Top 6 Nutrition Bars 2019
Stephanie is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and founder of Stephanie Lee Nutrition. Originally from NE Wisconsin, she started out as a licensed cosmetologist. She then went on to graduate with a B.S. in Human Biology, emphasis in Nutrition and Dietetics and completed 1200 hours of clinical experience through Priority Nutrition Care Distance Dietetic Internship. She uses her passion for nutrition and wellness as a tool to help women feel their best inside and out.
Whatever you call them, nutrition bars, granola bars, energy bars, or protein bars, our world is obsessed with them. I mean that is why we’ve got a post on the Top 6 Nutrition Bars of 2019. With the ease and convenience of a nutrition bar, it’s hard not to love them. A nutrition bar needs minimal preparation and is easily taken on the go, eaten in the office, or stashed in a gym bag. What’s not to love? After all, the majority of Americans associate these bars as a healthy snack.
Unfortunately, these bars are often little more than a glorified cookie or candy bar. Many of these bars contain excessive amounts of carbs, added sugar, and refined oils. But fear not, it is possible to find healthier options. Nutrition bars are NOT all created equal. We are here to break down the nutrition behind some of our favorite nutrition bars. Maybe you already have a few of these in your pantry and maybe you’ll find a few new bars to try. So let’s get started with our Top 6 Nutrition Bars of 2019!
1. Primal Kitchen Collagen Bars
Primal Kitchen Collagen Nut and Seed Bars are one of our favorites at SLN by far. Flavor-wise, our go-to bars are the coconut cashew and dark chocolate almond. Each flavor contains healthy fats, 13-15 grams of protein, and are lower in carbs and sugar. Primal Kitchen bars contain zero gluten, grains, dairy, whey or soy. I also love the simple ingredients and natural sweeteners like monk fruit.
Sample Ingredient List: Almonds, Prebiotic Tapioca Fiber, Bovine Collagen Peptides, Pumpkin Seeds, Egg Whites, Honey, Unsweetened Chocolate, Cocoa (Processed with Alkali), Eggs, Water, Cocoa Extract, Vanilla Extract, Sunflower Lecithin
2. Zing Vitality Bars
Dietitian made and husband approved, Zing Vitality Bars ring in as one of the top contenders of nutrition bars. I literally hide all of the dark chocolate coconut bars from the hubby so I can save the all for myself. The core of these bars focus in on a balance of healthy fats, complex carbohydrates, and protein. Zing bars are free of wheat, gluten, soy, sugar alcohols, synthetic vitamins and minerals, artificial flavors, colors, and additives. As an added bonus, these bars boast a high fiber profile.
Sample Ingredient List: Almonds, Dark Chocolate (Organic Sugar, Chocolate Liquor, Cocoa Butter, Cocoa Powder [Dutch Alkalized], Sunflower Lecithin), Rice Protein Concentrate, Prebiotic Tapioca Fiber, Organic Tapioca Syrup, Organic Brown Rice Crisps (Organic Brown Rice, Organic Brown Rice Syrup, Salt), Unsweetened Coconut, Organic Agave Syrup, Rice Bran, Organic Coconut Flavor, Sunflower Lecithin
3. KIND Bars
KIND Bars, specifically the nuts and spices variety, make our list for the Top 6 Nutrition Bars 2019. This classic nutrition bar has withstood the test of time. KIND Nuts and Spices Bars contain whole nuts plus a combination of seeds, dried fruit, nut butter. They boast a high fiber profile with less than 5g of sugar per bar. Not only are they easily accessible, the sweet and salty profile makes them extremely satisfying!
Sample Ingredient List: Almonds, peanuts, chicory root fiber, honey, palm kernel oil, sugar, glucose syrup, rice flour, unsweetened chocolate, cocoa powder, sea salt, soy lecithin, natural flavor, cocoa butter
4. Dang Bar
I honestly picked up my first Dang Bar just to try. I’m obsessed with Dang coconut chips so I hoped to like these just as much. While I’m no keto expert, these bars are far less crumbly than the keto-marketed bars I’ve tried in the past. Dang Bars are plant-based, low carb, gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, and paleo/keto friendly. Furthermore, they keep a fairly simple ingredient list without the added junk.
Sample Ingredient List: Almonds, Chicory Root Fiber, Pea Protein, Cocoa Butter, Sunflower Seeds, Pea Protein Crisps (Pea Protein, Rice Flour), Coconut, Natural Flavors, Water, Chia Seeds, Sea Salt, Stevia Extract, Mixed Tocopherols (Vitamin E).
5. Epic Bars
Though not exactly a “classic” nutrition bar, Epic bars make a perfect on-the-go snack. For times when I’ve got a taste for something a little more savory than sweet, Epic Bars make the cut for Top 6 Nutrition Bars. If you’re into a meaty, high protein snack with minimal carbohydrates this is your bar. I can appreciate that they are free of added sugar, gluten-free and paleo/keto friendly!
Sample Ingredient List: Natural chicken, sea salt, red pepper flake, lactic acid, organic chia seeds, garlic, paprika, onion, celery powder, red pepper, back pepper, cumin, oregano.
6. Perfect Bars
Perfect Bars are the perfect bar to use as a meal replacement. While they are not something I would substitute as a snack (as they are a higher calorie bar), they do make excellent on-the-go breakfast in a pinch. These bars come in 12 different flavors that taste great. The bars consist of whole foods ingredients that provide a good macronutrient profile. They require refrigeration, but are safe when left out for up to a week.
Sample Ingredient List: Almond butter, organic honey, organic non-fat dry milk, almond pieces, organic dried whole egg powder, organic rice protein, organic sesame seeds, organic flax-seed oil, organic sunflower seed oil, organic sesame seed oil, organic olive oil, organic pumpkin seed oil, dried whole food powders (organic kale, organic flax-seed, organic rose hip, organic orange, organic lemon, organic papaya, organic tomato, organic apple, organic alfalfa, organic celery, organic kelp, organic dulce, organic carrot, organic spinach).
What would you add to our list of The Top 6 Nutrition Bars 2019? Tag a photo of your favorite nutrition bars with #stephanieleenutrition on Instagram. I’d love to see what you fuel your body with!
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