Protein bars are what many call the best of both worlds. They’re a combination of a healthy meal and a delightful snack, all packaged into a convenient packet that’s easy to carry around, and you can eat them anywhere. It may look small, but a protein bar packs a lot of nutrients, and this is why we want to talk about them today.
We are going to look at the best protein bars Malaysia has to offer, where you can buy them, the benefits of each, as well as explore a quick guide you can use to choose the right protein bars.
If you are a fan of protein bars, then you should read this to the very end to learn new things you may not have been aware of in regards to your favorite protein snack bar.
10 Best Protein Bars in Malaysia 2021
The sheer variety of protein bars available in the Malaysian market is overwhelming; you wouldn’t be able to sample all of them in one lifetime! Fortunately for you, we have narrowed them down to the top ten, and they include the following.
MYPROTEIN Vegan Carb Crusher
Right from the packaging, MYPROTEIN Vegan Carb Crusher looks enticing and you will find it hard to keep calm around it. It is considered the best protein bar for vegans and it is a delicious offering that will leave you wanting more.
This plant-based protein bar comes in various flavors like chocolate orange and chocolate sea salt. A single bar comes packed with 15 grams of proteins and 9 grams of dietary fibers, enough to see you through the day if you plan to have a solid exercise. The dietary fibers will aid in your digestion process as you aim to lose weight.
Why buy this:
- It comes in two chocolate flavors
- Packed with 15 grams of proteins
- Six layers of protein crispies
- Vegan protein bar
Barebells Protein Bars Caramel Cashew
Barebells is the best protein bar when it comes to ingredient balance. It comes in a clean light and dark brown package and it packs both the proteins you need to see yourself through a long day and the amazing taste that will have your tongue dancing all through.
The snack bar is a combination of cashew and caramel, giving it a refined texture and flavour combinations without adding any artificial sugars. The best part? A single Barebells Protein Bar Caramels Cashew bar contains a whopping 20g of protein with natural sugars.
The snacking bar also comes with dietary fibers that make things easy for your stomach and, at the same time, elements of probiotics that boost the proliferation of beneficial gut bacteria.
Why buy this:
- Digestive fiber elements
- 20g of protein per bar
- No artificial sugars
- Low calories
QUEST® Protein Bar Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
Chocolate chip cookie dough goes well with almost anything, but we think its flavor shines through the best in the QUEST Protein Bar Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough.
This is the best protein bar that’s sugar-free and chocolate-flavored. It makes use of natural sweeteners like sucralose and stevia, which add a new dimension to the taste that will leave your mouth watering throughout the day every time you think about having another bite.
A single protein bar contains 21 grams of proteins and about 15 grams of natural fibers, and no fats. The icing on the cake is the high sodium elements that maintain your body fluids, keeping your body weight in check.
Why buy this:
- Amazing flavours
- Uses natural sweeteners
- 21 grams of proteins
- 15 grams of digestive fiber
- Low calories
Carmans Greek Style Yoghurt & Berry Protein Bars
If you want a protein bar that’s rich in probiotics then the Carmans Greek Style Yogurt & Berry Protein Bar is your best bet. It is one of the best protein bars with a unique appearance with nuts appearing stuck all over, giving it a very unique taste profile that will leave hankering for more.
This protein bar deviates from the usual chocolate layered path common with other protein bars and instead goes with a yogurt component. This adds a tinge of soreness that blends well with the sweet natural sugars and roasted nuts.
Other dietary benefits you get from this protein bar include calcium, probiotics for your gut bacteria, and generous amounts of proteins.
Why buy this:
- Rich in probiotic elements
- Contains calcium
- Delicious roasted nuts
- Digestive fiber
Slim Secrets Bare Bar Salted Caramel & Banana
Bananas are always a good substitute for artificial sugar and when it gets paired up with caramels, what you get is a heavenly explosion of delicious flavours in the mouth with every bite with low carbs and no artificial sugar.
The Slim Secrets Bare Bar Salted Caramel & Banana protein bar is one of the best protein bars that is in a class of its own. These snacks come in a simple package that may lead you to think it is an average snack bar, that’s until you bite into it.
But the one thing that makes this protein bar stand apart from the rest is the fact that it is ketogenic and vegan-friendly. A single Slim Secrets bar contains 3 grams of carbohydrates, 11 grams of fibers, and 13grams of proteins.
Why buy this:
- Keto-friendly
- Low on carbs
- Digestive fiber
- Sufficient fibers to keep you stuffed
ORION Dr. You Protein Bar
Dr. You Protein Bar by ORION is the best protein bar from South Korea that is a healthy meal replacement with extra protein helpings for your muscles just before you hit the gym. It is much smaller but doesn’t let the size mislead you. It packs both the taste and the proteins ideal for muscle and strength gain, more than what you can get from some meals.
In fact, this diet snack bar has 25 grams of protein and low calories, that’s more than most of the other options on this list, and that should tell you all that you need to know about the product. It is chocolate flavored and combined with a number of nuts that add a crunchy texture to it.
Why buy this:
- Light and small
- 25 grams of proteins
- Great flavours
- Low carbohydrates
GNC TOTAL LEAN™ Lean Bar Strawberry Yogurt
A protein bar list wouldn’t be complete without a strawberry-flavored option showing up. The GNC TOTAL LEAN Strawberry Yoghurt bar takes flavoring to the next level. While most people prefer chunky protein bars full of calories just for eating, the GNC bar goes the opposite direction without cutting down on the most important aspect of it all, proteins.
