12 Best Protein Bars WITHOUT Sugar Alcohols, Per Nutrition Coach

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If you’re like me, the sugar alcohols that companies add to protein bars may cause you digestive issues.   

The good news is that many protein bars on the market do not contain sugar alcohols, and I’ve spent hours researching and consulting with Registered Dieticians to find the best ones. 

A critical aspect of the research process was identifying commonly used sugar alcohols in protein bars.  

Glycerol (also appears as glycerin or glycerine) is a sugar alcohol that is an ingredient in protein bars, even when the label states 0g sugar alcohol.  

Many online reviews mistakenly include protein bars with glycerin in their lists of protein bars without sugar alcohols, but our list does not.

In A Hurry? Here’s Our Top Pick

• The meat-based EPIC Protein Bar—Chicken Sriracha—is the best protein bar without sugar alcohols. It contains no sweeteners and provides 13g of protein per bar with only 120 calories. These bars are also paleo, keto, and Whole30-friendly.

• Looking for a non-meat alternative? The Odyssey Protein Bar in Mint Chocolate Brownie packs 16 grams of protein and 8 grams of fiber. This bar uses natural sweeteners like organic dates and stevia. 

How We Decided Which Protein Bars To Include? 

With so many protein bars on the market, we made sure to stick to the following criteria when curating our list.

No Sugar Alcohols

The most obvious requirement was no sugar alcohol on the ingredient label. 

The majority of the bars on this list use natural sweeteners such as honey, stevia, dates, and agave syrup. 

A few of the bars use actual sugar or coconut sugar, as well as artificial sweeteners like sucralose.

2:1 Carb to Protein Ratio

There are many bars on the market that do not contain sugar alcohols, but many of these bars have a lower percentage of protein compared to carbs and fat. 

To be considered a “protein bar”, we made sure that every bar on the list had at least a 2:1 carb-to-protein ratio.

Best Protein Bars Without Sugar Alcohols: 10 Options

• Best Overall Bar: EPIC Chicken Sriracha Protein Bars

• Best Gut Health Bar: Odyssey Protein Bar Mint Chocolate Brownie

• Best “Clean” Bar: Rise Whey Protein Bars – Almond Honey

• Best Low-Sugar Bar: IQBAR Brain and Body Keto Protein Bars – Chocolate Sea Salt

• Best Low-Fat Bar: NuGo Protein Bar – Vanilla Yogurt

• Best Bar for Weight Gain: Power Crunch Whey Protein Bar – French Vanilla Creme

• Best Whole Foods Bar: RxBar Chocolate Sea Salt

• Best Texture Bar: RxBar Layers Chocolate Almond

• Best Paleo Bar: Caveman Foods Chocolate Almond Butter Protein Bar

• Best Energy Bar: Kind Protein Bar – Crunchy Peanut Butter

• Best Vegan Bar: Zing Bars Plant-Based Protein Bar – Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter

• Best Dessert Bar: Outright Protein Bar- Birthday Cake

1. EPIC Chicken Sriracha Protein Bars: Best Overall Bar

This is the best protein bar without sugar alcohols because it provides the most protein per calorie (43%).  

It contains no sweeteners and is very low in carbohydrates, making it keto-friendly and compatible with Whole30.

This bar also has the lowest number of calories, which means that I would recommend it as one of the best bars for weight loss goals.  

The lack of sweeteners also means that it is less likely to lead to additional sugar cravings, which can happen when eating one sweet thing causes you to crave even more.

What Customers Have Said

The majority of customers love the Epic Chicken Sriracha Bar for its savory flavor and the fact that it does not have the notorious “fake sweet” taste that many protein bars have. However, some customers were not fans of the salty flavor.

“The texture was good, the flavor was good, the price was right…They are a little spicy, so if you don’t like spicy food, these may not be for you.”

-Laura Roach

Features

• Sweetened with: Nothing
• Protein Ratio: 43%
• Protein: 13g
• Calories: 120 calories
• Sugar: 0g (0g added)
• Fat: 6g
• Fiber: 2g
• Sodium: 870mg

Pros

• High in protein
• Low in calories and carbohydrates
• Compatible with paleo, keto and Whole30 

Cons

• Not everyone likes the taste and texture of meat-based bars
• Not suitable for vegetarians
• High in sodium

2. Odyssey Protein Bar-Mint Chocolate Brownie: Best Gut Health Bar

The Odyssey Protein Bar comes in at 30% of its calories from protein. 

