The Best Vegan Protein Bars

Running between meetings, traveling, venturing on a long bike ride — there are times when you just need a quick and convenient bite to satisfy your hunger and fuel your day. With so many snack options on the shelves, it’s hard to choose. We love a protein bar in a pinch and we found the top five vegan protein bars on the shelves for you to try today. Of course whole foods are always your best bet, but quality protein bars can provide the nourishment you need when you’re in a pinch. While grocery store shelves are filled with endless rows of options — and most come with unwanted sugar, artificial sweeteners and additives. For those looking for plant-based options, finding quality bars can be even more difficult so we’ve made it easier for you. We’ve rounded up the top five, all free from artificial colors, sweeteners, and fillers. Made with as many simple and whole food ingredients as possible, each option has at least 10 grams of plant-based protein and no more than 10 grams of sugar. Plus, there are gluten-free and paleo friendly options, too.  Grab one of these vegan protein bars next time you’re looking for a quick clean fuel that will satisfy your body and your taste buds. 5 Best Vegan Protein Bars REDD Plant Based Protein Bar REDD Plant Based Protein Bars combine hemp, pea, and pumpkin seeds to provide 10 grams of plant-based protein in every REDD protein bar. Naturally sweetened with dates and monk fruit extract, you won’t find more than 5 grams of sugar in these bars. While the ingredient list is a little bit longer than we’d like, REDD bars have added probiotics and prebiotics (aka fiber that feeds the probiotics) to support a healthy gut and adaptogens for an extra heath boost. REDD Plant Based Protein Bar, $22.50 for a pack of 8 Truwomen Plant Fueled Bars Craving something sweet but need fuel that will actually last? Then you need to try Truwomen Plant Fueled Bars’ fun dessert-inspired protein bar flavors like “Oh Oh Cookie Dough” and “Daydreaming About Donuts.” Brown rice protein and nuts pack in about 12 grams of protein per bar. Cassava flour made from the yuca root vegetable provides soft, chewy texture without grains or gluten. Bonus: Truwomen is run by women for women (but men and kids will enjoy these too!) Truwomen Plant Fueled Bars, $29.99 for a pack of 12 Aloha Organic Protein Bar Aloha uses simple ingredients to create an ideal balance of protein, fiber, and fat to keep you full and satisfied. Pumpkin and brown rice protein, nuts, and seeds are combined to provide about 14 grams of protein per bar. Added tapioca fiber means you get almost 13 grams of filling fiber, too. With each of their protein bars providing about 240 calories, you should think of this option as a mini meal rather than a snack. Aloha Organic Protein Bar, $22.16 for a pack of 12 Good! Snacks Protein Bar A protein bar that tastes good and is good for you. Good! Snacks Protein Bars‘ blend of fava bean and brown rice provides 15 grams of plant-based protein in crave worthy flavors like cookie, chocolate peanut butter, birthday, and blueberry. With about 10 grams of sugar per bar, this one is a slightly sweet option, but its soft texture and creamy coating will definitely satisfy. Good! Snacks Protein Bar,  $19.99 for a pack of 12 Nuzest Clean Lean Protein Bar Pea protein plus a variety of nutrient dense nuts and seeds like almonds, cashews, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, and chia seeds provide 14 grams of protein in every Clean Lean Protein Bar. With an ideal balance of protein, fats, and carbohydrates, you’ll get the fuel you need to feel your best and take on the day. Nuzest Clean Lean Protein Bar, $39.99 for a pack of 12

