Remember when snack bars were either protein or granola? Not anymore! In recent years, bars have evolved into something far more than just a post-school snack for kids.
Whether you’re in need of an energy boost or looking for something to aid your digestion, there are so many bars out there to help support a variety of nutritional needs. The same goes for specialty diets. Looking for a high-protein snack? No problem. Are you vegan or paleo? There’s a bar for you too.
Since the selection seems endless, I went ahead and did the work for you! Here’s my take on 10 trendy bars made from some pretty interesting ingredients including superfoods, buffalo, crickets, and probiotics to name a few.
Give one (or better yet all) of these trendy new bars a try!
1. Tanka Bar Buffalo Meat with Cranberries
It sounds like it would taste like beef jerky, but this bar offers more of a snack bar-like texture and provides a mildly sweet taste.
- High in protein
- Low in fat and calories
- Extremely flavorful
- Free of antibiotics, hormones, artificial ingredients, MSG, soy, lactose and gluten
- 7 g protein, 7 g carbs, 1.5 g fat
2. Raw Revolution Organic Live Food Bar
If you’re following a vegan or raw vegan diet, this bar is the perfect choice. Made with clean, raw and organic ingredients, my pick is the chocolate-raspberry truffle flavor.
- High in nutrients
- Contains omega-3 & -6
- Free of refined sugars, artificial ingredients, gluten, dairy, cholesterol and preservatives
- 7 g protein, 5 g fiber
3. Sunbiotics Organic Probiotic Raw Chocolate Bar
Probiotics are the bacteria that line the digestive tract to support the body’s ability to fight infections and absorb nutrients. Adding foods with probiotics to your diet improves digestion, supports a stronger immune system, reduces vulnerability to colds and increases energy. This bar, made with fair-trade ingredients including raw cacao, tastes less like a snack bar and more like dessert!
- 10 billion probiotics in each bar
- Rich in antioxidants
- Made with a touch of ginger essential oil to aid digestion
- Free of gluten, dairy, GMO gluten
![Navitas Naturals Maca Maple Bar | Vitacost.com/Blog]( "Top 10 Bars to Buy from Vitacost (and why)")
4. Navitas Organic Superfood + Nut Bar
Navitas means “energy” and with 9 superfoods in these bars, you can definitely see why! My fave is the “Maca Maple” flavor. These bars are made with nutrient-dense plant superfoods, including cashews, almonds, maca, sunflower seeds, cacao nibs, quinoa, amaranth, maple syrup and lucuma.
- 9 superfoods packed into one great-tasting bar
- Kosher, organic, vegan, non-GMO and gluten-free
5. Kind Plus Bars
If you give this bar a try, opt for the almond-cashew flavor with flax. Flaxseeds provide omega-3s, which offer powerful health benefits for the brain and body. Flax seeds provide the alpha-linoleic acid (ALA) form of omega-3s, which is converted in the body to EPA and DHA forms. Added bonus: 5% of each purchase benefits the PeaceWorks Foundation’s award-winning programs to foster coexistence in the world.
- Made with less than 10 all-natural non-GMO ingredients
- Contain 500 mg omega-3s
- Free of hydrogenated oils, trans fats, sulphur dioxide, gluten, dairy, salt and cholesterol
6. Metagenics Ultra Calm Bar with L-Theanine
Stress relief from a snack? Yes! These bars are designed to address stress-related concerns with L-theanine-enhanced bars. L-theanine is an amino acid found in green tea. Studies show it supports relaxation, a sense of calm and a healthy stress response.† Rich in fiber (and dark chocolate), these bars will help keep you deliciously full!
- 200 mg of L-Theanine
- 8 g fiber
- Gluten-free
7. Go Macro Macrobar Protein Pleasure
A macrobiotic diet encourages eating natural, whole foods which not only support a healthy body but also a healthy ecosystem. Macrobiotic diets may help improve heart health, reduce inflammation and support a healthy body weight.† Go Macro’s peanut butter chocolate chip bar is high in protein making it a great midday treat for when you’re on the run.
- 12 g protein
- Vegan
- Organic, non-GMO and gluten free
8. Shanti Bar Spirulina Detox Energy Bar
Spirulina contains 3900% more iron than spinach, 2800% more beta-carotene than carrots and 280% more antioxidants than blueberries. This superfood boosts energy levels, strengthens the immune system and supports cardiovascular, eye and brain health. This bar is packed with nourishing spirulina, raw seeds, berries, stone fruits, nuts, coconut nectar and spices.
- Organic, raw, vegan, paleo
- Free of gluten, GMOs and preservatives
- Low glycemic index
9. EXO Cricket Protein Bar
Not sure about eating crickets? Maybe the benefits will sway you. Cricket flour is a great gluten-free alternative to conventional flour and is extremely high in protein. Provided are the same essential amino acids and omega-3 fatty acids found in meat, poultry and fish.
- 10 g protein
- Good source of micronutrients, including iron and calcium
- Free of grains, soy, gluten and dairy
10. Health Warrior Superfood Chia Bars
Ounce-for-ounce, chia has more omega-3 than salmon, more protein than an egg and more fiber than flax. If you’re looking for your daily chia fix, these tasty bars list chia as the first ingredient on the list.
- Vegan, gluten-free, soy-free, non-GMO
- Packed with calcium, iron and antioxidants