Overview
They’re marketed by Anabar to be the “BEST TASTING protein bar you’ve ever had.” They come in seven bold flavors. They’re a little more expensive than other protein bars. Are they worth the extra buck?
With their initial launch of this product, Anabar actually sold out almost instantly, and there was a waiting period to purchase more. Since then, they’ve become a popular choice among the protein-consuming community. Read on to find out what the hype is about.
Ingredients and Nutrition Facts
What’s there to love about these protein bars? Well, each bar has 21g of good quality protein. The fat count at 11g is fairly standard, and this is likely where the extra calories in this bar come from. This bar contains no sugar alcohols, GMOs, or fillers (milk powder, soy protein, vegetable oil, etc.).
On the other hand, the fiber count isn’t impressive, at just 2 grams. 16g of sugar is too much for those looking to cut down their sugar intake. The calorie count of each bar is just under 300 calories, with the lowest at 275 calories.
The full ingredient list is in the image below.
Anabars have a relatively long ingredient list but are primarily whole-food based.
Taste and Popularity
Next, we’ll discuss what the protein-consuming community likes and dislikes about these bars.
Flavors:
- Milk Chocolate Monster Cookie Crunch
- White Chocolate Cookies & Creme
- White Chocolate Very Berry Crunch
- Milk Chocolate Campfire S’mores
- White Chocolate Fruity Cereal Crunch
- White Chocolate Cinnamon Swirl Crunch
- Milk Chocolate PB & Jelly
The look of these bars appears homemade, and it looks like the coating is made up of whey protein. It has a unique “brick” shape to it, which is very different from the long, flat look of a Quest bar or other typical protein bars.
The cinnamon flavor isn’t too strong, and it has a well-balanced flavor. The cookies and cream seems to be the fan favorite with an Oreo-like flavor. It has a true cookie and cream taste, while most cookies and cream bars are a bit off the mark. The s’mores flavor may be the most controversial, with reports of a chalky taste. However, some prefer it and enjoy the milk chocolate coating. The fruity cereal crunch is a popular breakfast bar choice.
The PB&J is a nostalgic choice and is a distinctive flavor for protein bars. This bar’s coating is less sticky than the other bars. The consistency is similar to the other flavors; not too chewy. Anabar nailed this flavor as it tastes exactly like a PB&J. Interestingly, this is the flavor with the least amount of calories at 275.
The texture certainly isn’t close to the chewy, overly-processed texture found in many protein bars on the market. Instead, it’s soft and easy to munch. No taffy texture here. This was a proud marketing point on Anabar’s website.
Some athletes are throwing these in the freezer, which can make the flavor a bit stronger and help you consume it slower. In particular, chilling the PB&J flavor is a popular method.
Are Anabars Healthy?
With a higher calorie and higher sugar level, be careful with these tasty treats. They’re 80-100 calories more than your typical protein bar and creep up to the “meal replacement” category.
The ingredient list is mostly based on whole-food ingredients, adding to its healthy value. They have some added sugars, which contribute to their delicious taste but can be an issue depending on your daily sugar intake goals.
Also, with no fillers and no GMOs, these tasty treats are one of the healthiest bars on the market. In general, though, these bars are healthy in terms of nutritional value and ingredients.
Anabars for Weight Loss
If you’re on a weight loss journey and looking for a low-calorie protein bar, this is probably not right for you. These bars are packed with calories and can be dangerous since they’re so delicious and munchable. Think of these almost as a meal replacement rather than your typical small snack.
If your goal is to use them as a meal replacement, then it could work with a weight-loss diet and help keep you full until the next meal. However, tread carefully with these calorie-dense bars.
Anabars for Bulking
These bars make it easy to bulk up. The high fat count and high-calorie count make an excellent intake during the bulking phase. For example, eating just three of these bars per day would add 1,100 calories to your daily intake.
The variety of flavors available also provides enough options to interest you all throughout the bulking season.
Side Effects
The only noticeable side effects to these bars may be craving the next bite. Check the ingredient label carefully if you have allergies. Some flavors contain nuts and soy. All flavors contain milk. These bars are made in a location that also processes other nuts, soy, and eggs.
Alternatives
Quest Bars
- Low-carb
- Similar protein content of 21g
- Chewier texture
- Wide variety of popular flavors
Outright Bars
- Variety of flavors
- Gluten-free
- Plant-based bars available
- 15g protein
One Protein Bars
- Similar amount of protein at 20g/bar
- Blend of milk protein isolate and whey protein isolate
- 18 flavors
- Only 1g of sugar
Conclusion
Regarding protein bars, the Anabar may be one of the tastiest and healthiest on the market. With 21 grams of protein and a crave-worthy taste, these bars are a healthy chocie for athletes and non-athletes alike.
