In this article, we have reviewed the best protein bar for lunch. If you are in a hurry, the table below gives a quick snapshot of the top ones.
Last update on 2021-10-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Table of Contents
Are you always in a hurry at lunchtime? Too much work at the office to sit down and have a gala meal in the middle of the day? Or maybe your work demands that you get up very early, and therefore have no time to prepare anything for lunch in the morning?
Well, worry, not. We are here to help. Protein bars are usually designed to help you in getting a fit body. But they can be a great way to replace a meal too![1]
Protein Bars For Lunch?
An ideal lunch should be a mix of nutrition and energy. Typically, lunch is that time of the day when you are beginning to lose energy and are struggling to get a bit of a kick. It’s also the time when you don’t want to get a hearty meal because that’s just going to get you sleepy!
Protein bars can provide just the right amount of protein and energy to fuel you for the rest of the day without making the meal too heavy for the body to take in.
Another aspect to consider is this: people don’t just get up one day and start eating protein bars for lunch! Most of them are either trying to build muscle or else lose weight without losing muscle mass. That is why we have divided our chosen bars into two options: ones for weight gain and another set for people who are trying to lose weight.
Let’s check out our recommended bars one by one. I am sure you will get a quick fix for those days when there is simply no time to get lunch in.
Our Top Choice For Weight Gain – MET-Rx Protein Bar
The MET-Rx Big 100 Colossal Protein... is our top choice for Best Protein Bar for Lunch For Weight Gain because of the following reasons:
- Power-packed with 30 grams of high protein.
- The protein bars provide up to 360 calories.
- Includes 19 vitamins, minerals including A, C, E, and zinc.
- Enhance your performance and aids in muscle building.
- No artificial flavors are included
- Delicious, high-protein meal replacement bar.
Our Top Choice For Weight Loss – Rise Pea Protein Bar
The Rise Pea Protein Bar, Sunflower... is our top choice for Best Protein Bar for Lunch For Weight Loss because of the following reasons:
- It is made of real and natural ingredients.
- Contains 15g of pea protein
- Easy to digest with only five ingredients
- Low in calories
- Does not include gluten, soy, and peanuts.
- Low in sugar
- No preservatives and other artificial ingredients
- GMO-free and is a safe option for a healthy meal.
Best Protein Bar For Lunch: For Weight Gain
#1 MET-Rx Protein Bar
MET-Rx Protein Bar is our top choice for the best protein bar for lunch and for maintaining weight. The protein bar is packed with 30 grams of protein. It helps to provide up to 360 calories, which is good to maintain your weight.
Features and Benefits
- Protein: The protein bar is packed with 30g of protein and other vital nutrients. It caters to your fitness needs and helps to build your overall muscles. This protein-rich bar fuels you for the whole day.
- Nutrition. The protein bar contains all the vital nutrients for increasing your body’s strength. It also includes 19 vitamins and minerals, including A, C, E, and zinc, that provide you better energy and keeps your body active and charged for the whole day.
- Healthy: The METAMYOSYN protein blend helps support energy and improve your overall body performance. The colorful and crispy morsel of rice conjures you get the taste and power of cereals and proteins. Moreover, this protein bar does not add any artificial flavors that may cause harm to your body.
Why should you buy it?
This protein bar enables muscle building by providing all vital nutrients. It includes 30 g of protein. So that your body will get strength and energy, with its yummy taste and health benefits, you can add this bar to your daily meal.
- 30 GRAMS OF QUALITY PROTEIN: Big 100 Fruity Cereal Crunch bars by MET-Rx are power-packed with 30 grams of high protein for the kind of energy your body demands. MET-Rx protein bars help you build up energy for your next run, ride, or workout
- POWER ANYTIME, ANYWHERE: MET-Rx Big 100 Fruity Cereal Crunch protein bars are a great tasting way to fuel up pre-workout, post-workout or pop one in your bag for a delicious, high protein meal replacement bar
- MAXIMIZE PERFORMANCE: With 30 grams of quality protein plus 19 vitamins MET-Rx Big 100 Fruity Cereal Crunch Bars are sports nutrition backed by science to enhance performance, muscle building and post-exercise recovery
- CEREAL WITHOUT THE SPOON: The colorful, crispy morsels of rice conjure memories of your favorite childhood cereal and make getting quality protein on the go fun and fruity with no artificial flavors. MET-Rx protein and meal replacement bars bundle energy & taste in a single bar
- NUTRITION + SCIENCE: The product of over 25 years of science, MET-Rx Big 100 protein bars feature our exclusive METAMYOSYN protein blend, combining fast and slow absorbing protein sources to help you reach new levels of performance
Last update on 2021-10-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
You might like to read: Best Protein Bar For Bariatric Patients
#2 Greenbelly Backpacking Meals Food Bars
The protein bar provides dense fuel with a high calorie-to-oz ratio. It includes six core nutrients that are essential for the overall growth of your body muscles.
