A well-balanced diet with enough quality protein is key to a good weight-loss strategy. Protein bars are a great way to make sure you're getting enough protein. But with so many options on the market, it can be difficult to know which one is right for you.
W
e've done the research for you and created a list of some of the best protein bars for women who want to lose weight. Whether you're looking to cut down on calories or need a protein-packed snack to help you recover from a workout, there's something for everyone on this list.
Here are the best protein bars for women who want to lose weight:
- Best overall for women: Tropeaka Protein Energy Bars
- Curb your sweet tooth: Justin’s Dark Chocolate Chip Almond Butter Bar
- Outdoor workouts: CLIF Bars
- Low calorie snacking: Alani Nu Fit Snacks Bars
- Budget-friendly: No Cow Protein Bars
- Breakfast replacement: Protein Coffee Energy Bars
It should be noted that we are of course biased in our view, but we want to highlight in this article why you won’t go wrong with the Tropeaka Protein Energy Bar and why it’s loved by tens of thousands of people around the world.
Let's take an in-depth look at each and compare their ingredients, key features, flavors, affordability, and more so you can find the best protein bar for you.
Tropeaka's protein bars are made with certified organic plant protein and energy-boosting superfoods
Tropeaka Protein Energy Bars: The Best Overall Protein Bars for Women
Tropeaka's protein bars are made with certified organic plant protein and energy-boosting superfoods that will keep you powering through your day! This makes Tropeaka Protein Energy Bars perfect whether you're looking to build and tone lean muscle, lose a few extra pounds, need a snack before or after your workout, or just want an energy boost during the day.
- Made using organic pea protein which is great for those with sensitive stomachs or who want a plant-based option.
- 20g of protein, 5g of fiber, and only 2g of sugar (sweetened with organic maple syrup and free of refined sugar)
- Contain a blend of MCT oil (healthy fats) & BCAAs (essential amino acids) which help to increase performance and digestive enzymes that make them easily digestible and non-bloating
- Naturally dairy, soy, and gluten-free, non-GMO, and free of artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives
- Not as many flavor options as some competitors
Best Feature: Healthy, glowing skin!
Essential vitamins and minerals support collagen production for healthy skin
Price & Rating:
Price (Pricing): $36.85 USD for box of 12 bars ($3.07 per bar)
Rating: 4.8 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (360 reviews)
Recommendation: Best protein bars for weight loss and building muscle.
Best protein bars for women who not only want to live a healthier lifestyle, but want to lose weight, build and tone lean muscle, have healthy skin, and leave them feeling better than before they ate it!
JUSTIN’S Dark Chocolate Chip Almond Butter: The Best Protein Bar to Curb Your Sweet Tooth
Some of us have more of a sweet tooth than others, but when it comes to weight loss, sugary snacks often need to be the first things to go. But that doesn’t mean you have to give up your favorite sweet flavors altogether. Justin’s Dark Chocolate Chip Almond Butter bar is a good way to satisfy your craving without compromising your diet.
Pros:- A good snack size, with 10 grams of protein per bar
- A fudgy, chocolatey texture makes it almost seem like you’re having a dessert
- Gluten-free
- They can be hard to find. They’re sold at Whole Foods, but not many other grocery stores.
This bar has only 5g of sugar, compared to upwards of 20g in a typical candy bar.
Price & Rating:
Since these tend to be hard to find online, pricing is difficult to find without visiting a store that carries them in stock. With only 1 review on the Justin’s website, there isn’t much to go on in terms of customer ratings.
CLIF Energy Protein Bars: The Best Protein Bar for Outdoor Workouts
If you enjoy outdoor workouts and you're incorporating outdoor workouts into your weight loss plan, you need a protein bar that will give you sustained energy without weighing you down. Energy Bars by CLIF Bars are perfect for this.
Pros:- Unlike many protein bars, CLIF bars are not coated in chocolate, so they won't melt or soften in your pocket or backpack!
- Organic ingredients and packed with protein and fiber
- Cookie-related flavors like chocolate chip, crunchy peanut butter, oatmeal raisin walnut, and blueberry crisp
- Ingredients that have a higher lectin count
- Higher carbohydrate and sugar content
CLIF Energy Protein Bars are a good option for those who enjoy HIIT or other cardio-intensive workouts.
Price & Rating:
Price (Pricing): $12.47 USD for box of 12 bars ($1.04 per bar)
Amazon rating: 4.4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5,567 reviews)
Recommendation: Best for outdoor workouts.
The best option for those who enjoy outdoor workouts and need to meet energy needs before or during their workout.
Health Warrior Chia Bars: The Best Protein Bar for Low-Calorie Snacking
If you're like most people, snacking between meals is a difficult habit to break. So a low-calorie snack, when you're trying to lose weight is essential. Health Warrior's Chia Bars are a good option!
Pros:- Health Warrior Chia Bars only have 100 calories, 3 grams of sugar
- Made with superfood ingredients like chia seeds and brown rice protein
- Not as easy to find in stores and may need to be purchased online
- Smaller size should be used as a snack and not suitable for meal replacement
- Seeds can tend to get stuck in your teeth
Best Feature: Ingredients you can understand!
Health Warrior Chia Bars are ideal for those who want an ingredients list they can actually read.
Price & Rating:
Price (Pricing): $17.99 USD for box of 15 bars ($1.49 per bar)
Amazon Rating: 4.2 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (6,041 reviews)
Recommendation:
The best protein bars for those who need a low-calorie snack between meals.
