The Comprehensive Guide To Paleo Bars & Protein Shakes

With so many different diets out there all claiming to be the answer to all your health problems, it's hard to know where to turn and which one to chose.

The paleo diet is one that's proving more and more popular and is currently right on trend. You definitely shouldn't be choosing a diet simply because it's trendy, but a lot of people seem convinced that paleo is the answer.

The paleo diet is a strict one, as you can only eat naturally sourced food, so think caveman! If they couldn’t have it, nor can you.

It's a hugely popular diet, and more and more people are adopting it. Although there are no statistics about how many people follow a paleo diet, the explosion in sales of paleo cookbooks and products speaks for itself. 

Paleo Bars and Protein Powders

To make things a little easier, there are plenty of protein powders for paleo and paleo protein bars to help you get all the nutrients you need.

Paleo bars and paleo protein shakes are great if you workout regularly or need to grab something to eat quickly if you're always on the move.

However, although there are tons of paleo protein bars out there, there are also just as many no-paleo options, so you need to be careful.

Typically, paleo bars use egg whites and some form of naturally sourced ingredients.

The differences and variations between bars will be found in the ingredients, which in turn affects the nutritional outcome, so choosing wisely is important.

In this comprehensive guide, we'll clarify and simplify all things paleo.

We've reviewed the different types and brands available, finding you the best paleo protein bars out there.

10 Best Paleo Bars & Protein Shakes​

There are many variations on paleo protein bars and shakes.

Your choice will depend on personal preferences and taste, as each bar is different.

You might choose to go for low sugar and calorie bar if you're looking to slim down and still be able to snack. There are also bars that are higher in protein for gym-goers needing to boost their energy,.

This brings us to the different types available.

Hopefully, the following explanation of your options will help you to narrow down your choices depending on the nutritional benefits or what your favorite flavors and ingredients are, as choosing the right paleo bar comes down to your needs.

Oat-Based

Oat-based paleo protein bars are great for keeping hunger at bay for those who often get peckish, as the oats leave you feeling fuller for longer.

This is a key point to remember when selecting the bar you want.

Aside from being among the healthiest grains on earth, oats are a gluten-free whole grain and a brilliant source of vitamins, minerals, fiber and antioxidants.

Other benefits of including oats in your paleo protein bars are lower blood sugar and cholesterol levels, reduced constipation and protection against skin irritation.

Oats are a great way to stick to your strict diet and will leave you feeling full, which is why they’re often eaten for breakfast.

Nut-Based

Nut-based bars offer a great protein boost, but be sure to be mindful of how much fat is in them.

For example, almonds are great if you're avoiding dairy as they're calcium-rich, ensuring you still get your bone-building minerals.

Carb content is also a key aspect to keep an eye out for as hazelnuts, macadamia nuts and Brazil nuts are considered quite low in carbs, containing less than 2g of digestible carbs per serving.

This is in comparison to cashews which have approximately 8g.

Another benefit to choosing a nut-based paleo bar is that nuts have great anti-inflammatory properties, protecting and reducing injuries. They're also help reduce inflammation in people with kidney disease and diabetes.

A useful top tip to remember when selecting your nut-based bar is that chestnuts are by far the nut with the lowest fat and calories.

If you’re looking to slim down and cut back on the calories, chestnuts are great for this.

Just be sure that when selecting a nut -based paleo bar you choose one that's prominent in the nut you wish to consume.

Seed-Based

Seed-based paleo bars are a great option and are currently in demand.

Seeds are known as a super food, and for good reason. The best seeds to include in your diet are hemp seeds, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds and chia seeds.

Hemp seeds are known to contain essential amino acids and are composed of more than 30% pure protein, which is pretty impressive.

Sunflower seeds are perfect if you're looking to lose weight, as they help with healthy digestion and fiber intake.

Sesame seeds and pumpkin seeds are great for the management of cholesterol levels and enhancing immune response.

Chia seeds, as tiny as they are, hold potent, powerful, health-boosting properties. They're a source of high-quality fats and promote heart health.

Overall, seeds are a great thing to look for in the paleo protein bar you choose to give you more natural energy and come with their own health benefits.

Educate yourself on each seed and choose wisely. 