Healthy Beef Jerky? This Former Junk Food is Now a High-Protein Snack

Here’s a phrase that might sound like an oxymoron: healthy beef jerky. Traditionally, gas station jerkies like Slim Jims were straight-up junk food. They cured cheap meat with nitrates and nitrites (classified as “probably carcinogenic to humans” by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, by the way) and then loaded it with sodium, sugar, and artificial flavors and additives (um, yuck!). RELATED: 4 Reasons You Have Sugar Cravings Those still exist, but there’s a whole new category of healthy beef jerky, made by companies using high-quality, grass-fed beef (and also organic chicken, pork and turkey in some cases), which is higher in healthy fats like omega-3s and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) than grain-fed and finished beef. RELATED: The Paleo Diet, Explained What is Beef Jerky? Beef jerky is traditionally made by taking lean cuts of beef and then marinating them with sauces, spices and other additives. The meat is then processed by curing, smoking or drying it. The new healthier brands of jerky are dehydrating the meat or curing it with natural ingredients like salt and vinegar and skipping unhealthy additives. In many cases, they’re even adding additional nutritious ingredients, like antioxidant-rich spices and coconut oil. (Just still keep an eye out for excess sugar.) Health Benefits of Beef Jerky Beef jerky is a fast, easy, high-protein snack that’s low in carbs and perfect for after a workout or to throw in your travel bag. Beyond its protein punch, jerky can be a decent, though not great, source of some essential vitamins and minerals, including zinc, iron, folate and choline, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). What to Look For When Shopping For Jerky What’s the best way to know if the jerky you’re buying is healthy or not? First, you need to pay attention to the food labels. Look for jerky that has no added nitrates or nitrites—the preservatives that have been linked to certain types of cancer (as mentioned earlier). It’s also a good idea to choose meat that is grass-fed and organic, which offers more nutrients and less fillers and antibiotics than conventionally-raised meats. And remember to keep an eye out for sodium levels because most jerkies contain lots of salt, which is typically part of the curing process. You can also make your own at home, or check out these five healthy brands worth biting into. Healthy Beef Jerky Brands to Try 1. Lorissa’s Kitchen (Image: Lorissa’s Kitchen) Made with 100% grass-fed beef and other clean ingredients, Lorissa’s flavors—like Korean Barbeque—are super delicious. Lorissa’s original Tender Beef Steak Strips contain 9 grams of protein per serving, no preservatives and no added MSG or nitrites. The only downside is the sugar is a little high, so stick to a serving at a time. 2. Laura’s Lean Beef (Image: Laura’s Lean Beef) Laura’s doesn’t have as many fancy flavors as others, but it’s made with meat that’s both grass-fed and certified USDA organic. It’s high in protein and low in sugar. They also don’t add artificial ingredients, preservatives, erythorbate, nitrates, nitrites, or MSG. Laura’s Original Beef Jerky is gluten-free and has a whopping 11 grams of protein per serving. 3. The New Primal (Image: The New Primal) If Slim Jims were your jam, try The New Primal’s meat sticks, like the Cilantro Lime Turkey Sticks made with free-range turkey (with no added hormones or antibiotics), sea salt, and antioxidant-packed spices, or Habanero Pineapple, made with grass-fed beef. The Cilantro Lime Turkey sticks have 7g of protein and 45 calories per serving. The snacks are certified paleo and gluten-free, and Whole30-approved with 0 (yes, zero!) grams of sugar. 4. Wilde (Image: Wilde) Wilde makes jerky-based protein chips with chicken and pork, and minus the potato. Its Himalayan Pink Salt Chicken Chips, for instance, are made from 100% all-natural chicken breast and zero sugar. They’re high in protein (20 grams per bag), low-carb and gluten- and grain-free. RELATED: Coconut Oil Vs. Olive Oil: Which is Healthier? 5. EPIC (Image: EPIC) If you love cured meat, EPIC makes it all— Sesame Ginger Chicken bites, Venison Sea Salt and Pepper snack strips, and Bison Bacon Cranberry bars. EPIC combines protein with fruits, nuts, seeds and spices for some delicious flavor profiles. They also make bone broth, animal oils, and more, all of it produced with the highest, healthy standards—for both you and the planet.