Features and Benefits
- Calories: The protein bar provides 650 calories and over 5 oz performance. It is rich in high nutrition ingredients like carbs, protein, fiber, sodium, and fat. The two pouches are filled with two big and fluffy meal bars that act as a healthy snack.
- Natural Ingredients: this protein bar is made with all-natural and organic ingredients. It is gluten-free and does not contain any harmful and artificial flavors. The protein bar provides complete nutrition with its six-core nutrients that are essential for your body.
- Taste: the yummy and lightweight protein bar is a delicious lunch option for fitness freaks. The bar is not dense and gives a crisp and yummy texture with full health benefits.
Why should you buy it?
This one protein bar is ideal for all fitness freaks as it is made with six core and natural nutrients that are essential for the overall growth of your body muscles. The protein bar is gluten-free and gives a delicious taste with health benefits.
- READY-TO-EAT MEAL - Yep, go stoveless! No cooking, no dishes, no cleanup. Each pouch is a full meal prepacked with 2 big, fluffy meal bars. Easy, fast, simple and lightweight. Better than cooking a freeze-dried or dehydrated meal.
- 3 X THE NUTRITION OF A “BAR” - Most bars are a 200 calorie snack. Our backpacking meals provide a whopping 650 calories and over 5 oz of performance hiking food for the trail. Complete with high nutrition of your daily value of Calories, Carbs, Protein, Sodium, Fat and Fiber.
- ALL NATURAL AND GLUTEN FREE INGREDIENTS - All natural and real whole food ingredients - nothing funky. Greenbelly Meals are gluten free (mostly vegan) and go down easy on your stomach so you can keep on hiking with ease. Yay for healthy.
- TASTES “LIKE A CEREAL BAR ON STEROIDS” - Formulated by a gourmet culinary chef. Greenbelly Meals are handmade - usually within a week of shipping so you can enjoy a super fresh taste. Not a bland ‘meal ready to eat’, nor a dense, brick-like protein bar. Just yummy ultralight backpacking food with a zip-seal to stay crisp.
- TRAIL GUARANTEE - We make sure our customers are 100% satisfied with our product and service.
Last update on 2021-10-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
#3 SANS PB and J Protein Bar
A healthy snack for adults that is packed with high protein and essential macronutrients. It provides 350 calories and is ideal for those who want to maintain their body weight.
Features and Benefits
- High Protein Snack: The protein bar is packed with essential macronutrients rich in protein, 5g of fiber, and other 16 essential vitamins and minerals. It gives you a balanced diet while improving your overall body muscles.
- Safe: SANS protein bar is a safe choice for your health. It is gluten-free, contains low sugar, and is free from any natural sweeteners or cheap alternatives. So this one is a safe option to eat.
- Healthy Meal: This protein bar ensures a healthy diet rich in nutrients. The nutritional bar is a perfect choice for regular meal replacement. It uses all-natural ingredients to give overall strength to your body.
Why should you buy it?
The protein bar is a safe meal option to include in your diet as it is gluten-free, contains low sugar, and is free from any natural sweeteners or cheap alternatives that can cause harm to your body. Thus, you can trust this protein bar.
- Healthy snacks for adults -- SANS has created an optimally nutritious meal replacement bar without added sugar, artificial sweeteners, dairy, soy, or gluten. Just simple, healthy bars perfect for backpacking meals or meal replacement.
- High protein snacks -- Packed with ideal ratios of essential macronutrients, our PB and J meal replacement bar is a high protein snack, with 5g of fiber, and at least 10% daily value of 16 essential vitamins and minerals.
