Protein Bars For Weight Loss: 7 Options For Snacks or Meal Replacements

Protein bars for weight loss will help you feel full for longer, will aid in calorie burning, and help you maintain lean muscle.

You probably already know that getting plenty of protein is a crucial part of effective weight loss. Studies show that protein also enhances fat loss during periods of calorie restriction.

Because of protein’s benefits for healthy weight management, you might be wondering which are the best protein bars for weight loss.

All products are not created equal! Some are loaded with added sugar and numerous other additives.

Knowing which protein bars to choose and how to use them for weight loss helps you achieve the slim body you desire in no time!

Find out how much protein you need each day, depending on your goals.

How to Use Protein Bars for Weight Loss

You can use protein bars for weight loss in a variety of ways. Eat them as meal replacements when you’re on the go, or use them between meals as snacks.

Protein bars also work well as post-workout nourishment when you want to build or maintain lean muscle.

If weight loss is your goal, aim to eat about 1,200-1,500 calories daily (up to 1,800 calories per day if you’re very active).

Consider protein bars that work well with your weight loss meal plan.

Choose bars containing 150-250 calories as snacks or 250-300 calories for meal replacements.

To achieve the best fat-burning results, look for products containing:

• At least 10 grams of protein
• 3 or more grams of fiber
• 5 grams of sugar or less
• Higher quality protein like whey/vegan-pea based (not soy)
• Natural sweeteners such as stevia, monk fruit, and/or erythritol — avoid artificial sweeteners such as Sucralose
• Minimal added sugars
• No hidden sugars labeled as honey, agave syrup, brown rice syrup, and/or corn syrup
• No food colorings or artificial dyes

Be sure to stick within your total daily calorie allotment, and complete fat-burning exercises to achieve optimal results.

Which Protein Bars Are Best for Weight Loss?

The list below includes some of the best protein bars for weight loss because they are loaded with protein, packed with fiber, and are much lower in sugar than many other products.

One Bars

One Bars are made of milk and whey proteins and are gluten-free. They are perfect as snacks or meal replacements to get excess weight off quickly. The nutrition breakdown of the Almond Bliss One Bar is:

• Calories: 230
• Protein: 20 grams
• Carbohydrates: 22 grams
• Fiber: 8 grams
• Fat: 9 grams
• Sugar: 1 gram

Other ingredients include vegetable fiber, peanuts, peanut butter, almond butter, and palm kernel oil. In addition to the almond bliss flavor, One Bars are available in peanut butter, cookie dough, and dark chocolate flavors, so you’re sure to find one you love!

Quest Protein Bars

Quest bars are made of whey protein and are available in a variety of delicious flavors. The nutrition breakdown of the cookie dough flavor Quest bar is as follows:

• Calories: 200
• Protein: 21 grams
• Carbohydrates: 21 grams
• Fiber: 14 grams
• Fat: 9 grams
• Sugar: 1 gram

Other ingredients include corn fiber, almonds, unsweetened chocolate, and cocoa butter. Strawberry Cheesecake, Mocha Chocolate Chip, Double Chocolate Chunk, Chocolate Peanut Butter, Coconut Cashew, Peanut Butter Brownie Smash, Maple Waffle, Cinnamon Roll, Chocolate Hazelnut, Chocolate Sprinkled Doughnut, and other flavors are available with similar nutrition content. Try a Quest bar after your next fat-burning workout to maintain or build muscle.

Atlas Protein Bars

Atlas protein bars are an excellent choice when weight loss and getting shredded are your goals. These bars are gluten-free, soy-free, keto-friendly, non-GMO, and contain whey protein from grass-fed cows. The nutritional profile of the vanilla almond flavor Atlas bar includes:

• Calories: 220
• Protein: 16 grams
• Carbohydrates: 23 grams
• Fiber: 13 grams
• Fat: 11 grams
• Sugar: 3 grams

In addition to whey protein, other ingredients include almond butter, tapioca fiber, vanilla, monk fruit, and cinnamon. Flavorful Atlast bars make excellent meal replacements for weight loss when you're on the go.

Atkins Protein Bars

Protein-rich Atkins protein bars were created for lower-carb diets and are excellent additions to weight loss plans for women. These bars contain blends of whey and soy proteins. The nutritional breakdown for the vanilla pecan flavor Atkins bar is:

• Calories: 200
• Protein: 16 grams
• Carbohydrates: 17 grams
• Fiber: 11 grams
• Fat: 10 grams
• Sugar: 1 gram

Other ingredients include corn fiber, pecans, almond butter, coconut oil, and sunflower oil. Atkins protein bars are available in various other flavors, such as almond coconut, blueberry Greek yogurt, cookies n’ crème, and numerous others.

