Eating a protein bar before a workout can help you perform better and recover faster, but you must select the correct food that will give you energy rather than slow you down. Pre-workout protein bars have a greater carbohydrate content and some even contain extra calories to keep you going during a long workout. Here are some of the best pre-workout protein bars to keep you energized during your workouts.
What is the Best Pre Workout Protein Bar?
We have compiled for you the top 3 Best Pre Workout Protein Bar in 2024. In this article we go through the products that we have used ourselves, checked what other users thought about them and we ranked them accordingly.
With years of experience with protein bars before workout and having used several pre workout protein bars you can trust our review.
Moreover, you can scroll to the end of this review to see our mini buying guide as well as the answers to some of the frequently asked questions about pre workout protein bars.
1. 88 Acres Oat and Seed Granola Snack Bar
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| Price: 💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Bars in a Pack: 12 Protein Content: 6 grams Gluten-Free: Yes Nuts-Free: Yes Vegan: Yes Calories per Bar: 200 |
This pack of 12 granola snack bars from 88 Acres is an excellent treat to share with your friends and family. These granola bars are composed of a trademark seed mixture of organic sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, and flax seeds, and are created using basic, healthful ingredients you’d find in your own home. Despite the fact that they are low in protein, they are high in other minerals including iron and calcium, as well as dietary fiber. These snack bars are free of common food allergens including gluten, nuts, and dairy, making them an allergen-free snack option.
Pros
- Nut-free bars suitable for individuals with food allergies,
- Can be added to your vegan diet,
- Do not contain gluten
Cons
- The snack bars may be tough to chew,
- Contain sea salt which may make the snack bars taste a little too salty
2. Enjoy Life Foods Chewy Bars
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| Price: 💲💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 0.88 pounds (0.4 kg) Bars in a Pack: 30 Protein Content: 2 grams Gluten-Free: Yes Nuts-Free: Yes Calories per Bar: 140 |
Each Enjoy Life Foods chewy bar is free of 14 major food allergens and is baked with all-natural ingredients in a specialized nut-free and gluten-free facility. These certified gluten-free snack bars features a unique combination of gluten-free flours that provides a soft, chewy texture. These allergy-friendly snacks are also Non-GMO Project verified and cholesterol-free. Enjoy Life Foods bars are however low in protein content and contain added sugars. They also contain minerals such as iron and calcium, which have several health benefits.
Pros
- Free from 14 major food allergens,
- Has a soft chewy texture that lets you enjoy every bite,
- Also provides you with some essential minerals and vitamins,
- Non-GMO project verified
Cons
- Low protein content,
- Includes added sugars
3. 88 Acres Granola Bars
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| Price: 💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Bars in a Pack: 6 Protein Content: 6 grams Gluten-Free: Yes Nuts-Free: Yes Vegan: Yes Calories per Bar: 200 |
This 88 Acres 6-pack of granola snack bars is a great addition to your lunch pack, and can also be taken on-the-go. These granola bars are made with simple, healthy ingredients that include plant-based seed proteins which make them suitable for athletes and vegans alike. They are abundant in other minerals such as iron and calcium, as well as dietary fiber, despite their low protein content. These snack bars are allergen-free because they are devoid of common food allergies including gluten, nuts, and dairy. This variety pack has all of your favorite 88 Acre granola bars in one convenient package.
Pros
- Do not contain nuts,
- Can make a good workout snack,
- This granola bars can spice up your vegetarian diet,
- They are also gluten-free
Cons
- May contain a much denser quantity of seed that some may not enjoy
Verdict
To summarize, we have gone through dozens of pre workout protein bars and decided that 3 are worth your consideration. Out of these, the absolute Best Pre Workout Protein Bar is 88 Acres Oat and Seed Granola Snack Bar which we highly recommend as our overall best.
If money is not an issue, you can consider Enjoy Life Foods Chewy Bars as this is our Premium Pick.
Otherwise, there’s no shame in spending prudently, 88 Acres Granola Bars is the Budget Option.
Our other reviews you may find useful in your research:
What You Should Know Before Buying pre workout protein bars
Allergens
Protein bars are a really good option as a snack and for fulfilling your protein needs. However, most of the protein bars contain one or more common allergens like gluten, fish, peanuts, milk, soy protein, eggs, and nuts. If you are allergic to any one of these options or you are a vegan, then be careful to research and look at the ingredients of the protein bar before buying any.
Fiber content
Fiber is one of the essential components of your protein bar. Fibers help in lowering cholesterol, controlling sugar levels, and helps to maintain bowel health. Aim for a protein bar with 6- 15 grams of dietary fiber. Make sure that you are not exceeding your daily fiber intake because some bars are high in fiber and constant overconsumption of them can cause bowel problems and bloating. Protein bars contain a varied amount of fiber ranging from 6gram to even 20 grams. Choose a protein bar according to your nutritional requirements.
Flavours
Protein bars come in flavors such as dark chocolate, cookie dough caramel, mint, apple pie and more. You can choose a flavor of protein bars by your taste preference. However, there are some with a lot of artificial flavouring or sweetener, which could make it more unhealthy.
Cost per bar
Protein bars come in various level of quality and range, and their price depends heavily on the ingredients. Some bars are designed specially for diabetic people while others are power bars designed for athletes. Their prices vary depending on their flavor and ingredients but most of the protein bars can cost between $1- $8 per bar.
Questions and Answers About pre workout protein bars
How soon before a workout should I eat a protein bar?
There is no hard and fast rule for protein intake. Pre-workout protein bars give you energy and essential amino acids for your body and muscles. As we don’t want to feel heavy before a workout so we can eat a protein bar almost 30-60 mins before the workout. The intake of protein bars entirely depends on body needs and may vary from person to person but as we don’t want to feel heavy and bloated before a workout.
Can I eat protein bar without working out?
Yes, even if you don’t work out daily, you can still take a protein bar as a snack. A protein bar contains carbs, fibers, protein of coz and many essential nutrients such as vitamins and minerals. But remember; moderation is the key. Anything taken in excess can cause harm to the body. So make sure that you are taking a moderate amount of protein bars. 1 a day is a balance quantity.
What difference does the type of protein make?
Amino acids are building blocks of proteins. And proteins are building blocks of our muscles. All amino acids come from vegetable sources and animal sources. Animal sources are considered ideal sources of protein because they provide all amino acids needed for the body also known as complete proteins. Plants lack some of the amino acids necessary for the body so are incomplete proteins. We intake proteins from animals and plants. Our body digests them into simple amino acids which are then used for building muscles. Make sure to add animal sources in diet so you don’t lack essential amino acids.
Is it OK to eat 2 protein bars a day?
It depends on how active is your lifestyle, your body requirements, and your body type. Normally it is acceptable and good to eat one or two bars a day if the bars are rich in nutrition, have natural content and have minimal sugar. But take into consideration that excess of anything can be dangerous. Excessive protein intake can cause several anomalies in the body such as headache, nausea and intestinal discomfort, etc