This flavor of Odyssey Protein Bar uses grass-fed whey protein, but you can also choose different flavors in a plant-based option if you want a vegan option.

This bar contains only organic ingredients and packs 8 grams of prebiotic fiber, which feeds the good bacteria in your gut, resulting in a healthy gut microbiome.

What Customers Have Said

Odyssey protein bar customers love the flavor and the overall quality of the ingredients. They also like that the bar has a sweet flavor from natural sources, and does not have the artificial sweet taste that many protein bars have.

“The mint chocolate brownie bars are the best. They taste delicious and hit the spot when I need a chocolate fix.”

-Rebekah

Features

• Sweetened with: Organic dates, organic stevia
• Protein Ratio: 30%
• Protein: 16g
• Calories: 210 calories
• Sugar: 7g (2g added)
• Fat: 9g
• Fiber: 8g
• Sodium: 125mg

Pros

• Uses grass-fed whey protein
• High in protein
• Contains 8 grams of prebiotic fiber for gut health
• Organic whole food ingredients
• Gluten-free, Non GMO 

Cons

• Higher in cost compared to others on the list

3. Rise Whey Protein Bars – Almond Honey: Best “Clean” Bar

The Rise Whey Protein bar has only three ingredients: almonds, honey, and whey protein isolate.  

This means no preservatives, artificial colors or flavors.  This is a great choice if you like to emphasize natural ingredients.

What Customers Have Said

Customers have praised the Rise Whey Protein Bar for having a natural (not artificial) sweet taste, and being packed with quality protein and nutrients like potassium. Others loved the texture and the fact that the bar had only three ingredients.

“These bars are fantastic for a snack bar. Great protein, low sugar, and barely any ingredients! I’m a huge fan of the minimalistic ingredients.”

-Jon

Features

• Sweetened with: Honey
• Protein Ratio: 29%
• Protein: 20g
• Calories: 280 calories
• Sugar: 13g (0g added)
• Fat: 16g
• Fiber: 4g
• Sodium: 25mg

Pros

• High in protein (20g per bar)
• Recognizable ingredients
• Grain- and gluten-free
• Low in sodium

Cons

• Contains nuts (almonds)
• Not suitable for vegans (honey)

4. IQBAR Brain and Body Keto Protein Bars – Chocolate Sea Salt: Best Low-Sugar Bar

The IQBAR has only 1.3g of sugar in total, and zero added sugar.  

It is sweetened with only stevia and tapioca fiber.  This is great news for anyone looking to avoid or limit added sugar.

This vegan bar is high in fiber and has lion’s mane, a mushroom extract that is touted for its cognitive health benefits. 

The high fiber content of this bar could cause stomach issues for people who need a lower fiber intake.  

On the other hand, this would be a great choice for people looking to boost their fiber intake.

What Customers Have Said

Customers raved about the chocolate-flavored IQBAR and described its texture as “chewy and dense” without being “gritty or chalky” like many protein bars on the market. Other positive reviews were about the bar’s high protein-to-carb ratio and clean ingredients.

“The IQ Bars are amazing! There are a few things that are important to me in a protein/energy bar. Having minimal ingredients being one. If you are looking for a great tasty bar with great ingredients and is easy to digest, the IQ Bar is your choice!”

-Dena Zimbel

Features

• Sweetened with: Stevia and tapioca fiber
• Protein Ratio: 27%
• Protein: 12g
• Calories: 180 calories
• Sugar: 1g (0g added)
• Fat: 14g
• Fiber: 8g
• Sodium: 140mg

Pros

• No added sugar
• Vegan
• Keto-friendly

Cons

• High in fat

5. NuGo Protein Bar – Vanilla Yogurt: Best Low-Fat Bar

With only 3g of fat in per bar, the NuGo Protein bar has the lowest fat content overall.  It’s only a tiny fraction of the 17g of fat in a Kind Protein Bar.  

This makes it the best low-fat bar without sugar alcohols, which is important for people looking to manage their fat intake.

The NuGo Protein bar does only offer 11g of protein per bar.  This is the second-lowest protein content of any bar in the list, after the Zing bar.

This bar does have several forms of added sugar.  It has the highest sugar content of any bar on the list.

What Customers Have Said

Many customers love how much the Nugo Protein bar reminds them of a rice krispy treat, with a nice vanilla taste that tastes like dessert.

