There have been a lot of saying that a paleo diet doesn’t work. For one, I am the kind of person who researched the heck out of a particular topic before formulating a conclusion as to whether or not I like it. In this case, I was curious as to why people started doing the paleo diet. Moreover, why people started eating paleo protein bars.
After doing some research on the subject, I can honestly vouch for it. To start things off, let us define what paleo diet means. This type of diet is based on the foods that are presumed to be eaten by our ancestors. When I mean ancestors, I mean those who lived in Palaeolithic times. Do keep in mind that these people in Paleolithic times are hunters and gatherers. They basically eat anything that they could find.
As soon as the Neolithic era started, which was about 10,000 years ago, humans started becoming sedentary. They started to practice farming and planting crops like wheat and such. In addition, they started tending animals and caring for them. Fast forward to what is known as the Industrial Revolution, almost every type of food is capitalized for profit.
Paleo diet is not actually a diet but a lifestyle. You choose to eat foods the way our Paleolithic ancestors did before. The best paleo protein bars are snacks that are only made of organic and natural ingredients. After the Paleolithic era, people started consuming foods that are processed. The Standard American Diet or SAD claimed that almost every food available on the market features ingredients bad for the health – sugar, refined sugar, and guess what, more sugar!
Also read: our paleo-friendly menu guide at popular chain restaurants!
Paleo bars seek to fix this problem. Now, I have been skeptic about this snack as well. How can paleo bars be any different than nutrition bars? After doing some research, you’ll be surprised to find out the variety of healthy ingredients found in these snack bars.
Furthermore, I have rounded up a list of all the paleo protein bars complete with the pros and cons of each. You’re welcome!
The Top Paleo Protein Bars You Can Buy
Rx Bars
You may have seen these floating around the internet or your local supermarket. For one, the aesthetic of the packaging was very convincing. You get to see the actual ingredients listed on it even before eating it – 3 egg whites, 8 almonds, 4 cashews, 12 peanuts, 7 blueberries, etc. The last bullet point says “No B.S.” No B.S. and just REAL FOODS.
The inside of the package smells amazing. The smell of the blueberries and dates were intoxicating. On top of that, there were probably about a million flavors to choose from. Furthermore, you can rest assure that the Rx Bars do not contain any fillers or binders. It sticks to 100% whole food ingredients.
Are you wondering if these Rx Bars may be using protein powder? So did I. After a little research, I was happy to know that these do not use protein powders; instead, it uses egg whites for protein. As an avid fan of always wanting to get the most out of whole foods, I would give this paleo bar a rating of five stars. It is super clean and not to mention, very convenient for me who is always on the go.
Pros:
- Ingredients made of 100% real foods
- A million flavors to choose from
- Delicious and savory flavors to choose from
- Rx Bars do not contain any fillers or binders
- Rx Bars do not make use of protein powders
- Protein source comes from egg whites
Cons:
- Kind of on the more expensive side of things
- The texture becomes hard as soon as it becomes cold
- It gets messy when it becomes warm
- Can be a bit strong if you are not used to coffee
Epic Bars
At first, I was wondering why a bunch of animals were displayed on the Epic Bars’ packaging. It made me wonder if they actually used these as ingredients for the snack bars. I mean, can they use this on a snack bar? Is that still considered a paleo bar? I just had to try it.
First impression, meat as a snack is surprisingly good. Per checking, these Epic Bars make use of animals that are 100% grass-fed. So if we are to go back to what paleo diet is, I guess these bars still fall under it. The flavors are amazing and it made me want to try everything.
I started with the Epic Bar lamb flavor. Its ingredients include dehydrated lemon peel, dehydrated spearmint leaves, sesame seeds, spices (black pepper, red pepper, rosemary, basil, oregon, and marjoram), celery powder, lactic acid, sea salt, organic currants, and of course, organic lamb.
The flavor was fair, the texture was chewy, and I noticed that I have a lot more energy when I go out after eating one of these. On another note, I can honestly say that these cannot replace a full meal. The Epic Bars have lower calories than most bars too so this is another thing you should consider.