12 Awesome Healthy Snacks On The Go

Healthy snacks are hard enough to pack as part of your normal routine, so when it comes to traveling, packing them can be more stressful than deciding between wedges or flats. You’ve heard it a thousand times: Be prepared, pack smart, snack smart, blah blah blah. But there’s more to life than boring snacks! I’ve done all the hard work for you and I’m sharing my favorite fresh and packable snacks. Of course, they’re also healthy! And, since I like to be prepared for pretty much everything … pack both the wedges and the flats. 12 Awesome Healthy Snacks On The Go Popcorn You have choices here, friends. America’s favorite salty, crunchy snack is perfect for traveling when chosen properly. Boom Chicka Pop is non-GMO and comes in flavors you will heart, especially the sweet & salty combos like caramel & cheddar. I also love the extra virgin olive oil flavor from Popcorn Indiana’s Himalayan Pink Salt Popcorn  and this one is also non-GMO. While you’re doing all that crunchy, don’t forget that popcorn is loaded with antioxidants and has about 3 grams of fiber for 3 1/2 cups. Kind Bars There are million bars to choose from, but you really need to know what you’re doing here since not all bars are created equal. My go to? Kind! They are generally super clean and yuck free, and they have a bunch of new flavors! Dark chocolate almond and coconut, Black truffle almond and sea salt or Dark chocolate almond mint all get a hardy, yes, please from me and I’m sure you’ll agree. YumButter Take your nut butter game up with these individual packs of nut butters that are perfect for travel. You’ll consume a wide variety of nutrients and a whole lot of flavor because this nut butter includes almonds, organic chia seeds and hemp seeds, Goji berry powder, lucuma powder and Himalayan pink salt. Pack one of these with a piece of fruit, and you’re all set. GimMe Organic Roasted Seaweed Snacks A salty snack to keep you away from those rest stop chips and pretzels. Aside from being super satisfying, they’ll give you 15% of your recommended daily dose of vitamin C and a bit of calcium. And, they’re fun to eat. The Good Bean Dried Chickpeas Can you say protein, fiber, antioxidants and crunch? OK, don’t say it, just eat them. These power-packed snacks come in both sweet and savory flavors so all of your cravings are covered. Vital Choice Wild Salmon Jerky Strips Great for a take-along option, each pouch contains 6 ounces of wild sockeye and keta salmon packed with omega-3s. They’re flavored with mild organic herbs and spices, a pinch of sea salt, a hint of smoky flavor, and a touch of organic sugar. No gluten, nitrates, nitrites, or artificial preservatives. You don’t need to opt for processed meats full of nitrates anymore just because, well, it’s lunchtime and a ham sammie seamed easy. And chances are your diet could use more fish, right? Nature’s Path Qi’a Superfoods Hot Oatmeal Creamy Coconut Your travel breakfast doesn’t need to come in a miniature box with a cartoon character on it. These packets will be your new best travel companion as you take your oats eating to a whole new level. Do you add hemp and chia to your oats? No need here. It’s already covered. Boom. The Chia Co. Individual Chia Shots While I don’t usually recommend taking shots while driving, I’ll say a-OK to these chia packets, especially sprinkled in yogurt, which you can pick up at any rest stop. But texting while driving … NEVER. Crunchies Freeze-Dried Fruit Ranging from dried fruits to dried veggies, alike, these are another great option for that clearly necessary travel crunch. You’ll love how they melt in your mouth … way better than candy. Carrington Farms Flax Pax You know that traveling can wreak havoc on your bowels. You need fiber to keep you regular and these packs are great to sprinkle on your meals for a little extra. Sold in perfectly-portioned packages, they are great for any meal and  no measuring required. Epic Epic Bar is a great way to get your protein in in bar form. For all you paleo and gluten-free peeps, this is a home run. Made with grass-fed buffalo, one bar will give you 11 grams of protein and most definitely keep you satisfied until bbq time. They’re pretty much epic. Pun intended. Dang Are you as coconut-obsessed as we are? Thought so. Add these chips to your travel bag. Stat. Munch, top, sprinkle … eat them any way you wish. Dang, they’re good. (Sorry, had to!) So the next time you travel, before you decide that vacation equals inevitable weight gain, pack along these healthy snacks to keep you on track wherever you may go. Whether you’re racking up the frequent flier miles or just a once-in-a-while vacationer, you have the means to snack smart at any and all destinations. Bon voyage! More reading: If you’re following a vegan diet, we have two great guides for vegan-friendly road trip snacks and road trip meals. Happy trails!