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This bar was a firm favourite with our group of tasters, many felt it was the best one we tried all day. They enjoyed the contrast of crunchy-chewy textures, nutty flavour and satisfyingly squidgy caramel centre. The white chocolate adds delicious sweetness and there's absolutely no chalky aftertaste, which means this bar feels like a treat, not something you have to force down, like some protein products. Whether you're fuelling up for a workout or beating the afternoon slump, this bar will do the trick.

Amazon (£27.95 for 15)
Muscle Food (£2.50)

While this is technically an energy bar, it's made with soy protein, as well as oats and macadamia nuts. This combination of ingredients, along with the various sugars, mean you'll benefit from a serious and sustained hit of energy that will power you through any endurance workout. Testers thoroughly enjoyed the white chocolate flavour and flapjack-like texture, and felt the bar would easily fit into pockets, running vests and backpacks.

Nutricircle (£25.94 for 12)
Amazon (£26.40 for 12)

If you want a pre- or post- workout snack that's made with all-natural ingredients, you need to try this delicious nutty bar. The flavour is rich, chocolatey and coconutty, meaning this bar scored top marks for taste as well as quality. It might not be as high in protein as some others, but it's a fantastic choice for upping your energy and supporting your body during exercise.

Holland and Barrett (£2.50 for 1)

This bar has a really moreish texture similar to nougat, multiple testers noted that the dark chocolate is a nice change from some of the more sugary protein bar flavours, like birthday cake. It's also a good size, compared to some of the heftier bars we tried, this was perfect for a light snack and won’t sit heavily in your stomach. It also stacks up an impressive amount of fibre, which contributes to feelings of fullness.

Protein Works (£29.99 for 12)
Amazon (£15.99 for 12)

A genuinely great flavour – fans of salted caramel will love this. We enjoyed the soft nougat centre with a layer of salted caramel, topped with chocolate chips. Although these bars have the slight chewy texture common to protein bars, it’s not unpleasant, and the chocolate chips add a pleasing contrast in texture. Vegetarians, take note – these contain beef gelatine.

Grenade (£27 for 12)
Ocado (£10.15 for 4)
Tesco (£2.90 for 1)
Amazon (£30.99 for 12)

With a zesty orange flavour and cookie dough-like appearance, studded with nuts and chocolate chips, this bar feels like a treat. Testers noted that the orange masks the taste of protein well, and while the packaging does look a bit cheap, you do get a decent size bar for the money.

Grenade (£27 for 12)
Amazon (£30.99 for 12)
Tesco (£2.90 for 1)

This Barebells flavour is a winner in our book – a fluffy, slightly chewy bar, studded with caramel-dipped chunks of peanut, covered with a generous white chocolate coating. It’s a good choice if you don’t want any added sugar in your snack, although it does contain sweeteners maltitol and sucralose.

Barebells (£23.99 for 12)
Amazon (£25.61 for 12)
Ocado (£2.70 for 1)

If you're looking for a protein hit without too much sweetness, this could be the bar for you. Our tasters felt that while it still had a pleasant taste of vanilla and cashew nuts, and gave them a decent sugar hit, it wasn't as sweet as some others we tried. They also enjoyed the fudgy centre, gooey caramel and crunchy rice balls – combined these gave the feel of a chocolate bar.

foodspring (£29.41 for 12)

A refreshingly new flavour combination in the world of protein bars. The soft orange caramel and chocolate centre is encased in a layer of milk chocolate and studded with crispy biscuit grains on the outside – in other words it's choc-orange heaven. This bar comes split in two smaller segments, which is great if you're tracking calories, nutrients or don't feel you need the whole bar. The flavour isn't too overpowering, which makes this a good pre- or post-exercise snack.

Amazon (£21.99 for 12)
Sci-Mx (£1.99 for 1)

• Type of sweetener: caramel
• Carbohydrates: 43g (38g sugar)

Double the size and much heavier than any other protein bars we tested, these are ideal as high-energy snacks for runners, cyclists, hikers and anyone exerting themselves. Each package contains two 50g bars, making them great to split up for pre- and post-training.

Based on a traditional Italian recipe (allegedly used to fuel the Roman legions), these are pleasingly reminiscent of panforte. They use all-natural ingredients, including egg whites, rice protein and almonds as the protein source, and mixed candied peels and coconut sugar for sweetness. One note – although natural, these are on the high side for sugar content at 38g per 100g portion, as well as being higher in calories, fat and carbohydrates, so best used to fuel intense exercise rather than as an everyday snack.