The only downside I see to this bar is that it has 8g of sugar (for the bison flavor). This amount of sugar is a bit higher than I’d like it to be. The Epic Bars turkey flavor only has 6g of sugar. If you are a little bit conscious with sugar intake, I suggest you go for the turkey flavor.
Pros:
- Makes use of 100% grass-fed animals as ingredients
- Meat-flavored snack bars that are very delicious
- Texture is chewy but not too chewy
- It has a high level in protein source
- The nutritional facts are impressive
- Epic Bars are loaded with fiber
Cons:
- Kind of on the more expensive side of things
- Contains a higher level of sugar than other paleo bars
- This is not the perfect snack bar for vegetarians
- The variance between the calories and macros of this bar makes it hard for you to reach your goal
eXo Protein Bars
Now, I know what you’re thinking, protein bars and paleo bars are different in their own way. There are protein bars that are made of non-organic ingredients. Upon researching the ingredients of each of the flavor of these eXo bars, the Cacao Nut flavor is the most Paleo of them all. So, I’ll start with that.
The ingredients for the eXo Cacao Nut include sea salt, vanilla extract, ground flax seeds, cacao powder, cacao nibs, almonds, honey, coconut, dates, and cricket flour. Yes, cricket flour! So far, I find that this particular ingredient was the most unique and the best one at that when it comes to the best paleo protein bars.
Who would have thought that people would start manufacturing snack bars from insects? The truth is, insects are very high in protein source. Plus, they are very sustainable. No need to worry too much about the flavor because it tastes amazing!
Pros:
- It’s hard to not like the Cacao Nut flavor
- It has a high level in protein source
- Highly sustainable in insect protein
- Gluten-free
- Texture is chewy but not too chewy
- The perfect paleo bar for people on-the-go
Cons:
- Some people may not be comfortable eating cricket flour
- People who are allergic to insects cannot eat this
- People who are allergic to shellfish cannot eat this (it has the same allergic reaction to that of insects)
- Kind of on the more expensive side of things
Tanka Bars
I picked up a couple of Tanka Bars the other day at Whole Foods so that I could give them a try. The texture of the bar is really soft, much like the Epic Bars. Another similarity between these two bars is that they are both made from organic meat. Tanka Bars are specifically made from bison meat.
Chewing into a Tanka Bar feels like chewing into a very soft beef jerky shaped like a bar. You can also taste the delicious dried fruit ingredient and seasoning. Honestly, I cannot choose between this one and that of Epic Bars. I mean, the only advantage the Epic Bar has is the variety of flavors.
Tanka Bars are very low in calorie intake but the protein is substantial. I am now convinced that meat-based paleo bars are the best. You can definitely notice that you have a high amount of energy when eating this – without having to spoil your next meal.
One of the reasons I prefer meat-based snack bars is that the amount of protein in it is best absorbed by the body and converted to energy. However, like the Epic Bars, the Tanka Bar also has traces of sugar in it. So both the Tanka Bar and Epic Bars do not really abide by the Whole 30 guidelines.
Pros:
- Each flavor is distinct and delicious
- It has a high level in protein source
- Highly sustainable in meat protein
- Gluten-free
- Tanka Bars are loaded with fiber
- The perfect paleo bar for people on-the-go
Cons:
- Traces of sugar is present
- This is not the perfect snack bar for vegetarians
- A little bit too chewy for me
- Kind of on the more expensive side of things
Conclusion
The best paleo protein bars for you is the snack bars that adheres to your health goals and preference. If you want to possess a high level of energy throughout the day, opt for paleo bars with a high protein source. Nonetheless, there are bars that are meat-based, which is great but limited. Those who are vegetarians cannot opt for these bars. Furthermore, take into consideration any present allergies you might have. Also, there are paleo protein bars that are high in sugar intake, so be wary of that too.
The bottom line is that paleo bars are a good snack if you are always on the go. It’s only a matter of choosing the right one that adheres to your preference and lifestyle. With this guide, you can confidently shop for the perfect paleo bar that will make your life a little more healthier!
About Shaun Hudson
Shaun Hudson loves sports, being outdoors, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. After many unsuccessful attempts to lose weight, he finally was able to drop 25 pounds and keep it off. The secret? He kept a journal of his activity, diet, and daily life. That journal changed his life, and has since evolved into this website. Read his full bio.