Protein bars are becoming more and more popular, but did you know that some of them aren’t vegan? Even if they are vegan, some of them are high in sugar or just not very tasty. And eating enough protein is hard, but with these tips on how to choose a healthy protein bar you should have little trouble.
Mostly protein bars are made with dairy products and cannot be considered vegan friendly but yes some specialized vegan brands make vegan protein bars and there are protein bars out there that our vegan.
A lot of protein bars contain whey or other milk-derived ingredients
The best way to make sure you’re getting a vegan protein bar is to read the ingredients list. Here are some common non-vegan ingredients in protein bars: Whey Protein Isolate – Whey is a byproduct of cheese making, and contains lactose (milk sugar).
If you’re vegan or have trouble digesting dairy, you’ll want to avoid this ingredient. Also, if you’re allergic to dairy products or lactose intolerant, you should steer clear of whey protein isolates.
Gelatin is made from bones, skin and connective tissue from animals such as cows, pigs or fish. It’s used as a thickener and gelling agent in many foods including baked goods, ice cream and yogurt.
Most protein bars are not vegan friendly
However, there are a few brands that offer a vegan protein bar. The good news is that these bars are quite delicious and have an excellent texture. The bad news is that most of them are made with whey protein. Most brands use whey because it’s easy to make, but it’s also inexpensive and tastes good.
Whey is a byproduct of cheese production and contains lactose, which makes it unsuitable for people with lactose intolerance or those who follow a strict vegan diet.
Fortunately, there are some companies that offer vegan-friendly protein bars made from plant-based sources like rice flour, brown rice syrup and coconut oil instead of whey protein isolate or whey concentrate.
These bars tend to be more expensive than their animal-based counterparts but they’re still affordable enough to try out if you’re looking for an alternative to animal products in your diet or if you’re just curious about the taste of a vegan snack bar.
Vegan protein bars are any bars that contain zero animal products
These can be made of soy, pea and other plant-based proteins. They do not contain any animal fats, such as lard or tallow. They are often sweetened with sugar alcohols like xylitol or erythritol. These are low-carb sweeteners that don’t raise blood sugar levels like table sugar does.
Vegan protein bars are also free of lactose (a sugar found in milk) because they don’t contain dairy products. Some vegan protein bars also have no gluten, which means they don’t include wheat or other grains that contain gluten.
Vegan Protein Bars for Athletes
Because many people use protein bars as meal replacements on the go, athletes need to make sure that their choices have enough nutrients to keep them going during workouts and races. A good vegan protein bar should have at least 15 grams of protein per bar and less than 200 calories per serving. It should also offer some carbs, which help fuel muscles during exercise sessions.
Vegan protein bars may contain soy or soy isolates, rice, nuts, pulses such as peanuts and beans
Vegan protein bars may contain soy or soy isolates, rice, nuts, pulses such as peanuts and beans and vegan proteins derived from peas and many other sources. Protein bars are a convenient way to get your daily protein requirement.
They provide energy and help you stay full for longer periods of time. They also come in different tastes and flavors, so you don’t have to feel like you’re eating a clump of chalk all day.
Many people don’t realize that there are vegan protein bars out there that are just as tasty as the ones made with animal products. You can find them at most grocery stores or online, but they can be expensive compared to other types of bars.
Many vegan protein bars will include whey powder in their ingredient list
Many vegan protein bars will include whey powder in their ingredient list. This is a dairy product, so if you are vegan, you’ll want to avoid it.
Vegan protein bars can also be made with soy or pea protein isolate. These can be good sources of protein for vegans but must be carefully checked for other ingredients that may not be vegetarian-friendly.
Some companies use gelatin or collagen hydrolysate as a thickening agent in their bars. These are animal-derived products and should be avoided by vegans. If you have allergies or sensitivities, you may also want to look at the ingredients list on any protein bar before purchasing it.
You may find that some bars contain nuts, soy, gluten or other food allergens that could cause problems for you.
With so many vegan foods out there, the hard part is not finding good ones but choosing just one
These days, you can find vegan-friendly options everywhere, including at most grocery stores. And while it’s easy to find protein bars that are vegan, it’s even easier to make them yourself at home.
The following recipes are all simple to prepare and require only a handful of ingredients. They’re also packed with protein and healthy fats that will satisfy any sweet tooth.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Bars
These chocolate peanut butter protein bars are an excellent source of plant-based protein. Made from dates and nuts, they’re rich in potassium, iron and magnesium nutrients that help build muscle mass and improve bone health.
Conclusion
You want to make sure that the protein source is purely plant-based. Many times protein bars will use whey as a protein source. If a protein bar specifically states whey on the label, then it is not vegan-friendly. There are several ingredients that you should look out for besides whey, including eggs and other dairy products and honey. These ingredients can easily be overlooked by the average consumer, so keep a close eye. Even if you’re avoiding foods with these ingredients due to your own personal dietary choice, it’s always best to read food labels before eating.