Available from:
33Fuel (£21.99 for 5 XXL bars)

This depends on whether you're using protein bars to hit a certain fitness goal or just to keep you full. Eating a protein bar one or two hours before a workout can increase your performance and boost energy levels.

Just be sure to leave plenty of time to digest, otherwise you may suffer from cramps and stomach issues. Alternatively, eating a protein bar 30-60 minutes after a workout can help you refuel and build muscle. If you find you get hungry between meals, pack a protein bar to go.

Dietary supplements such as protein bars should be consumed as part of a healthy, balanced diet, and not used as a substitute for whole food.

Nutritionist Kerry Torrens explains, ‘Protein supplements, such as bars, are highly processed and lack the micronutrients and other beneficial nutrients of whole, natural food. We should all aim to achieve our protein requirements from a well-balanced diet, but for short-term use or in certain circumstances, protein supplementation may be considered.'

Although protein bars may have healthier credentials than a chocolate bar, it's important to remember that they are a concentrated source of energy and can be high in sugar, carbohydrates and fats.

Consider your individual health and fitness goals, your personal dietary requirements and your reason for including protein bars in your diet when deciding which product to buy and how often to eat them.

Discover how to eat a balanced diet and the best protein sources, including options for vegetarians and vegans.

If you're regularly getting enough protein from your diet, adding a supplement might not make a noticeable difference to your health. However, those who are either unable to regularly eat enough protein due to decreased appetite or illness, or who have increased protein needs as a result of high-intensity exercise might benefit from taking a supplement.

Kerry explains, "One example, which is probably not an obvious one, is the elderly. This group often has a greater need for protein, but a lower appetite. Increasing protein intake in a form that is palatable and suits their lowered appetite may be effective in protecting against muscle loss."

"That said, in this group other aspects, such as kidney health and osteoporosis, need to be considered and monitored – it’s worth checking with a GP that protein supplements are safe and suitable for each individual."

Children shouldn’t take protein supplements unless directed by a dietitian. The NHS advises that consuming too much protein in the long term is linked to an increased risk of osteoporosis, and may worsen existing kidney problems.

Some people find protein bars difficult to digest – it’s best to include them gradually into your diet, and see how you get on. Although allergens should be stated on the label, anyone with allergies should be cautious about using a new supplement, as there is an obvious risk of cross-contamination in factories.

Those who are pregnant, breastfeeding or being treated for existing medical conditions should consult their GP before starting new supplements.

Yes. The Department of Health advises adults to avoid consuming more than twice the recommended daily intake of protein (55g for men and 45g for women). Always read the label of any protein supplement carefully, stick to the recommended serving size, and be mindful of other protein sources in your diet. If you’re concerned that you might be consuming too much protein, speak to your GP.

Choosing a suitable protein bar will depend on your personal requirements and goals. For example, if you're looking to gain weight or build muscle, you might want to consider a 'mass-gainer' product that is higher in calories and carbohydrates. Look for a product to fit your dietary requirements and double check allergen labelling on the packet.

When choosing a protein bar, make sure that you buy from a reputable company, ideally based in Europe, as those that are based outside of Europe may not pass the same safety standards as those within. If you’re in any doubt about the safety of a product, speak to your pharmacist or GP.

Taste and texture: is the flavour pleasant? Is the texture palatable?
Type of protein: whey or plant-based? Concentrate, isolate or hydrolysate?
Nutrient profile: how much protein per serving? What about calories, fat, saturated fat, carbohydrates and sugars?
Type of sweetener: does it contain sugars, artificial sweeteners or neither?
Dietary requirements: vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free?
Value for money: how does it compare to others on a cost-per-bar basis?

All bars were taste tested on the same day, with notes made according to the testing criteria. We included 25 samples from a range of manufacturers with differing nutritional information, protein types and price points for this review.

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All health content on goodfood.com is provided for general information only, and should not be treated as a substitute for the medical advice of your own doctor or any other health care professional. If you have any concerns about your general health, you should contact your local health care provider. See our website terms and conditions for more information.

This review was last updated in November 2024. If you have any questions, suggestions for future reviews or spot anything that has changed in price or availability, please get in touch at [email protected].