There is no magic window. Most people eat a bar after training, because a full meal is often an hour or two away and the bar closes that gap. It also works mid-morning or mid-afternoon, when the choice is otherwise a biscuit. Before short training sessions a bar is fine; within thirty minutes of a hard session it can feel heavy, since the fat and fibre slow digestion. Try it on an easy day first.
How much protein do I need each day?
EFSA sets a reference value per kilogram of body weight, so your target scales with your size. For a person of 70 kg that is about 58 g per day. Active people often aim higher, and a bar with 20 g covers a useful part of it, not all of it.
| Group | Reference value |
|---|---|
| Adults | 0.83 g per kg per day |
| Pregnancy, third trimester | + 28 g per day |
| Breastfeeding, first 6 months | + 19 g per day |
Source: EFSA
Can I eat a protein bar every day?
Yes, as part of normal eating. A bar is a processed snack, so treat it like one: it fits around meals rather than replacing them. If you eat two or three bars daily you take in a fair amount of fat, sweeteners and added fibre, which some people notice in their digestion. One bar a day, on the days it genuinely helps, gives you the convenience without crowding out whole foods.
Why do some bars cause bloating or a loose stomach?
Two ingredients are usually behind it. Sugar alcohols such as maltitol, sorbitol and xylitol are only partly absorbed, so in larger amounts they can cause wind or a laxative effect. Added fibres such as chicory root inulin ferment in the gut and can do the same. Labels carry a warning about excessive consumption for a reason. Start with half a bar, drink water with it, and switch to a nut or oat based bar if it keeps happening.
Are vegan protein bars as good as whey based bars?
For protein quality, a blend beats a single plant source. Soy protein is complete on its own; pea protein is low in methionine, so bars often pair it with rice or almond protein to cover the gaps. The practical difference is texture: plant based bars are usually firmer and drier than milk protein bars. Check the protein figure, since some plant bars land nearer 10 g. See our vegan-friendly products for the full picture.
Can a bar replace a meal or help with weight goals?
A single bar is not a meal replacement. Meal replacement products must meet legal rules on vitamins, minerals and energy, which normal protein bars do not. Where a bar helps is portion control: it has a fixed calorie count on the label, and protein and fibre keep you satisfied longer than sugar alone. Compare bars honestly, though, since a coated bar of 60 g can hold as much energy as a small meal.
