These protein bombs deliver an explosion of flavor and a decent dose of whey protein.
Probably one of the most recognizable brands for the best protein bars, Grenade Protein Bars feature a protein blend of calcium caseinate, bovine collagen hydrolysate and whey protein isolate and contain soy. But what you need to know is this: there isn’t another bar on the market that I’d rather add to my diet. Here’s why.
Men’s Fitness verdict
There’s a reason why Grenade is the UK’s best selling protein bar. Loaded with 20g protein and just 1.4g sugar, it’s the best-tasting, best textured, least-sickly sweet bar we’ve tested.- Great tasting
- Excellent chewy texture
- Good amount of protein
- Expensive
- A bit sweet
- High in polyols
How we test the best protein bars
Registered nutritionist (AFN) and sports nutritionist (SENr) Rob Hobson only tested chocolate-flavoured bars to provide consistency in his reviews. He judged them on their taste, texture and nutritional effectiveness, as well as cost and availability, and the amount of polyols – a type of sweetener which can upset the gut in high amounts.
Grenade Bar benefits
Each bar’s 20g of protein is a good amount to take care of your post-workout recovery needs and there are more than 15 flavors to choose from, including vegan options. Fortunately there’s a 12-flavor selection box if you can’t make your mind up.
If you’re wondering whether protein bars are healthy, this bar is low in sugar with just 1.4g and sweetened with mannitol (polyol). It contains 15g of polyols, which is relatively high, so stick to just one bar, as it can act as a laxative in higher quantities.
Flavor and texture
The salted caramel flavored bar I tested is milk chocolate covered (some flavors have white chocolate). It’s rich tasting and chewy, though it could be too sweet for some. As you’d expect from a brand like Grenade, you certainly get an explosion for flavor. It has a pleasant mouth feel without any off-putting aftertaste like you can get with other sweetened bars.
Worth noting for professional athletes, Grenade bars are Informed Sport approved, so they’re cleared for use in elite competition.
Still going strong, Grenade Protein Bars are one of the best on test with a great taste, a pleasant chewy texture and all the protein you need to get your recovery fix. They are not plant-based though, so you’ll have to look elsewhere for the best vegan protein bars.
What other protein bars are a worthy rival?
If Grenade bars just simply aren’t for you, there are fortunately some other options which can go toe to toe with the market leader. One such bar is the Healthspan Elite All Blacks HiLO. The name might be a bit of a mouthful, but you’ll be enjoying every bite. Not only does it taste good, but this bar from Healthspan also packs in plenty of fiber as well as the threshold 20g of protein. There is, after all, a reason why professional athletes use these protein bars.
Another strong contender is the Fulfil Vitamin and Protein Bar. As the name suggests, this bar also supplies you with a helpful dose of vitamins and minerals in addition to your 20g of protein. It’s low in polyols too. The only areas in which it falls down are size and texture. Compared to other bars, it is quite small and I found it to be too chewy for my own personal taste.
So, either of those could be worth a try too, but if I were you, I’d test out a Grenade bar first.
| Protein per bar | 21g |
| Flavors | 15, including Salted Caramel; Oreo; Dark Chocolate Mint; Cookie Dough; White Chocolate & more |
| Other notable ingredients | Only 1.4g of sugar, but a relatively high quantity (15g) of polyols |
