How to Choose Vegan Snack/Protein Bars
Amended with new info.
Hey guys!
As yet another follow-up to my pal who’s going vegan for lent, I wanted to do a post on some of the vegan protein bar options out there.
[photo cred]
The following vegan bars were available at my local Whole Foods recently (yes, I totally went in there with a notepad and pen and made them start sweatin’ thinking I was with the Ethics Police over their recent scandal):
If I didn’t note the price, it’s because this doofus forgot to note it. Note to my newbie vegans: A “vegan” protein bar is one that does not contain animal substances. Most protein bars contain some form of dairy (or “whey”), which makes them not vegan. Check out this list of dairy ingredients for more information.
In terms of vegan protein/meal/snack bars, you’ll see that there is quite a variety of options out there — some providing as little as 3g of protein and some as much as 20g. Your choice will depend on a number of factors, obviously. I, for instance, would rarely ever go for a bar with more than 200 calories, but that’s because I don’t eat food bars as a meal replacement or protein supplement – I just eat them as a snack. My favorite brands are Amazing Grass, Honest Foods, Clif, Larabar and Gnu — but that’s only because those are the ones I’ve tried! I was unable to link to the sites in the image above, so I will do so below. You should take time to read the entire nutrition label before you choose a bar to see what best fits your lifestyle. For instance, if you’re all about taste, and you’re particularly picky, you might not like the Amazing Grass bar (I loved it, but I’ve read a few reviewers who didn’t). If you’re looking for extra fiber, Gnu bars are for you.
You don’t have to fork over all your cash for these bars. You can find a lot of them for less at Target, Costco (if you divide the bulk price per item), amazon.com, etc.
It’s good to remember that it’s a total myth that vegans and vegetarians don’t get enough protein. So, don’t think that if you’re going vegan it means you need to wash down every meal with a protein shake and a brick of protein bars. Think of it this way, 2 tablespoons of peanut butter usually has more protein than one of the bars listed above (p.b. has about 8g protein per 2 tbsp.). As Lindsay from Happy Herbivore so kindly reminded me, vegans & vegetarians don’t need to take supplements or eat with a protein scarcity mentality if they are eating a variety of nutritious meals (hey, ya heard of quinoa? It’s a pretty awesome grain that so happens to be a complete protein in and of itself). Though, check with a Dr. yadda yadda – all that legal crap still spews from my finger tips after my 3-year stint at a law firm. In fact, you’re probably better off if you view these snack bars as candy bars. I know some of them, like Larabar, are really good at limiting the ingredients list and some have nothing artificial in them, but, still, think before you consume. That’s kinda the new motto I’m using and *cough*trying to implement.
If you’re looking for a good vegan protein powder, I can’t recommend one from experience, but I’ve heard of Vega and Sun Warrior as being specifically vegan. Lindsay happens to like the Living Harvest hemp protein powder. If you go to any health food store (e.g. Trader Joes & Whole Foods), you’ll see that they have a variety of non-dairy protein powders.
Links to Vegan Snack & Protein Bar Sites
- Amazing Grass
- Bumble Bar
- Clif Builder Bars
- Clif Z
- Gnu Bars
- Honest Foods — Now available at Starbucks, remember? (Posted here)
- Larabar
- Odwalla
- Organic Food Bar
- ProBar
- Pure Bar
- Raw Organic Bar
- Raw Revolution
Do you guys eat protein bars? Snack bars? What are your faves, vegan or not? Protein powder?
Well, my friends, I’m off! Despite the rumor to the contrary, I do sleep and I need some major Zzzs right about now.
<3,
The Cranky One
Tags: amazing grass, bumble bee bars, honest foods, Larabar, larabara, odwalla, organic food bar, probar, protein myth, protein powder, pure bar, raw organic bar, raw revolution, starbucks, vega, vegan protein
7 People have left comments on this post
Thanks for putting together this list of bars! I need to try about half of them.
I have yet to find a vegan protein powder that I really enjoy, so I am interested to see if anyone offers some suggestions.
Vega is 100% vegan and raw — they’re a great company. The founder (vegan triathlete, badass and total hottie Brendan Brazier) has written two books on vegan fitness — Thrive Diet and Thrive Fitness (I can’t recommend them enough!) Thrive Diet has a ton of easy recipes — protein bars, shakes, recovery drinks and they taste AWESOME. Plus they’re either raw or just use a bit of cooked grains and many of them are low in fat and calories — or can easily be adapted to suit your needs. I’ve really liked some Vega products (like Vega Sport) but some other things (like the raw energy bars) could make you wanna vomit — or at least I thought they were gross (but I’m ultra picky!); so it’s a hit or miss.
There’s a bunch of vegan protein powders on the market – hemp, soy, brown rice. Spirulina is a good brand… but youknow, unless you’re a die hard body builder you really don’t NEED to be taking protein supplements… esp. if you’re eating greens, grains and legumes…
excellent post Bella!
I never used protein powder or bars–preferring to get mine from real food–but I do have the occasional bar for a snack. I love Larabars (although they seem to be shrinking) and I love Bumble Bars. While I can’t afford to buy them often and prefer the original flavor, popping the Chocolate Bumble Bar in the microwave for 10 seconds makes it ab-so-lute heaven. Yum.
Ok so I totally dig your writing style. glad I found your blog!
Yeah I eat protein bars although I’ve cut down a lot over the past year. I, too, view them as candy bars since I don’t eat “real candy bars”. Cliff is probably my favorite. I like maple and mint. Once in a while I’ll have a super procressed chemically infused Supreme Protein bar. Usually when I’m cutting for a competition.
While I’m not vegan I have been thinking that I want to reduce my animal protein intake a bit. Going to be reading closely for ideas.
Of all these, my faves are the Cliff Builder Bars (but I’m on a protein-for-the-calories kick). Also I like Premier Nutrition Protein Bars and there’s another one – Pure Protein? I think? – they are really good for getting a big shot of protein for less calories. A lot of those other ones are just like healthier candy bars to me – which is fine – but since I do a bar for breakfast, I need nutrients!!
I am not vegan, but I still LOVE most of these bars. I know the Amazing Grass bars are quite expensive but i don’t care, I LOVE THEM! They are like a Larabar, but better! Great post!
Okay, Gnu bars are definitely low on protein, but they are SO DELICIOUS. Honestly, my favorite are Clif bars (the carrot cake bar you pictured is absolutely in my top 5), and of all the bars listed, I think Gnu bars are the most similar. They’re sticky and sweet, which I LOVE. I would NOT recommend the cherry pie Larabar, as I found it super tart in a really artificial way, but there ARE some great Larabars out there (generally the ones with some kind of nut in the name: cashew cookie, pecan pie, etc).