“Sugar-Free” can mean different things to different people. For example, some people may consider the white or brown granulated version as “sugar”, but they think raw honey or agave nectar is not. Other people put all caloric sweeteners in the “sugar” category.
Something to keep in mind about honey: the raw version has more vitamins and micronutrients than filtered or pasteurized honey, says Tyler Daniels, author of Paleo Crock Pot Recipes.
Benefits of Avoiding Sugar:
One of the biggest causes of fat storage has to do with sugar and the hormone insulin. Essentially, it can send a message to the brain to store fat if you are eating a lot of sugar and/or simple carbs in your diet.
According to John Chatham, author of Paleo for Beginners, eating sugar on a regular basis can lead to insulin resistance with a fluctuation of blood sugar levels. By avoiding sugar, you can maintain a more consistent blood sugar level and thereby reduce fatigue.
That sugary donut for breakfast may be the culprit of having low energy, and many people just assume that they need to drink more coffee!
Consider This…
When looking for a sugar free protein bar, some shoppers simply want to find a low-carb snack. If this is you, check out raw or vegan protein bars, as they can be very low in carbs (ie the Live Pumpkin Bar has 5 grams of sugar) even though agave nectar is one of the ingredients.
These clean protein bars also provide healthy fats and other nutrients which provide give you energy without spiking your blood sugar levels.
For This Discussion…
For this discussion, “sugar” will encompass all sweeteners except for those that are calorie-free. Natural foods that happen to be sweet, like dates or raisins, will not be considered a sugar.
Therefore, protein bars that contain ingredients like raw honey or agave nectar will not be included on this list. However, bars that contain dates, other dried fruits or sugar alcohols can be on the list. So, on with the show…
The PaleoLife Bar is high in protein (17 grams) and high in good fats but low in sugar (2 grams). Coconut, Cocoa and cinnamon enhances the flavor.
This bar is rich and chocolate-y and is sweet because of the maltitol syrup (sugar alcohol). It’s high in healthy coconut fats, which is also considered an immune booster, but the protein-per-serving count is only 2 grams. Sugar is 1 gram per serving.
Quest Nutrition Protein BarsQuest Protein Bars are known for having high protein content and very low sugar because they are sweetened with stevia and erythritol. I would consider these sugar-free protein bars. They contain natural ingredients, are gluten-free and are high in fiber as well.
They come in a variety of different flavors (see below), all of which receive high ratings. They also are well-priced, at about $2 a bar when purchased in bulk (box of 12 bars).
Warning: Don’t read this list below or you will get very hungry.
If you want to make the switch to a healthier protein bar, you may think you are short on choices. I mean, when they take out all of the sugars, wheat and other processed garbage of regular protein bars – what’s left, right?