- Meals with a mission -- SANS is focused on providing genuinely-nutritious and great tasting meal replacement bars, making it easy and affordable for anyone to enjoy high protein snacks.
- Buy meals, give meals -- With every pack of SANS Meal Replacement Bars purchased, we provide a nutritious meal for someone in need. Our current program serves undernourished communities in Haiti.
Last update on 2021-10-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
You might like to read: Best Pre Workout Protein Bars
Best Protein Bars for Lunch: For Weight Loss
#4 Rise Pea Protein Bar
This protein bar is our second choice for the best protein bars for lunch as it helps in losing weight while keeping the tummy full. The protein bar is made with all-natural ingredients and contains only 260 calories. So this lower calories protein bar is right to add to your daily meal if you want to lose weight.
Features and Benefits
- Simple Ingredients: One protein bar that is made of real and natural ingredients. It contains 15g of pea protein and is easier to digest with only five ingredients, the protein bar aids in health benefits in the long run.
- Nothing Artificial: the protein bar is made with all organic and natural ingredients. It is low in calories and does not include gluten, soy, and peanuts. Moreover, it is low in sugar, does not contain any preservatives and other artificial ingredients. The protein bar is GMO-free and is a safe option for a healthy meal.
- Taste: The protein bar is packed with all kinds of delicious flavors. The delightful flavor of nut and butter gives a better and yummy taste. It also includes the lovely flavors of caramel, maple, matcha, smores, or plain sea salt. So the protein bar is healthy and tasty.
Why should you buy it?
If you are looking for one protein bar that keeps you active for the whole day, then you must try this one. The protein bar is low in calories and contains 15g of protein and other essential ingredients that keep you active and regain muscle strength.
- GREAT SOURCE OF PROTEIN- A quality health snack made from whole food ingredients, the Sunflower Cinnamon RiseBar consists of 15g of Pea Protein per bar. We use pure Pea Protein Isolate because it is easier to digest, Paleo friendly, 100% vegan, and still contributes towards a high protein diet. Rise keeps to the basics with delicious flavors like caramel, maple, matcha, smores, or plain sea salt.
- ENHANCE YOUR HEALTHY LIFESTYLE- With only 5 ingredients in the Sunflower Cinnamon protein bar,we create a nutritionally-enhanced food that provides health benefits beyond basic nutrition. It’s no surprise that the lack of unnecessary ingredients helps preserve health in the long run. Whether you are active and athletic or just looking for a real nutritious surprise, this bar is one incredible non-GMO product.
- HANDMADE TO PERFECTION- Artisanally crafted, every Rise Protein Bar is hand-mixed and packed in small batches daily in our very own California kitchen. Our all-natural, gourmet quality ingredients create slight differences between bars so each bite is a new, delicious experience. You can keep your heart healthy by finding balance in your life with your cravings, instead of going to the bakery and buying brownies, cake, or bread packed with calories - try a lean alternative.
- ENJOY IN ANY SETTING-Each of our bars has 5 ingredients or less, which allows it to be less processed and a more natural combination than competitors. This high protein bar is ideal for a pre-workout energy boost, post workout performance recovery, afternoon snack, or a meal replacement when you're on the go. This simple small size bar is complete creamy perfection! Eat it solo or with a healthy shake, smoothie or cup of coffee!
- ALL NATURAL INGREDIENTS YOU CAN TRUST- Our bars make a very well balanced macro snack of high protein, natural fats, and clean carbs. Rise bars only include the essential real food ingredients you need, no junk or cheap fillers that have a negative impact on nutrition. Great replacement for cereal, and granola. What we strive to do is to help create a clean diet by providing an alternate choice and epic flavor.
Last update on 2021-10-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
#5 Big Spoon Roaster Butter Bars
The nut butter bars are ideal for those looking for low-calorie protein bars, including only 250 calories. The bars are packed with natural pea protein and other vital ingredients for building your body muscles.
Features and Benefits
- High Protein Bar: This protein bar is packed with natural pea protein. It uses all the natural ingredients, is rich in antioxidants and dietary fibers to give you a complete package of a healthy meal.
