The Absolute Best Pre Workout Snack Bars
Are you rushed for time, and find yourself grabbing a protein, cereal or snack bar before you hit the gym? It’s important to eat before you train.
But. What is the best pre-workout snack bar?
In this blog post, we're diving into the world of pre-workout snack bars, exploring the top contenders for that perfect pre-gym pick-me-up.
We’ll unveil some delicious and muscle-boosting options that will keep you energised and on top of your game. It's time to satisfy those cravings and elevate your workout experience like never before!
Pre Workout Snack vs Pre Workout Meal
Your body needs fuel to workout, whatever the time of day that you train. Depending on how long you have before you train and how it fits into your schedule or meal times, could determine whether you go for a pre-workout snack or pre-workout meal.
If you work out first thing before you start your day and you had 1 hour before, you could eat a more filling breakfast such as porridge, oats or eggs.
However, if you have less than an hour to get to your gym session, a light snack would be a better option, such as a piece of fruit, protein bar or dried fruit snack.
Depending on your goals, workout routine and time available could determine whether a pre-workout snack or meal is best for you.
What Makes a Good Pre-Workout Snack Bar?
When you work out, your body needs energy in order to complete the physical activity at hand.
The goal of pre-workout nutrition is to give your body the fuel it needs to exercise at an optimal level while also avoiding excess calories that may cause weight gain or water retention. As such, there are a few key nutrients that are important when it comes to pre-workout nutrition.
There are a lot of pre-workout snack bars on the market, but not all of them are created equal. Some bars have too much sugar or unhealthy ingredients, while others don't have enough protein to give you the energy you need for your workout.
Here's what you should look for in a good bar:
High-quality protein. Look for at least 15 grams of protein per serving. This will help keep you feeling full and satisfied during your workout so that you don't overeat later on.
Low sugar content. Most bars have around 10 grams of sugar per serving, but some can have up to 20 or more grams. This makes it nothing more than a glorified chocolate/candy bar.
Look for bars that have less than 5 grams of sugar per serving and try to avoid any with artificial sweeteners like sucralose and aspartame (which can cause headaches).
Good mix of carbs and fats. Look for a bar that has a good balance between both carbs and fats so that it doesn't spike your blood sugar levels too high or low during your workout.
The best protein bars carb content will be from fiber, not refined carbs or sugars.
The Best Pre-Workout Snack Bars
Barebells Protein Bars
Barebells Protein Bars are the perfect pre workout snack bar. There are 20g of protein in most flavours, however the new soft bars in peanut caramel and caramel choco flavours include 16g and the vegan options 15g. They’re a great way to get your body ready for a hard workout.
Each Barebells Protein Bar has a unique flavour that will keep your taste buds satisfied while you’re burning fat, building muscle and getting in shape.
Barebells Protein Bars no added sugar and best of all, they taste great!
Nutritional information based on best-selling Caramel Cashew
Per pack/portion:
Energy KJ: 835
Calories: 199
Fat : 8.3 g
of which Saturates : 4.2 g
Carbohydates : 14 g
of which Sugar : 1.7 g
Fibre : 4.3 g
Protein : 20 g
Salt : 0.11 g
Price:
£2.49 per individual bar or £24.99 for a pack of 12 bars. You can also get a Mixed Case Taster Box including 6 bars for £14.99.
Pro’s
- Delicious Taste
- Great range of flavours
- 2 vegan options available
- No added sugar
- Large protein content
Trek Protein Flapjacks
TREK’s Protein Flapjacks keep you fuller for longer as a pre-workout snack to grab on the go.
TREK bars deliver long-lasting energy, are 100% Plant based, include natural protein, no artificial ingredients and keeps as much nutritional value as possible through minimal processing.
Nutritional information based on Trek’s Cocoa Oat Protein Flapjack
Per pack/portion:
Energy KJ: 952
Calories: 227
Fat : 11 g
of which Saturates : 5.2 g
Carbohydates : 21.9 g
of which Sugar : 14 g
Fibre : 1.9 g
Protein : 9.2 g
Salt : 0.44 g
Price: £15.99 for a full case of 16 bars or get Trek Bars Best-Seller Bundle including 64 Bars for £57.56 saving 10%.
Pro’s
- Range of flavours
- Cheaper option
- Vegan
- Gluten Free
- Dairy Free
Grenade Protein Bars
Grenade Protein Bars are the ultimate snack bar for anyone who's on the go and looking for a high-protein snack. These bars are designed to give you all the energy and nutrients you need to power through your workouts and get the most out of every minute at the gym.
Grenade Bars are available in a variety of flavours including new Oreo, Chocolate Chip Salted Caramel, Lemon Cheesecake and White Chocolate Salted Peanut with every bar containing at least 20g of protein.
Nutritional information based on Grenade Oreo
Per pack/portion:
Energy KJ: 974
Calories: 233
Fat : 10 g
of which Saturates : 5.6 g
Carbohydates : 20 g
of which Sugar : 1 g
Fibre : 1.2 g
Protein : 21 g
Salt : 0.35 g
Price: £2.59 for a single bar or £27.99 for a full box of 12 bars.