No Cow High Protein Bars: The Best Budget-Friendly Protein Bars on the Market
Not all protein bars are created equal, and just like other healthy foods, some can be expensive. If you’re on a budget, No Cow protein bars are an affordable way to snack healthy.
Pros:- A dozen flavors available that go beyond your typical chocolate and/or peanut butter options
- 20g of protein make this a suitable meal replacement option
- Vegan, gluten-free, and non-GMO
- Many reviewers say that they taste gritty and chalky.
Best Feature: Affordable, with a variety of flavor options
For the amount of protein provided, this is an affordable bar that could be used for a snack or a meal replacement.
Price & Rating:
Price (Pricing): $27 USD for a 12-pack on Amazon ($2.25 per bar)
Amazon Rating: 4.2 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (8,516 reviews)
Recommendation:
The best option for those who need to get their protein on a budget.
Amrita Chocolate Chip Coconut Protein Bars: The Best Protein Bar to Replace Breakfast
Sometimes you just need breakfast on the go. Amrita’s Chocolate Chip Coconut Protein Bars have everything you need to get the day started right.
Pros:- High in fiber, which is a good way to start the day
- Allergy-friendly: they’re gluten-free, peanut-free, and dairy-free
- Vegan
- Added sugars
- Ingredients were recently reformulated, with some reviewers preferring the taste of the previous options
Best Feature: Allergy-friendly breakfast replacement
For those who have food allergies or sensitive digestive tracts, this is a good breakfast option that can be eaten on-the-go.
Price & Rating:
Price (Pricing): $24.64 USD for a 12-pack on Amazon ($2.05 per bar)
Amazon Rating: 4.1 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (256 reviews)
Recommendation:
The best option for those who need to get their protein on a budget.
How to Choose the Best Protein Bar for Women
Now that we've looked at some of the best protein bars for women let's break down what to look for when choosing one.
When it comes to protein bars, there are a few key things you want to keep in mind:
- Ingredients
- Sugar Content
- Calories
- Protein Source
- Fiber Content
Ingredients
The healthiest protein bars are made with whole, natural ingredients. You also want to ensure that there are no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives. When you have weight loss goals, you want to avoid protein bars that are made with high fructose corn syrup as well.
If you plan to use the protein bar as a supplement pre-workout or post-workout, it should contain BCAAs. BCAAs are essential amino acids that help to promote muscle growth and prevent fatigue.
If you have a sensitive stomach, go for plant-based protein bars for weight loss, rather than whey protein bars, which can be hard for some people to digest.
Sugar Content
Make sure that the protein bar you're choosing is low in sugar. The best protein bars will have no more than 5g of sugar per serving.
It is important to look at where the sugar comes from. You want to make sure that the protein bar is sweetened with natural sugars like honey or maple syrup and no added sugar like refined sugars or sugar alcohols. You can still get delicious flavors without added refined sugars.
Calories
When you're searching for protein bars for weight loss, make sure that the bar you're choosing is around 200 calories or less. This will ensure you're getting a balanced snack that will give you the energy you need without being too high in calories. If you are using the protein bar as a meal replacement, you will want it closer to 400 calories.
Protein Source
The best protein bars will be made with a combination of protein sources, such as nuts or plant protein. Plant-based protein is ideal for those with sensitive stomachs, restricted diets, or who want to avoid animal based products.
If you plan to use the protein bar as a snack, it should have around 10g of protein, and if you plan on eating protein bars as a replacement for a meal, it will need to be higher at about 20g of protein.
Fiber Content
Fiber content is important for two reasons. First, fiber helps to keep you feeling fuller longer, which is important when trying to lose weight. Second, fiber helps to regulate digestion and can help to prevent digestive issues like bloating.
Adults need an average of 25g of fiber per day, so you want to make sure that the protein bar you're choosing has at least 3 to 5g of fiber.
Protein Bars for Weight Loss or Weight Gain
These days, there are so many different protein bar options, and not all of them help with weight loss.
You should get 25-30% of your daily calories from protein, or 1–1.2 g/kg of the ideal body weight per day, which is beneficial for weight loss. So if you're eating 2,000 calories daily, you should aim for 50-60 grams of protein.
Meal Replacement vs. Snacking
Protein bars can make a great meal replacement or snack, but it's important to know the difference.
A meal replacement should be higher in calories and have more protein to replace an entire meal. If you’re consuming protein bars as snacks then aim for one which is lower in calories and has less protein.
If you are trying to lose weight, you want to choose a protein bar that will be a good snack without packing in too many calories. You want it to have around 200 calories and 10g of protein.
If you are trying to gain weight, on the other hand, you want to choose a protein bar that will be a good meal replacement. You want it to have around 400 calories and 20g of protein.
Whole Foods and Exercise
Protein bars can help with weight loss by keeping you full, preventing cravings, and increasing energy levels. However, it is important to remember that protein bars are not a miracle weight loss solution and should be used in combination with a healthy diet and exercise.
The best way to lose weight and keep it off is by making sure that you're getting enough protein, eating whole foods, and exercising regularly.
Some whole foods that are high in protein include:
- Organic meat and poultry
- Wild-caught fish and seafood
- Organic eggs
- Nuts and seeds
- Beans, peas, and lentils
- Organic dairy foods
