Ingredient Quality
Flavor is complex, and people experience it in unique and individual ways, so it’s impossible to find a protein bar that literally everyone likes. However, one excellent indicator of good flavor is ingredient quality. Look for a snack that uses a short list of high-quality, well-sourced ingredients, and you’re well on your way to finding the right bar for you.Â
It’s also helpful to avoid ingredients that are common allergens or irritants, such as soy, wheat, eggs, and rice. If you want to stay away from cane sugar, corn syrup, or sugar alcohols, look instead for snacks with natural sweeteners that aren’t as high in carbs. Monk fruit, stevia, and allulose are all good options.Â
When inspecting the ingredient list, keep an eye out for superfoods and other ingredients with high nutritional values, such as flax seeds, dried fruits, chia seeds, and various nuts. These foods help keep you fueled and energetic, and they also provide a variety of micronutrients that impact your health even if they don’t show up on the label. Â
Variety
If you eat anything too often, it’s bound to become less exciting, more mundane, and eventually even unappetizing. As the saying goes, variety is the spice of life. Look for a brand that has an array of flavor options to choose from. You can determine which flavor is your favorite and buy it in bulk. Then, when you need to switch it up, you know that your preferred brand has many other flavors you haven’t tried yet. Switching like this can be refreshing and keep your routine from getting too boring, plus it means that eventually you get to switch back to your favorite flavor and experience it again as if for the first time.
Texture
Texture can make or break a snack, especially for people who are more sensitive to certain types of texture than others. Biting into a chalky, grainy, or even sticky protein bar can make the taste buds feel dull. A high-quality protein bar should taste crispy from the first bite until the last. Each airy bite can help the flavors shine through, giving taste buds exactly what they asked for.Â