Fruit and Vegetable-Based

Fruit/vegetable-based bars are always a sure fire way to get healthy and fit whilst sticking to a strict diet regime.

We should all know by now the benefits of eating fruit and veg and the importance of consuming at least 5 portions a day.

However, be mindful of fruits you're selecting as some can be high in sugars.

Those looking to shed a few pounds may want to steer clear of certain fruit-based paleo protein bars.

Including fruit and veg is a great way to get naturally sourced vitamins and minerals which are essential for to the body and provide energy without adding any unnecessary fats.

These are the main base ingredients used for paleo protein bars.

Most bars will have a mixture of the different bases, so shop around until you find what you're looking for.

Be sure to look for products that are high protein, high fiber, and low sugar!

Now you know what type of paleo bar you prefer, you can look at finding a reputable brand. This can make all the difference.

Looking for a brand that has experience with other paleo products will mean their ingredients have been carefully selected.

Another factor to consider is customer feedback and ratings. After all, these are personal testimonies from people who have used and reviewed the product.

Here are a couple that meet the mark.

Julian Bakery

If you hop on the web or pop down to your local health store you'll be met with numerous products made by Julian Bakery.

This is a reputable brand who specialize in the dietary paleo industry.

Julian Bakery holds its own by focusing on everything paleo, and they offer one of the widest selections of bars.

Available to purchase in variety packs ranging from sweet treats to fruity favorites, and some of their products are even vegan or vegetarian.

Often receiving excellent customer feedback on Amazon, Julian Bakery certainly knows what they're doing.

RXBAR

RXBAR rate their products so highly and also offer sample packs, and who doesn’t love a sample pack.

They're upfront and direct about what goes into their protein bars. They state it front and center on their packaging.

No sneaky marketing plots and no hidden ingredients. It's hard not to trust this brand right off the bat.

Simplicity is their game, and with some of their products containing as little as three ingredients.

RXBAR believe that food should be consumed as nature intended it to be, and they're sticking to their guns.

This is a no-nonsense brand. If you're looking to make a clear and simple decision between bars then RXBAR come out on top!

LARABAR

LARABAR aim to create tasty, convenient snacks made from just a few, simple ingredients.

They also produce 'The mini Larabars' which are absolutely the perfect size to pop in your pocket if you're out for the day or working.

This brand has received great feedback for the texture of their paleo bars, being soft and easy to chew, almost gooey.

Each bar will provide you with a great source of fiber, healthy fats, and some protein.

They come in a large variety of flavors, so you don’t get stuck or bored with just one.

These treats have continued to stay popular over time as on the go healthy indulgent snacks that you can eat guilt-free.

A final factor that may sway you is the LARA way is recycling. If you’re all for being eco-friendly then purchasing snacks that come in individual wrappers would put you off straight away.

Well, good news!

Thanks to a partnership with Terracycle, LARABAR have ensured that the packaging and wrappers for all their bars is recyclable.

There are many more brands out there with great paleo protein bars. However, the ones listed offer some of the top products available on the market now.

That brings us on to our top paleo bar product picks.

There are lots of really good paleo energy protein bars to choose from. Our picks have been chosen based on customer ratings, feedback, and flavor profiles.

Within the RXBAR family, there's some stiff competition amongst the flavours, all of which are highly rated.

Enter the chocolate sea salt bar, an indulgent, luxurious snack.

Simplifying things by using minimal ingredients means you know exactly what you're getting.

This is a winning combination amongst RXBAR fans!

This product states clearly it has no added sugar, no gluten, no soy, no dairy, no GMO, no B.S.

This means it has received some of the highest customer ratings and has become a go-to bar for many.

It’s no surprise that RXBAR have made another appearance within our top picks with their successful variety pack protein bars.

Each RXBAR features a host of exclusive and powerful core ingredients, some of which are, egg whites, fruits and nuts, and finished up with 100% natural flavors.

This is a great place to start if you're new to your paleo diet as it will give you the chance to try their numerous and impressive amount of flavors.

This pack includes Blueberry, Mint Chocolate, Pumpkin Spice, Coconut Chocolate, Peanut Butter and Coffee Chocolate, Chocolate Sea Salt and Apple Cinnamon, meaning you’re bound to find the right flavor for you.

Best of all, again all these bars have no added sugar, no gluten, no soy, no dairy, no GMO, no nonsense!

