Protein is mostly known for sustaining energy and building muscle, but are protein bars good for weight loss as well? The answer is yes if you choose a protein bar with an optimal nutritional value that will help you achieve your goals. So, it’s important to understand how much protein you should be looking for, the number of calories and fibre and how much sugar that won’t be harmful to your goal.

Protein can have great effects on your metabolism, appetite and body weight as the high thermic effect burns calories in the digestive process. Self-control can be a difficult task when trying to lose weight, isn’t forbidden fruit always the sweetest? Snacking in between meals and indulging on harmful foods is a hard habit to break, but what if you didn’t crave those things? What if there was a natural option that would keep you satisfied and fuller for longer so you’re not longing for that next treat, but content until your next meal.

The answer is protein. Consuming protein can reduce the levels of ghrelin in your body, otherwise known as the hungry hormone and help you reduce your food intake naturally to a healthier level.

Things to consider when picking a protein bar:

Trying to lose weight can be a challenge on its own, so you want your food to be on your side too! While a lot of protein bars may appear to be healthy, it’s in your best interest to not be too trusting. Always check the nutrition label for important factors that could either benefit or hinder your weight loss goals, like sugars, additives, calories and fats.

Look for a bar that is high in protein and low in calories with a substantial amount of fibre to help keep you satisfied between meals and boost your energy levels.

Read the nutrition labels!

Check the amount of protein

Look for the number 20! For a pre or post workout snack bar, there should be at least 20 grams of protein, too much can be difficult to digest in a single sitting and can lead to weight gain.

Check the calories

It’s best to eat protein bars as a healthy snack instead of regular meal replacements, so try to find a protein bar with 220 - 250 calories.

Check the fibre

Fibre will help keep you feeling fuller for longer so that you don’t go snacking on unhealthy foods in between meals. The optimal amount of fibre is 3 - 5 grams per bar.

Check the fat

Your ideal protein bar should contain 10 - 15 grams of total fat. Watch out for artificial sweeteners and unhealthy fats that can hold you back from your weight loss goals.

Check the sugars

Be on the lookout for the level of sugar, you don’t want to be deceived by eating a protein bar with the nutritional value of a candy bar. The ideal portion is less than 5 grams so make sure you’re not loading up on unnecessary sugar or any artificial sweeteners that can often cause bloating, cramps and gas.

Check the type of protein

Is it dairy or plant-based? If you’re sensitive or allergic to a particular type of protein, be sure to pick one that suits your dietary needs.

Why not make your own?

Sometimes, if you want something done right you’re better off doing it yourself. Making your own protein bars at home might be the best option if you have a little spare time during the week so that you can create a batch that matches your dietary requirements and optimal nutritional value. Luckily, any Happy Way protein powder can be used to make any protein-filled recipe you like!

Give our raw oat and choc slice protein bar a go-to snack on after a hefty workout to help grow, maintain and repair body and muscle tissues. It is recommended to consume post-workout foods like a protein bar within 45 minutes after you finish your session to decrease the impact of muscle soreness.

The perfect bite size snack and popular food choice for fitness enthusiasts are protein balls. These can be an awesome substitute and are super easy to make! Try our cacao mint cookie dough protein balls recipe for the cutest post-workout snack packed with a punch of essential nutrients.

Not only are protein bars good for weight loss, but they are also great for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Protein filled recipes are a healthy choice for the long term, even after you’ve reached your weight loss goals, protein can help maintain your strength, muscle and body composition.

During your weight loss journey, don’t forget to take a holistic approach, protein shakes and bars have amazing benefits but you should make sure you’re focusing on all areas with a healthy diet, regular exercise, adequate sleep and a positive outlook.

Our Happy Way fatburner collection is great for pre-workout to give you an energy boost and improvement in metabolism. While benefiting your performance and fitness goals, it’s doing wonders for your body with the highest quality raw ingredients and superfood supplements. Plus, they’re vegan-friendly and are free from preservatives artificial flavours and sweeteners. Want to know how do fat burners work? Our experts have the answer - what to look for, how to use them, along with extra advice to maximise fat burning.

To help get to your goal weight, have a read of our 3 Essential lifestyle changes for a flat belly. We’ve got so many awesome recipes to help you lose weight, gain muscle, increase energy, whatever you’re looking for in a protein recipe, you can make it with Happy Way.