Selecting a protein bar can be difficult. Even more difficult is finding a Nut Free Protein Bar! I have read every protein bar label that I could get my hands on to compile this list.
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When to Choose a Protein Bar
A protein bar is a good option for an on-the-go snack. Sometimes, you will find yourself out and about and in need of a bite to eat. A protein bar would fix this issue!
Protein is key in maintaining muscle. Many snack options lack protein. That means opting for a protein bar as a snack may be a way to increase your daily protein intake!
What Makes a Bar, a Protein Bar
Determining what is considered a protein bar and a granola bar is typically determined by their carbohydrate to protein ratio.
For the purposes of this list I am only going include bars that have at least 10 grams of protein per serving. This is a bit of an arbitrary cutoff, but it had to be drawn somewhere.
What to Look For in a Protein Bar
When deciding on what protein bar you choose there are many factors to consider.
Price: In order to consume the bar, you have to be able to afford the bar. Protein bars can get in the $4 range. That’s just ridiculous!
Calories: The difference between protein bars and some candy bars is just the protein content. Keep in mind the full nutrition picture!
Taste: If a bar disgusts you, you’re not going to eat it. Try a couple and see what you lean towards.
Fiber: Many people don’t get enough fiber in their diet. If you are one of those people, this may be a chance to get a few extra grams in your day!
Plant-Based: Protein mainly comes from whey, soy, or seeds. Whey protein is a complete protein while plant-based proteins lack some amino acids. Both can easily fit into a balanced diet, just be aware of your options.
To learn more about the differences in types of protein, read my article ‘Animal-Based Protein vs. Plant-Based Protein: Which Should You Choose?‘
Added Sugar: In order to cover the taste of protein and make the bars enjoyable more times than not there is an overwhelming amount of added sugars in protein bars.
Sugar Alcohols: Similar to added sugars, sugar alcohols are also commonly found in protein bars.
As you can see there are endless aspects to consider when choosing a protein bar.
And guess what? I didn’t even list them all!
Nut Free Protein Bars
A lot of bars use nuts as a texture or flavor component in their recipes. Finding a bar that is both nut free and has at least 10g of protein is difficult. I have hunted down as many protein bars as I possibly could to compile this list!
GoMacro Bars
Every flavor of GoMacro Bars are not nut-free but the oatmeal chocolate chip, sunflower butter with chocolate, and maple sea salt flavors should be! In addition to the 12g of protein, these bars are quick large, filling, and tasty!
RX Bars
RX Bars also boast 12g of protein per bar. These bars require some special attention, not every flavor is nut free. Also, they may be processed in the same facility as nuts.
One Bar
One Bars are one of my favorite protein bars. There are about 20g of protein and 1g of sugar in each bar. Not every flavor is nut free and they are processed on the same machinery as nuts. Check out the maple glazed donut flavor for a nut-free option!
Nick’s Swedish Style Snack Bar
Nick’s bars have about 14g of protein and are more of a sweet option! The chocolate caramel flavor doesn’t contain nuts but may contain traces!
88 Acres
These bars get their protein from seeds. 88 Acres bars may have a bit higher calorie count but they only use whole and simple ingredients to reach the 12g of protein.
FulFil Vitamin and Protein Bars
This bar has 15g of protein, just be sure to not grab a flavor that obviously has nuts. I suggest trying the chocolate salted caramel flavor.
Gatorade Whey Protein Recover Bars
Surprisingly, the bar has no nuts. Remember, a bar doesn’t have to advertise being nut-free to be nut-free. That isn’t really a part of Gatorades ideal customers needs. So, always check the label to see if you are able to have a bar! Best of all? This bar has 20g of protein!
No Nuts!
As the name may lead you to believe, there are no nuts in their protein bars. They are also committed to serving those who have to avoid nuts, so their facility is also nut-free! In addition, these bars have 9g of fiber. That’s pretty dang good!
Hungry Buddha Bars
I have never even heard of these bars before but on my LONG journey of scouring protein bar labels I found these! The lemon blueberry is nut free, has 160 calories, and 10g of protein. The thing is, they may be difficult to find. If you’re having trouble you can always get them off Amazon.
Feel Bars
These bars don’t just come with nut-free claims. Each flavor also has additional benefits. The matcha latte flavor has caffeine for a boost of energy.
Nut-Free Protein Bar Takeaways
- Protein bars are a great way to get some quick, on-the-go protein.
- There are many factors to consider (taste, nutrition, price, etc.) when choosing a bar.
- Many protein bars that are labeled nut-free or do not have any type of nut on their ingredient label will still disclose that they are made in the same facility nuts and tree nuts are processed in.
- Never take for granted a product is nut-free. Recipes, ingredients, and facilities change.
If you have found any other protein bars (with at least 10g of protein) and are also nut-free, leave it in the comments down below! This allows others to also know what is available on the market!
Craving More?
Are you looking for some other easy protein items? Make your own! Here are a couple of my recipes you should taste:
- Peanut Butter Protein Balls
- Creamy Lemonade Protein Smoothie
- Healthy Cinnamon Protein Donuts
- 23 High Protein Meal Prep Ideas
Disclosure
Check with the producer and on the product before consuming. Recipes and ingredients change over time. If a protein bar is nut-free at one time, it may not always be!
Keep in mind that even if a protein bar is nut-free, doesn’t mean it has not been processed in the same facilities as nuts!
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Since most of these bars are made by and most likely on the same equipment as other bars that contain nuts—they aren’t truly nut free/nut safe.
Great point! I am unable to ensure any bars are not made at the same factories or made on the same equipment as nuts!
This really isn’t a helpful list. “Should be” nut free or “some flavors don’t have nuts…but are processed in the same facility as nuts” doesn’t help any more than reading through the ingredients and doing my own research. The title makes it seem like this should be a more thorough list than it is. If you want to avoid nuts for a reason other than allergies, this is a good start. If you are looking for a way to increase protein and fiber despite a severe nut allergy, this is a waste of time.
Hi Lil! This is a good point! Allergies are extremely personal. Unfortunately, manufacturing practices and even ingredients can change without warning. It is always recommended to check the labels prior to consumption. My goal with this list was to give some ideas that can be nut-free and has at least 10g of protein!
Many of your items are “may contain” or “processed on equipment” and for an allergy client even a trace amount for many may be fatal. A bar cannot be listed according to the fda as nut free when cross contamination is present. So to list these as nut free is irresponsible of you in my opinion as a nutritionist and this article did nothing but show your lack of understanding as an “expert”
Hi Joanne! Thanks for the feedback! Those are very true points! I did make sure to mention that ingredients can often change without warning and that the bars may be processed on the same equipment that processes nuts. These are great starting points to consider. I agree, it would be irresponsible to make a clear cut statement saying people with nut allergies CAN have these options. Again, thank you for making this point and hopefully it brings clarity to some that may have just skipped to the list!
I appreciate this list as a starting point. My 14YO son just had his first reaction to tree nuts, so I am only beginning our journey of finding nut-free alternatives. Just a note: we learned that dates are also tree nuts, and they seem to be in all of the feel bars. We are pretty sure my son’s reaction was to dates and/or cashews in a larabar, so we’re paying particular attention to these two nuts!
Hey Kate! Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment! I can’t even imagine how difficult this may feel right now! Fortunately, there are beginning to be a lot more understandings and resources for people with allergies!
Thank you for the note on the date! When researching I used https://www.foodallergy.org/living-food-allergies/food-allergy-essentials/common-allergens/tree-nut and https://dhhs.ne.gov/MCAH/MI-OtherFoodAllergens-Graph.pdf. I didn’t see dates there but allergies are a strange beast! All the best!