This diet bar replaces chocolate with strawberry yogurt, adding the much-needed probiotics in your diet that will help the digestive system alongside fibers. Each bar contains 15 grams of fast-release proteins that will accelerate muscle repair after you have just had an intense gym session.
Why buy this:
- Probiotics
- Fast-release proteins
- Low calories and carbs
- Great flavour
Optimum Nutrition Cake Bites Protein Bar
Anyone who has tried the many flavours of the Optimum Nutrition Cake Bites Protein Bar agrees on one thing, the unique and heavenly taste that’s unmatched by anything else. It is a healthier snack option that packs a nutritious balance of added protein elements, natural sugars, fruity flavours, and low fats to give the user the energy boost needed to handle anything.
The protein bar comes in many flavors, but the best two so far are the birthday cake, caramel crunch, and a real chocolate overload. The food bar simply melts in your mouth when you bite into it, with the soft and gooey caramel center releasing all the flavors for the best experience.
Why buy this:
- Great flavour options
- 20 grams of protein
- No added sugar
PhD Smart Plant Protein Bar (Salted Caramel)
The PhD Smart Plant Protein Bar (Salted Caramel) is a low-sugar snack that is ideal for vegetarians and vegans. It is designed with a very soft protein center that is surrounded by a delicious caramel goo that stretches when you bite into it.
Each quick charge pack has bars with a satisfyingly crunchy texture and is packed with all kinds of nutritious elements that will give you the boost you need without a meal. A single food bar is packed with 20 grams of protein which is more than enough if you are on a weight loss program.
Why buy this:
- 20 grams of proteins
- Great texture
- Wide range of flavors, including dark chocolate
- Low carbs
HIGH5 Energy Bar with Protein
This is ideal for people who work out every day and you can tell from the name, it packs nothing but high-powered proteins that will give your muscles the adrenaline they need without affecting the flavour. It is a vegan option that can be consumed at any time, before, during, or after your exercise.
These snacks are light but highly nutritious. You will not suffer any bloating while working out. On the flavour front, the bar is made using white chocolate, dark chocolate, and raspberry and this fruity element makes it a very delicious and enjoyable snack that you can have even when relaxing at home.
A single quick charge pack is specially formulated to contain 10 grams of vegan pea protein, enough for your daily quota that will help your body recover much faster after a grueling session at the gym.
Why buy this:
- Light but nutritious
- Ideal for taxing activities
- Great combination of flavors
- Good for vegans
Guide to Choose the Right Healthy Protein Bars
When it comes to protein bar snacks, they are more than just great flavors. The main reason why these snacks come highly recommended is their nutritional value and that’s what you should pay attention to the most when buying them for the first time. The following are some of the factors you have to keep in mind when choosing the right healthy protein bar snacks.
Your Diet Goal
What are your dietary goals? Are you trying to reduce sugar intake? Increase your body proteins? Bulk up? You need to have a goal you are working towards. Most protein bars are carefully made by combining several foods to give the consumer the most in a small and compact bar. Go for the snacks that will meet your diet goals and flavour needs.
Your Workout Schedule
You need to arrange your protein bar intake around your workout frequency and fitness goals; otherwise, you will fall into the trap of eating one every 5 minutes, and that may not be good for you.
If you have a planned workout session in the evening, then get a soy protein bar you can eat before, during, or after the workout. If you choose pre-workout protein bar snacks, go for the type that releases proteins faster to give your body the energy needed to hit a quick workout before you are worn out.
Your Daily Protein Needs
The average adult is 56 grams of protein for their meals in a day. Pay attention to this when choosing your protein bars. This will determine how many snacks you need to eat in a day, depending on the protein amount packed in each bar.
Most protein bars are 20 grams worth, and this means you will have to eat two in a day to provide your body with the needed strength to handle things. Therefore, select protein bars based on the protein content in order to know how many packs of protein snacks you will need for the week and so on.
The Ingredients
Ingredients matter a lot. They determine the taste and the nature of the nutrients. Are you allergic to nuts? Then you should stay clear of any protein bar that has any type of nuts in them or too much sugar.
Other considerations that depend on the ingredients include veganism and vegetarianism. There are protein bars that are made for these groups of people and if you are one of them, stick to what you are compatible with.
Conclusion
A protein bar is a much healthier snack option that’s highly recommended for people who need energy for their day-to-day activities or a reliable meal substitute. There’s every type for every preference: vegans can get all their protein needs from HIGH5 Energy Bar with Protein without going against their dietary restrictions. For those that want instant energy, you have the GNC TOTAL LEAN Protein Bar that releases proteins instantly.
We hope you like what you choose. If you already have a favorite protein bar, let us know in the comments!
Frequently Asked Questions
How much Protein Bars should I take per day?
This depends on the constitution of the proteins in question. Most have 20 grams of proteins, and this means you can have between 2-3 protein bars in a day to get their full benefits.
When should I take a protein bar?
You can have a protein bar at any time of the day regardless of what you are doing or plan to do. However, they work best when taken before, during, or after a muscle-intensive activity like a workout.
What protein bars should you avoid?
After extensive research, you should avoid protein bars that have too much artificial sugar, palm and kernel oils, or fused with fructose corn syrup. These tend to cause bloating and may have laxatives in them that may lead to food poisoning.