“I was impressed to discover this brand is not too heavy price wise or on fat content. The protein amount is exceedingly awesome for a single bar. I tried the vanilla flavor and I loved it. It’s basically a protein rice krispy snack”

-G Del

Features

• Sweetened with: Tapioca starch, sugar, tapioca syrup, cane sugar, agave syrup
• Protein Ratio: 26%
• Protein: 11g
• Calories: 170 calories
• Sugar: 13g (13g added)
• Fat: 3g
• Fiber: 2g
• Sodium: 115mg

Pros

• Lowest fat content (3g)
• Low price 

Cons

• Lower in protein
• High in added sugars

6. Power Crunch Whey Protein Bar – French Vanilla Creme: Best Bar for Weight Gain

The Power Crunch bar is the most calorie-dense option on the list, offering 220 calories per 40g bar.  

This is mainly due to its high-fat content, protein, and added sugar.  

This makes it the best choice for people seeking extra calories to gain weight.  

Its low fiber content means it will digest quickly, which can help avoid feeling too full and also provide energy quickly.

What Customers Have Said

Many customers who have tried Power Crunch protein bars love the sweet flavor and the fact the bar contains wafers. They loved the sweet taste and the protein content. Some customers did complain that the flakey texture could be messy to eat at times.

“Great taste and crunchy too. One of the best protein snacks I have ever tasted.”

-Amir

Features

• Sweetened with: Sugar, dextrose, sucralose, stevia leaf extract
• Protein Ratio: 26%
• Protein: 14g
• Calories: 220 calories
• Sugar: 5g (5g added)
• Fat: 13g
• Fiber: 1g
• Sodium: 100mg

Pros

• Highest calories per gram
• Low price

Cons

• Contains milk, wheat and soy

7. RxBar – Chocolate Sea Salt: Best Whole Foods Bar

RxBars are well-known for their natural ingredients.  

This bar’s sweetness comes from dates and a little touch of real chocolate. I love warming this bar in the oven for 2-3 minutes to melt the chocolate. It’s a delicious and nutritious whole-food source of protein.

This bar also has a 2:1 carb to protein ratio, which makes it great to eat after a workout.

What Customers Have Said

Customers like the taste, protein content, filling, quality and value of the Rx Bar. The simple ingredients and lack of fillers are a major selling point of this protein bar. However, some customers did not love the chewy texture of the Rx Bar.

“Real ingredients, real flavor, so good! My favorite “on the go” bar. They travel well. There might be a little bit of melting due to the chocolate chunks, but totally manageable without needing a napkin.”

-JRyan

Features

• Sweetened with: Dates, chocolate
• Protein Ratio: 23%
• Protein: 12g
• Calories: 210 calories
• Sugar: 13g (0g added)
• Fat: 9g
• Fiber: 5g
• Sodium: 260mg

Pros

• Recognizable whole foods ingredients
• 2:1 carbs to protein ratio
• Gluten-free

Cons

• Contains common allergens: eggs, almonds & cashews
• Not suitable for vegans (eggs)

8. RxBar Layers Chocolate Almond: Best Texture Bar

RxBar has branched out to create the “Layers” experience.  

Keeping with its whole foods-first approach, this bar is a step ahead of the usual protein bar experience that is often mainly one thick chewy texture throughout, with only a few “inclusions” such as nuts or chocolate chips to break up the monotony.

The Layers bar has a multi-layered texture, with a creamy and crunchy nut butter on top of a chewy protein bar base. This makes it a great replacement for a junk food bar.

What Customers Have Said

Most customers had great things to say about the flavor and the higher protein content compared to the original RxBar. With that said, there are quite a few reviews from customers complaining about the texture and dryness of this protein bar.

“I got these because I was excited to try their higher protein bar version. These aren’t bad. My biggest gripe with them is they are very dry and you will most definitely need liquids while consuming. Other than that I would say these aren’t bad.”

-Joshua

Features

• Sweetened with: Dates, honey, chocolate
• Protein Ratio: 23%
• Protein: 14g
• Calories: 250 calories
• Sugar: 13g (4g added)
• Fat: 13g
• Fiber: 3g
• Sodium: 190mg

Pros

• Recognizable whole foods ingredients
• Gluten-free

Cons

• Contains common allergens: eggs, almonds & cashews
• Not suitable for vegans (eggs)

9. Caveman Foods Chocolate Almond Butter Protein Bar: Best Paleo Bar

The “paleo” approach to eating has gained popularity in recent years, and along with it, a surge in the number of products available that tout themselves as being in keeping with the foods available to humans of the paleolithic era.

