The Optimum Nutrition Protein Bar helps you get your fiber fix too

There are plenty of flavors to choose from, some with an extra dose of fiber, but the texture may divide opinion.

There are so many protein bars out there on the market, it’s hard to know which ones you should be adding to your snack cupboard. Fortunately, here at MF, we’ve had the chance to sample a wide variety of them. So, we’re in a great position to tell you which bars have the best nutrient qualities, which ones actually taste pleasant, but also which ones don’t. Keep reading to find out which side of the divide the Optimum Nutrition protein bar slots into.

Optimum Nutrition’s range of protein bars has 11 flavors, including three vegan options. Their protein blend is made up of whey protein isolate and calcium caseinate and like most protein bars they contain soy.

Optimum Nutrition Protein Bar benefits

Each flavor hits the magic 20g protein mark, making it a useful post-workout option. It’s a good source of fiber, too, with up to 12g per 60g serving depending on the flavor.

Optimum Nutrition bars are fairly low in sugar, with 2g per serving. It’s the highest amount of any bars on test, although the difference is marginal. They are sweetened with sorbitol, erythritol and sucralose (polyols). Yet they only contain 12g polyols, less than other bars in the category.

Need a plant-based protein fix? These are the best vegan protein bars

How does the Optimum Nutrition protein bar taste?

I tried the chocolate caramel whipped bar, which is covered in milk chocolate with a crisp center and a caramel filling. It’s not chewy like other bars because there’s no collagen hydrolysate in the protein mix.

The taste and texture of protein bars can often be a matter of personal preference. I struggled a bit with the chocolate caramel whipped bar. It tastes very sweet and the crunchy texture is followed by a slight grittiness. It also has a claggy mouth feel which makes it quite hard to enjoy.

However, other varieties such as the Crunch and vegan versions may have a different texture that’s more up your street. On that note, I’ve gone ahead and compiled a shortlist of the best vegan protein bars available, if that’s a dietary requirement you adhere to.

If the texture isn’t an issue for you, you’ll get a decent protein dose as well as a fiber fix with most flavors. However, if that’s make or break for you, or you don’t like overly sweet protein snacks, then you might need to look elsewhere.

What other protein bars are worth considering?

Again, taste is utterly subjective, but I feel it’s only fair that I also tell you about some protein bars which I did enjoy eating. Top of the list is Grenade’s UK best-selling protein bars. These do genuinely taste great (though there are 15 different flavors available, so expect a lot of variance), and have an enjoyable texture to match. Plus, their nutrient content is fantastic too. You get 21g of protein and only 1.4g of sugar. The downside? They do cost notably more than the average protein bar, and they’re relatively high in polyols too.

The Healthspan Elite All Blacks HiLO Protein Bar is another option that I awarded the full five stars. Approved for elite competition (these are used by New Zealand’s All Blacks rugby squad), these bars offer 20g of protein and plenty of fiber too. Plus, the flavors are delicious, though some do leave you with a hanging bitter aftertaste. Nonetheless, they’re a brilliant option, if you’re able to access them through online retailers in your region.

How else can I get my protein fix?

Aside from actual protein-rich meals, there are several different easy-access routes to protein. Bars are one of them of course, but you can also get protein cereals too. Or, if you’d rather get your protein in liquid form, check out the best whey protein powders.

Protein per bar	20g, depending on flavor
Flavors	11 available, including: Chocolate Caramel Whipped, Chocolate Brownie, Peanut & Salted Caramel