Pro’s
- High protein content
- Low sugar
- Popular brand
- Layered bars with incredible taste
Fulfil Vitamin & Protein Bars
The Fulfil Protein Bar is a great pre-workout snack. It has a lot of the same ingredients as most pre-workout supplements, but in a much more convenient package.
They have a perfect balance of protein, carbs and fat, which makes them a great snack for fuel before your workout.
The bars come in four flavours including Salted Caramel, Peanut & Caramel, Chocolate Caramel and Chocolate Brownie. Each bar contains 14-15g of protein, low sugar and less than 200 calories per bar.
Nutritional information based on Fulfil Salted Caramel Protein Bar
Per pack/portion:
Energy KJ: 619
Calories: 148
Fat : 6 g
of which Saturates : 3.6 g
Carbohydates : 11.2 g
of which Sugar : 1.2 g
Fibre : 2.5 g
Protein : 14.8 g
Salt : 0.25 g
Price: £2.39 per individual bar or £32.99 for a full case of 15 bars.
Pro’s
- Includes 8 vitamins
- 30% of your daily allowance
- Great taste
Eat Natural Protein Packed Fruit & Nut Bars
Eat Natural Protein Bars are a great pre workout snack bar. They are made with high quality ingredients and are low in sugar but high in protein.
Eat Natural Protein Packed bars are available in Salted Caramel & Peanuts and Peanut & Chocolate flavours.
Eat Natural Protein Packed Bars contain a minimum of 10 grams of protein, as well as 3 grams of fibre per serving. This makes them an excellent choice for those who want to eat healthy snacks before working out or exercising.
Nutritional information based on Eat Natural Protein Packed Salted Caramel & Peanuts Bar
Per pack/portion:
Energy KJ: 931
Calories: 223
Fat : 12.8 g
of which Saturates : 2.3 g
Carbohydates : 14.1 g
of which Sugar : 8.9 g
Fibre : 2.4 g
Protein : 11.7 g
Salt : 0.2 g
Price: £1.29 per individual bar or £13.50 for a full case of 12 bars.
Pro’s
- Low cost
- Packed with healthy ingredients
- Recyclable wrappers
- No artificial flavours, colours or preservatives
KIND Protein Bars
KIND Whole Nut Protein Bars are the perfect nutritious pre-workout snack, high in fibre and gluten free available in Crunchy Peanut Butter and Dark Chocolate Nut.
KIND protein bars include 12g of protein, are high in fibre, gluten free and include no artificial colours, flavours or preservatives.
Nutritional information based Whole Nut Protein Bars - Crunchy Peanut Butter
Per pack/portion:
Energy KJ: 1054
Calories: 251.5
Fat : 17.5 g
of which Saturates : 4.25 g
Carbohydates : 12 g
of which Sugar : 8 g
Fibre : 4.8 g
Protein : 12 g
Salt : 0.34 g
Price: £22.99 for a full case of 12 bars.
Pro’s:
- Gluten Free
- Plant Protein
Pulsin Protein Bars
Pulsin's range of tasty protein snack bars & keto protein bars are packed full of feel good nutritional goodness and balanced with the right amount of super ingredients to power you through your workout and keep you fuller for longer.
Pulsin’s entire range of protein & snack bars are gluten free, suitable for vegetarians & plant-based.
Nutritional information based on Pulsin’s Cookie Dough Vegan Protein Bar
Per pack/portion:
Energy KJ: 949
Calories: 227
Fat : 10 g
of which Saturates : 5.4 g
Carbohydates : 12.4 g
of which Sugar : 0.7 g
Fibre : 13.9 g
Protein : 14.8 g
Salt : 0.45 g
Price: From £1.99 for an individual bar and from £21.99 for a full case of 12.
Pro’s:
- Plant based
- Keto options
- Vegan
- Gluten Free
- Dairy Free
PHD Protein Bars
PhD Smart Protein Bars are delicious with high protein and low sugar perfect for your pre-workout fix.
PhD Smart Bars deliver 20g of quality protein and less than 2.1g sugar (depending on flavour). In addition to this, Smart Bars are palm oil free.
Nutritional information based on Chocolate Peanut Butter
Per pack/portion:
Energy KJ: 998
Calories: 239
Fat : 10 g
of which Saturates : 6.8 g
Carbohydates : 23 g
of which Sugar : 1.9 g
Fibre : 0 g
Protein : 20 g
Salt : 0.36 g
Price: £25.99 for a full case of 12 bars.
Pro’s
- 6 delicious flavours
- Vegan
- Dairy Free
To Wrap Things Up…
Not only do you want to ensure that your chosen Pre-Workout Protein Snack Bar is full of the right nutrition to keep you energised for your session, but is delicious too to curb your cravings.
Our favourite would be one of the Barebells bars, which have a high protein content with no added sugar and a range of tasty flavours.
The new Soft Protein Bars in Peanut Caramel and Caramel Choco are similar to Mars and Snickers, with all of the taste and none of the guilt!