How hard can it be to find a protein bar?

Hard. Trust me.

An array of protein bars are on the market. (Image: Kathryn Reed)

I like having bars with me when I’m doing something athletic—hike, bike, and even keep them in my tennis bag. I have them as a snack, if I’m hungry while driving, or to avoid eating something “bad” for me. I love to travel with bars. Helps me get enough protein and keeps me full if the available food isn’t something I will eat.

The thing is, I learned the bars I was eating were bad for me. I was eating Nature’s Bakery Fig Bars. They satisfied cravings and whatever needs I had. I finally looked at the contents—a ton of sugar and not much protein.

What I really want is a ton of protein and not much sugar. So, my search began.

What I also realized is I want a plant based protein bar. This really should not have come as a big surprise based on my diet. What I never thought about was whether or not these bars had animal products. Whey protein is the biggie—and one I’ve decided I want to stay away from.

While I’m not a vegan, I seem to keep getting closer. No need for me to eat a bar with an animal product.

So, my criteria on this protein bar search is one high in protein, low in sugar, no animal products, and ideally with as many natural and organic ingredients as possible.

As you start putting in these parameters, the cost goes up. Understandable. It’s good I don’t eat them often. It’s just that I want to always have them at my fingertips if need be.

First bar I tried was Zing. Really, really liked them. The problem is they all had a chocolate coating. This doesn’t work when you live in a hot climate and participate in warm weather sports. They were great to have next to my desk as a snack. They would be good snowshoeing. But they were messy when warm.

Next up was Aloha. They were good. Some had chocolate, but not all of them. I bought a whole box of lemon cashew because I like both of those ingredients, and thought it would be a good summer choice. Good, yes, but I can’t decipher the lemon or the cashew. They are still in the running.

What’s out is Human Food Bar and Bar-U-Eats. The former was a bit cardboard-y.

Of the four Bar-U-Eat bars I was sent, medjool dates was the primary ingredient. Apparently, I still don’t like dates. I couldn’t even get through a whole bar. I gave them to mom.

The best thing about Bar-U-Eat is the packaging is compostable—at least through a commercial operation. Such a thing doesn’t exist near me, so the wrappers will find their way to a landfill.

I tried a bar I bought at Costco. I can’t remember the name and couldn’t find it online. It had a crispy crunch to it—think Rice Crispy bars—and chocolate. It didn’t work for me either.

So, I’m still searching for that perfect bar. Edible and enjoyable are being added to my list of requirements.