RX Bars

RX Bars are made from 100% food, so there's no artificial taste, and every bar comes with egg whites for protein. The downside is lower protein/fiber and a bar sweetened with fruit (dates) so there are higher amounts of sugar. Though the spikes are muted a bit due to the protein and healthy fat content. The nutritional breakdown for the Coconut Chocolate bar is:

• Calories: 210
• Protein: 12 grams
• Carbohydrates: 23 grams
• Fiber: 5 grams
• Fat: 9 grams
• Sugar: 13 gram

Epic Bars

Epic Bars are made from 100% meat (venison, beef, salmon, bacon, etc.) While they don't have as much protein as some of these other bars, you'll be avoiding anything artificial. The nutritional breakdown for the Venison Sea Salt & Pepper bar is:

• Calories: 130
• Protein: 12 grams
• Carbohydrates: 1 gram
• Fiber: 1 gram
• Fat: 9 grams
• Sugar: 0 grams

No Cow Bars

No Cow Bars are full of protein and true fiber, with minimal sugar. Plus, they use healthier sugar alternatives such as stevia, monk fruit, and/or sugar alcohols like erythritol. And, these bars are vegan-based. The nutritional breakdown for the Chunky Peanut Butter bar is:

• Calories: 190
• Protein: 21 grams
• Carbohydrates: 26 grams
• Fiber: 17 grams
• Fat: 4 grams
• Sugar: 1 gram

Additional Weight Loss Recommendations

Decreasing your total calorie intake (and increasing energy expenditure) is important for effectively dropping weight and body fat. Following a few simple tips will help you reach your goal weight in no time!

Space Out Meals Properly

Space out your meals and snacks to get and stay lean. Eat every few hours or so, and create a custom meal plan that best matches your individual needs.

An example might include:

• Breakfast: 300-350 calories
• Snack: 150-250 calories
• Lunch: 300-350 calories
• Snack: 150-250 calories
• Dinner: 300-350 calories

Everybody is different and there’s no one-size-fits-all diet plan for women. Finding the right plan for you is the key to success! Aim to drop about 1-2 pounds weekly during weight loss.

Increase Water Intake

Drink water all throughout the day, especially before meals, to make dropping weight easier. Aim for at least 12 cups of fluid daily and drink 2 cups of water before meals to boost satiety and control calories. Black coffee and unsweetened tea count toward your daily fluid requirement, but avoid sugary drinks at all costs.

Boost Protein, Fiber, and Non-Starchy Vegetables

Protein and fiber are two nutrients that enhance weight loss because they boost satiety without the extra calories.

Non-starchy vegetables, such as greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, mushrooms, bell peppers, asparagus, broccoli, celery, and zucchini, are high in water and fiber content but low in calories. Aim to fill half of each plate with these non-starchy veggies.

Fill the other half of your plate with protein foods, such as lean chicken, fish, seafood, eggs, or tofu, plus fiber-rich starches (whole grains, corn, peas, lentils, beans, other legumes, sweet potatoes, etc.).

Increase Sleep

Get lots of sleep to help control your appetite, as studies show sleep deprivation is linked with higher body weights. Aim to get 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night by sleeping in a cool dark room, setting a regular sleep schedule, and not going to bed hungry or very full. Avoid late-night workouts and drinking caffeine late in the day.

Move More

Burning more calories throughout the day involves more than simply working out. Aim to get at least 30-60 minutes of exercise daily if you can, and move more during the rest of the day too. For example, you can increase house cleaning chores, use a standing desk at work, walk your dog more often, or take short stair-climbing breaks when you're working or at home with the kids.

Join the Fit Mother Project!

Studies show that joining an organized weight loss program that offers social support and dietary modification boosts your chance of adherence to the program and weight loss success.

The FM30X is a weight loss plan designed for busy women with proven success. The program, along with the men's version, FF30X, has helped thousands of people shed pounds and maintain healthy weights for life.

FM30X offers:

• Coaching support from health experts
• Custom meal plans and menus
• Fat-burning workouts
• Recipes
• Weekly newsletters
• And more!

Give it a try today by signing up for the free Fit Mom Jumpstart and watch the weight melt off!

*Please know that weight loss results & health changes/improvements vary from individual to individual; you may not achieve similar results. Always consult with your doctor before making health decisions. This is not medical advice – simply very well-researched info on protein bars for weight loss.