Best meal replacement bars

A meal replacement bar makes eating healthy while juggling a busy schedule easy. These protein bars are the tastiest of the bunch!

A quest protein bar is surrounded by cookies and milk on a countertop.
(Image credit: Amazon)

Opting for meal replacement bars instead of just skipping a meal is a healthier option, especially for folks who have a busy life. Meal replacement is generally a fancy way of saying protein bar, a bar with enough nutrients to keep you going even when you can't sit down for a real meal. They come in various sizes and flavors, and it's all about finding the one that you prefer the most. We've collected our favorites for you here. 

Best overall

A box of chocolate chip flavored quest protein bars.

(Image credit: Amazon)

Quest nutrition bars

A tasty choice

Nobody wants to skip out on breakfast and then choke down a dry protein bar that doesn't taste like anything good. Quest nutrition bars are not only chock full of the nutrients you need, but they also come in hard to deny flavors! These bars have 4 grams of carbs, 1 gram of sugar, and a whopping 21 grams of protein, making them an excellent choice for any lifestyle. There are twenty different flavors, including options like chocolate chip cookies, cinnamon rolls, and birthday cake! This pick also has more protein and less sugar than many choices, making it an excellent option for athletes or folks who need to regulate their sugar intake. 

Best for allergies

A black labeled RXbar in its packaging.

(Image credit: Amazon)

RXbar

Know exactly what you're eating

For folks with food sensitivities and allergies, knowing precisely what you're putting in your body is crucial. RXbars offer a tasty treat that lists out exactly what is in their bar right on the package! They come in various flavors, including chocolate sea salt, lemon, and mixed berry, making it easy to find the flavor you fall in love with. Each bar has 12 grams of protein, 5 grams of fiber, and is gluten free. 

Best variety

A variety pack of One protein bars in white wrappers.

(Image credit: Amazon)

ONE protein bars

Try them all

One of the downfalls of trying a new kind of meal replacement bar is trying to figure out the flavors you'll enjoy. One protein bars make that easier by having a variety of flavors and offering them in a multipack. You can snag four flavors in one package. You get twelve bars, with four each of Birthday Cake, Almond Bliss, Maple Glazed Doughnut, and Peanut Butter Pie. One Protein Bars have 1 gram of sugar, 20 grams of protein and are gluten-free!

Best post workout snack

A box of MET-Rx protein bars.

(Image credit: Amazon)

MET-rx protein bars

Serious protein

When working out, protein is crucial to being able to build muscle and recover between gym trips. MET-RX protein bars are made with athletes in mind and can help to deliver big results. You get twelve bars split between their super cookie crunch and chocolate chip cookie dough flavors. These bars have 32 and 30 grams of protein, respectively, making them the most protein-heavy bars available! 

Bottom line

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There is a considerable variety of meal replacement bars. Some of them have higher sugar content or are produced with athletes in mind. Our favorite option is Quest nutrition bars. They come in a range of tasty flavors, can be purchased in boxes of twelve at a time, and contain 21 grams of protein. Since they only have 1 gram of sugar, they're also great for folks monitoring sugar intake, and they're even gluten-free!

Jen Karner

Jen Karner is a staff writer on Fit&Well's sister brands at Future Plc. Specializing in tech and gaming writing, Jen has written for Android Central, iMore, Windows Central, and other huge titles. Jen covers everything from phones to gaming laptops and helps readers decide what products really are worth the money. Jen is also the author of a paranormal horror novel.