Caveman foods has created this bar without grains, legumes, or dairy, none of which is considered paleo.  This makes the bar naturally gluten-free and soy-free.

What Customers Have Said

The flavor and ingredients of this protein bar are the main selling points that customers enjoy, however the texture and chewiness seems to be a common negative review for the Caveman Foods Bar.

There does seem to be a consensus among customer reviews that the texture of this bar was much better in previous years compared to present day.

“These bars were fantastic a couple of years ago, but the overall quality has suffered over time. Flavor and ingredients can’t be beat imo, but they went from soft and chewy to literally hard as a rock”

-Ro

Features

• Sweetened with: Tapioca syrup, sugar, organic coconut sugar
• Protein Ratio: 22%
• Protein: 10g
• Calories: 180 calories
• Sugar: 9g (8g added)
• Fat: 9g
• Fiber: 1g
• Sodium: 140mg

Pros

• Paleo-friendly

Cons

• High in added sugar
• Contains almonds and eggs

10. Kind Protein Bar – Crunchy Peanut Butter: Best Energy Bar

Kind Bar was already in the energy bar market and has branched out with a higher-protein offering.  

However, with only 12g of protein, this bar only provides 19% of its calories from protein.  This is the second-lowest protein to calorie ratio in the list, after the Zing Bar. 

This bar has the highest fat content and the second-highest calorie content per gram, after the Power Crunch bar.  

Similar to the RxBar, Kind Bars are also known for recognizable ingredients.

What Customers Have Said

Customers seem to love the taste and ingredients of this protein snack bar. They seem to enjoy that it can be both an on the go breakfast or snack, and is healthier than the average protein bar. However, some customers complain about the hardness and freshness of the Kind Protein Bar.

“These are pretty good. They have a lot of protein to help keep you full. The taste is great but they are kind of hard to chew at first. Very crunchy.”

-Elaine King

Features

• Sweetened with: Chicory root fiber, honey, glucose syrup, sugar
• Protein Ratio: 19%
• Protein: 12g
• Calories: 250 calories
• Sugar: 7g (5g added)
• Fat: 18g
• Fiber: 6g
• Sodium: 135mg

Pros

• Recognizable ingredients
• Gluten-free

Cons

• Contains milk, soy, peanuts and almonds

11. Zing Bars Plant Based Protein Bar – Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter: Best Vegan Bar

The Zing Bar comes in last place in this top ten list as it only has 10g of protein.  

Only 19% of the total calories come from protein, which is less than half of the 43% of calories from protein in the EPIC Chicken Bar.   

However, it is a vegan option that is gluten-free, soy-free and non-GMO.  Unlike many other vegan protein bars, it does not contain any vegetable glycerin, a common sugar alcohol in many protein bars.

What Customers Have Said

The flavor and overall taste of the Zing Protein Bar is what the majority of customers love, along with the fact that they are gluten free, dairy free and soy free for those who struggle with allergies. There were some customers who didn’t like the texture, but for the majority of consumers this did not seem to be an issue.

 “I’ve had probably all flavors, and they’re all delicious. I like that they don’t have a lot of ingredients and are pretty clean. I keep one in my bag at all times so that I can have something if I’m not able to eat lunch. Definitely recommend! The peanut butter chocolate is super tasty!”

-Berger

Features

• Sweetened with: Organic sugar, allulose, prebiotic tapioca syrup, organic agave nectar
• Protein Ratio: 19%
• Protein: 10g
• Calories: 210 calories
• Sugar: 6g (5g added)
• Fat: 13g
• Fiber: 4g
• Sodium: 125mg

Pros

• Vegan
• Organic ingredients
• Gluten-free, soy-free and non-GMO  

Cons

• Lowest in protein

12. Outright Protein Bar- Birthday Cake: Best Dessert Protein Bar

While the Outright Protein Bar ranks last on this list with 23% of calories from protein, it still warrants a mention, since it is basically a dessert bar with an extra punch of protein.

If you love sweet treats and you are looking for something to satisfy your sweet tooth while still hitting your protein targets, this protein bar is perfect.

However, this insanely sweet flavor does come with the cost of about 18 grams of sugar. It also contains artificial colors and preservatives, so it is not the best choice for a consumer looking for a bar with natural ingredients.