- Junk Free: the gluten-free and low-calorie protein bars are a good source of energy. They are free from soy, dairy, processed sugar, palm oil, corn syrup, and hydrogenated oils. These low carb protein bars are good for losing weight and achieving your fitness goals.
- Taste: the nut butter bars use a hearty mix of peanuts, pecan butter, with a topping of tart cherries, whole grain, dark chocolate, and toasted pecans. Moreover, they combine soft bites with creamy, crunchy whole nuts and grains.
Why should you buy it?
The low-calorie protein bars are an ideal choice for getting body strength. This protein bar uses all the natural ingredients, is rich in antioxidants and dietary fibers to give you a complete package of a healthy meal for your body.
- DECADENTLY FLAVORFUL: Try our Nut Butter Bars once & you’ll know what we mean; Nuanced, carefully perfected flavor profiles; These protein bars combine the soft, buttery bite with rich, crunchy whole nuts & grains
- PECAN POWER: Big Spoon Roasters Cherry Pecan Nut Butter Bars use a hearty mix of peanut & pecan butters, made even better with a topping of tart cherries, whole grains, dark chocolate & toasted pecans; A healthier, tastier granola bar alternative
- HANDCRAFTED IN NORTH CAROLINA: Every batch of our Nut Butter Bars is handcrafted to order from the scratch; Small batch production for the highest quality; Premium, responsibly sourced, all-natural ingredients; Low carb protein bars
- LOW GI, ENDURANCE ENERGY: Unlike ordinary lean protein bars or high protein bars, you can enjoy these nut butter bars through the day & even on the go; Long-lasting endurance energy to power your workout sessions & accelerate recovery
- 100% JUNK FREE: Gluten-free protein bars; Free of soy, dairy, processed sugars, palm oil, corn syrup, hydrogenated oils; Get the best blend of flavor, energy & nutrition with Big Spoon Roasters Nut Butter Bars; Click ‘Add to Cart’ & order today
Last update on 2021-10-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
You might like to read: Best Protein Bar For Weight Gain
#6 Thunderbird Real Food Bars
The real food bars are made from natural ingredients with no added sugar, low in calories, and artificial flavors. The rich-tasting bars are gluten-free and are a perfect snack choice for fitness freaks.
Features and Benefits
- Natural Protein: The natural protein bars are made of natural and organic ingredients. It includes fruits, nuts, seeds, spices, and other natural ingredients that your body needs. These protein bars are good to add to your daily meal.
- Vegan: The rich-tasting vegan bars are gluten-free with zero sugar and no added flavors. Moreover, they are paleo certified, and non-GMO project verified, and are entirely vegan.
- Nutrition: The protein bars are good in taste and are easy to digest. It contains all the nutritional elements you need in your daily meal. The dried fruits add natural sweetness with zero added sugar. The crunch and taste of chocolate give an incredible flavor.
Why should you buy it?
Fitness freaks can rely on this protein bar for daily protein needs. The bar is made of all-natural ingredients and is free from gluten, sugar, and other harmful flavors. So you can add them to your daily meal to get better health benefits.
- INDULGE AND ELEVATE - Thunderbird bars are the fruit-forward, nutrition-rich snack bar that's gluten free, paleo, and vegan, but you wouldn't know it by tasting. Bars are made from real ingredients like dates, nuts, chia seeds, and chocolate covered fruit, and more. Our bars are the perfect way to fuel active lifestyles with the satisfaction of something sweet.
- VEGAN AND PALEO BARS – Our rich tasting bars are also Paleo Certified, Gluten Free Certified, Non-GMO Project verified, Kosher, completely Vegan, and 100% filling so it makes for a great coffee bar to have with your drink in the morning or as a paleo diet bar.
- ALL NATURAL, REAL FOOD BARS – Simple blends of whole fruits, nuts, seeds and spice that are minimally processed and as close to their natural state as possible. Our snack bars only contain wholesome ingredients that you can pronounce which is what makes our paleo thin protein bar a great source of nutrients!
- LESS IS MORE – Our dried fruits add all the natural sweetness needed with zero added sugar (real or artificial), agave, syrup or honey. Dairy free, soy free, and grain free make these nutritional bars easy to digest whether you are working hard or playing hard. Use them as a boost in the morning as breakfast bars when you're on the go!