You can't search the web for reputable paleo protein bars without seeing some of LARABARS products, and for good reason.

To begin with, the mini size is perfectly convenient as a convenient breakfast, on-the-go snack or as pre-or-post workout fuel.

With their sweet flavors, you can be sure that LARABAR only uses the stuff that's absolutely necessary in their products.

Variety packs, are a good starting point when trying any new products. Within this variety pack there’s something for the fruit and nut lovers out there, including flavors such as Cherry Pie, Cashew Cookie and Apple Pie.

These bars are Gluten-free, non-GMO, vegan, kosher, dairy-free.

Each product contains no more than 9 ingredients, pretty impressive these days with most products containing huge numbers of ingredients, half of which we can’t even pronounce.

LARABAR minis are a great way to introduce yourself to the brand. Each bar contains only 100 calories or less, good news for those of you who are calorie conscious.

Exo Cricket Cocoa Nut bar comes up trumps, delivering a great product.

This is created by a 3 star Michelin chef, yes a professional chef, which for some reason makes this product appear tastier already!

Now don’t be put off by the 'Cricket' title, and remember that insects are the most Paleo protein source on earth.

Why aren't we all eating insect bars?

The stigma attached?

While most bars get their basic protein from egg whites, by using crickets you're instantly getting 5x more protein.

If that’s still not enough to sway you, crickets have twice as much iron as spinach.

This product is paleo, gluten-free, dairy-free, grain-free, soy-free, full of protein, all-natural, and made with only real food ingredients.

With this product, you can really tap into natural energy. What makes this product truly unique is the blend of Maca and Guarana, two plants scientifically proven to reduce stress and tiredness.

Not only that, but it provides you with sustainable energy meaning no sugar crash.

A combination of dark chocolate, coconut, and dark black coffee gives this product a different bittersweet taste, perhaps not for those looking for a super sweet treat.

Paleo-friendly and high in fiber, this is a great product to grab on your way to work, for those with a busy long day ahead, for students wanting exam food, or even for fitness fanatics.

The Simple Squares Organic Snack Bar is another great one to check out, having received a ton of great reviews and feedback.

They've hit the nail on the head in term of what's required in a paleo protein bar, ie. high protein, low sodium, low sugar.

TASTY Grass-Fed Beef Bars are sugar-free, MSG-free, gluten-free, nitrate/nitrite-free and paleo-friendly.

These high quality, junk free bars bring a uniquely different approach to paleo bars.

 They're made with 100% grass-fed beef, making them substantial and filling.

The Paleo Sunbutter Protein Bar by Julian Bakery is an Amazon top pick for paleo bars and can be a complete protein meal replacement.

If you run out of time or need a quick bite in replace of a meal than these bars will be sure to fill you up.

With a calorie content of 150 it makes it so easy to reach your weight loss goal.

The Pegan Protein Bar Gingersnap Cookie by Julian Bakery has to be mentioned, as being vegan and paleo-friendly this product is a great choice for strict specific diets.

Julian Bakery advises that this bar can get quite hard when cold so simply warm up and the bar will return to its soft, gooey state.

The flavors included within the Caveman Foods Primal Performance Variety Pack are Dark Chocolate Cherry Nut, Maple Nut, Wild Blueberry Nut, Almond Cashew, and Dark Chocolate Almond Coconut.

There's a great range available.

These have been rated as a great product with a variety of nuts and are certified paleo, delivering an excellent source of lean protein.

Understanding which bars do what they claim to can be difficult with everyone claiming to have the healthiest paleo safe protein bars out there

All the products shown are available from Amazon, so you can see firsthand the personal testimonies and feedback ratings all these products have been given.

When buying any paleo protein bar, be sure to view this simple food guide in order to establish whether they're truly paleo-friendly.

Now you have the necessary knowledge, you can go out and buy the right paleo protein bar for you.

After reviewing all the products mentioned, it must be said, it's no wonder everyone is a bit confused about all things paleo.

With not much out there on the web, things can get muddled and before you know it you’re being shown things that are certainly non-paleo!

With this comprehensive paleo guide, we wanted to get down to the facts.

Now, with all your new-found knowledge, you can go on to find the best paleo protein bars and best paleo protein powders out there for you.