What Customers Have Said

Customers love the soft texture and sweet taste of the Outright protein bar. A few customers noted that the flavor and texture was so nice that it doesn’t even taste like a protein bar. A few customers did mention that this bar is not great for weight loss because of the high fat and sugar content.

“Protein is a little lower and fat is a little higher than your typical protein bar. This is better for someone who doesn’t typically like protein bars, but wants to add more protein into their diet.”

-Carl

Features

• Sweetened with: Honey, dextrose, molasses, sugar
• Protein Ratio: 23%
• Protein: 15g
• Calories: 260 calories
• Sugar: 18g (16g added)
• Fat: 14g
• Fiber: 1g
• Sodium: 100mg

Pros

• High in protein
• Dessert-like taste

Cons

• High in added sugar (16g)
• Low in fiber
• Contains artificial colors and preservatives 
• Contains milk, peanuts and soy

Why Do Protein Bars Have Sugar Alcohols?

Sugar alcohols provide a sweet taste at a fraction of the calories of sugar.  

They are often combined with zero-calorie high-intensity sweeteners to create the same sweetness as sugar but with fewer calories.

Sugar alcohols also have physical properties that are similar to sugar, which means that they can add to the texture and size of a protein bar.

Sugar alcohols are also used to mask the unpleasant aftertaste of high-intensity sweeteners since some people complain about a bitter or “chemical” taste from those products.

Types of Sugar Alcohol in Protein Bars

Sugar alcohols blur the lines between “artificial” and “natural” since they are usually derived from sugars and can occur naturally or be produced industrially.  

They are organic compounds called polyols, so you can recognize them with the suffix “

-ol. 

Wikipedia provides a great table for comparing sugar alcohols, parts of which are shown here:

Note that the nutritional information label may state 0g of sugar alcohols even though one or more of the sugar alcohols listed above is included in the ingredients.  

This means that the total sugar alcohol per serving is less than 0.5g, which allows the label to round to zero.  

If you are concerned about sugar alcohols and want to avoid them, it is best to read the ingredients list carefully rather than relying on the number of grams of sugar alcohols stated in the nutrition facts.

Take Home Message: When looking for a protein bar without sugar alcohols, read the labels carefully to avoid the sugar alcohols listed above, and understand what other types of sweeteners are used instead.

• Related: Protein Bars With The Most Protein

Ingredients You Want In A Protein Bar Without Sugar Alcohols

If you are looking for a protein bar that uses sweeteners other than sugar alcohol, your choice will largely depend on your goals and personal preferences.

• For individuals looking to gain weight, it is a good idea to look for protein bars sweetened with caloric sweeteners such as sugars and syrups, including corn syrup, honey, fruit juices, and dried fruits such as raisins or dates.

• For individuals who are looking to lose weight, it is a good idea to look for protein bars that are sweetened with non-caloric sweeteners such as stevia, monkfruit, or other high-intensity sweeteners like sucralose or acesulfame potassium (Ace-K).

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Protein Bars Without Sugar Alcohols More Expensive?

Protein bars without sugar alcohols are not more expensive than other bars and generally fall in the same price range. 

With that said, protein bars without sugar alcohols that also contain organic ingredients and natural sweeteners tend to cost more compared to those with generic ingredients and artificial sweeteners.

Which Protein Bars Don’t Have Maltitol?

Several protein bars are made without maltitol, including:

• Garden of Life Protein Bars
• R.E.D.D. Bars
• GoMacro Protein Bars
• KIND Protein Bars
• RXBAR Protein Bars
• Larabar Protein Bars
• NuGo Slim Bars
• Wellcome Bars
• Rise Bars
• Caveman Protein Bars
• EPIC Meat Bars
• No Cow Protein Bars
• Rawr Bars
• IQBars

Which Protein Bars Don’t Have Erythritol?

Many protein bars on the market are free from erythritol, including:

• KIND Protein Bars
• RXBAR Protein Bars
• Larabar Protein Bars
• Vital Proteins
• Wellcome Bars
• Rise Bars
• GoMacro Protein Bars
• EPIC Meat Bars
• No Cow Protein Bars
• Rawr Bars
• IQBars

Related Reading

• Best Low-Fiber Protein Bars
• Best Protein Bars Under 100 Calories
• Best Pre-Workout Protein Bars
• Best Protein Bars Under 200 Calories

Reference

Singh A, Singh D. The Paleolithic Diet. Cureus. 2023 Jan 25;15(1):e34214. doi: 10.7759/cureus.34214. PMID: 36843707; PMCID: PMC9957574.