- BY ATHLETES, FOR EVERYONE - Founded and crafted in Austin, TX by endurance athletes who wanted real food for pure energy but made for anyone looking for a great tasting and truly healthy alternative to “energy” bars. Our paleo protein bars work great to fuel your hiking, biking, trail running, or outdoor activities. A must have to anyone's vegan snack box collection!
Last update on 2021-10-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
You might like to read: Best Protein Bar For Lean Muscles
Buyer’s Guide: Best Protein Bar for Lunch
Protein bars are a trusted healthy snack for those who want to lose weight and also for those who wish to have more calories in their meal. Protein bars can help you in achieving your health goals. You can add these protein bars to your breakfast, lunch, or dinner. However, there are numerous protein bars on the market. But before buying the best protein bars for lunch, you need to consider certain factors.
Protein
While buying a protein bar, you need to make sure that they have the right amount of protein for you. which bar you want in terms of protein content depends upon your protein intake and body needs. There are individual bars that contain 20 to 25 grams of proteins. The rich in protein bars are good to add to your breakfast or lunch meals.
Calorie Content
When selecting a protein bar, you need to consider the calorie content. Those who want to lose weight must look for weight with low-calorie content. If you are using a bar as a snack, a great choice would be that bar, which contains 140-200 calories per bar for women and 170-300 calories per bar for men.
Additives
Few protein bars contain GMO’s and other added flavors and compounds which are not suitable for your body. These additives are harmful to your body. It would help if you chose those protein bars that have no added flavors. Moreover, they must be GMO-free. Bars are useful as they include all the natural ingredients which are suitable for your body and health.
Gluten-Free
These days gluten-free protein bars are highly preferable as they are suitable for health. These bars are ideal for those who want to lose weight. Moreover, they give a boost to your immune system. The excellent protein bars contain fibers, minerals, and essential vitamins that help you get long-lasting energy and freshness.
Frequently Asked Questions: Best Protein Bar for Lunch
When should you eat protein bars?
If you are a fitness freak or you go to the gym regularly, then it’s best to take your protein bar within two hours after exercise. Sometimes, you may need a little bit of protein before activities, too, as a part of your pre-workout meal. However, you can add protein bars as a part of your lunch meals.
Do protein bars make you gain weight?
Yes, protein bars do help you to gain weight. There are specific protein bars that are calories dense, which means they have a significant number of calories. These protein bars are suitable for those who want to gain weight. The bars include a substantial number of calories in just one serving. So making it easy for you to add calories to your daily meal. Without the need to add a lot of extra food.
Can a high protein intake cause stomach problems?
Research tells us that eating more than 2 g per kg of bodyweight of daily protein is not good. In the long run, it may upset your immune system. Moreover, it can also cause other health problems. Symptoms include stomach pain, intestinal discomfort, and indigestion. So you must take protein in the required quantity.
Can I eat a protein bar before bed?
Most of the studies show that you can eat an ample amount of protein before bed. You can take full advantage of the spike in growth hormone and maximize muscle gain; this happens when you provide the amino acids needed for body repair and growth. So the intake of protein bars before bed is not a bad option.
Conclusion
If you want to skip your lunch and eat something healthy to keep the tummy full, you can eat a protein bar. It will not only keep your tummy full but also provide necessary nutrients. While skipping lunch entirely is never a good idea, if the situation demands then it can be done on occasion. Even then, you should be careful to choose the right stuff.
In our opinion, the MET-Rx Big 100 Colossal Protein... is the best choice for weight gain among the various options that we have considered because the protein bar is packed with 30 grams of protein. It helps to provide up to 360 calories, which is good to increase your weight.
The Rise Pea Protein Bar, Sunflower... is our top choice if you want to lose weight because this protein bar is made with all-natural ingredients and contains only 260 calories. So this low-calorie protein bar is right to add to your daily meal if you want to lose weight.
If you are looking for a value for money option, you can also consider the Big Spoon Roasters Cherry Chocolate... , which offers great value and features at a very reasonable price point.
Other articles of interest:
- Best Protein Bars for Seniors
- Best Protein Bar For Low Carb Diet
- Best Protein Bar For Athletes
- Best Protein Bar For Keto
- Best Protein Shake Blender
References:
[1] Weight management using a meal replacement strategy in type 2 diabetes
