I’ve recently tried a few protein bars on the market, and I thought I’d give you a quick overview of each one so you can make a more informed decision. When it comes to flavour, though, it is very subjective, so chill. And none of these brands are paying me, so this is as unbiased as I can get. So here are the best protein bars you can get in India. 

Quest Bar

Macros

200 Calories; 21g Protein; 20g Carbs (14g Fibre); 9g Fat

So I tried the Cookies and Cream flavour, and I must say, it caught me off guard with how good it was! It has thick cookie dough with bits of crumbly cookies in it. I wouldn’t say they’re quite as Oreo as the package may suggest, but it’s nice. There’s just a touch of a bitter aftertaste, but that’s probably just the Stevia, as it’s sugar-free. The texture is smooth, but it’s very dense. It’ll keep you feeling satiated for a while. Another big plus is the huge variety of flavours.

Quest Nutrition has quite a massive fan following in the US, with a lot of pro bodybuilders swearing by it. Dr Layne Norton, PhD in Nutrition Science, Pro Powerlifter and physique coach, even endorses it on his podcast. That usually doesn’t say much, but knowing this guy’s reputation, he wouldn’t support anything he doesn’t use himself. It certainly adds credibility. On Amazon, at the time this article was written, they’re around Rs. 5,236 for a pack of 12, which is about Rs. 463 per bar. Pretty hefty price if you ask me. But hey, it’s world famous. Go for it if you can shell out the clams.

Rating: 9/10

Buy them on Amazon.in

Hyp Bar

Macros

236 Calories; 20g Protein; 26.7g Carbs (5.5g Fibre); 7.8g Fat

Hyp Bars aren't as tasty as QuestBars, but they're kind of good. I tried the Peanut Butter and Chocolate flavour. The chocolate certainly tastes chocolatey, and it has peanuts in it, but you won’t get your peanut butter fix, even though it has whole peanuts in it. The nutritional profile is decent, but I feel Quest still gives you more bang for the calories with more micronutrients and more fibre. They also have a sugar-free version.

Hyp is an Indian startup based in Bangalore dedicated to making top quality protein bars to help you stay on the straight and narrow even on hectic schedules. They seem earnest, and they will grow if we all give them the right kind of feedback. They have a great range of protein snacks, starting at just Rs. 50 per bar, and home-grown, if that’s important to you. I’ll certainly go for them again if I want to save a few bucks.

Rating: 6/10

Buy them on Amazon.in

RiteBite

Macros

258 Calories; 20g protein, 31.7g carbs (5g Fibre); 12.5g Fat

If you’re in India, you’ve probably seen these around all over the place, at every In & Out and 24 Seven at petrol stations, and general stores too. That’s probably because RiteBite has the dominant share of the Indian market with 55%.They can serve as a full meal for me, and two if I’m ravenous, even if they are just about 67g bars. I’ve usually gone with the Choco Berry flavour of the Max Protein variety, which I feel is a safe bet.

If you’re extra hungry, go for Max Protein Professional, which pack a massive 30g of proteins and over double the carbs of Quest Bars, with a significantly higher number of total calories. But then, they’re also a full 100g each. The flavour is okay; it’s crunchy but decently flavoured. Price-wise they range from Rs. 91.5 to Rs. 120 per bar, so pick according to your budget.

Rating: 7/10

Buy them on Amazon.in

Yoga Bar

Macros

258.7 Calories, 21.8g Protein; 18.5g Carbs (10.52g Fibre); 14.13g Fat

These are probably my favourite bars when it comes to flavour. They’re delicious, and they feel a lot more natural and flavourful than any of the other bars. I’d recommend the Chocolate Cranberry flavour for sure as it’s got juicy bits in it. The Chocolate Brownie and Choco Almond are very dry and can get a bit cloying.They are also relatively new to the market and are making quite a dent with their unique approach. Yoga Bar appeals to the ‘natural’ crowd and claims their bars “contain no artificial colours, flavors, preservatives, high fructose corn syrup, or hydrogenated oil, no chemicals, nothing unpronounceable” (like dihydrogen monoxide?). But let’s not get into that now. The bottom line is, it’s tasty, filling and quite nutritious with a decent amount of protein and a macro profile very similar to QuestBars (but much tastier). You get them at about Rs. 116 per bar if you pick up a box of 6, up to about Rs. 125 per bar.

Rating: 9/10

Buy them on Amazon.in

The Verdict

It depends on your resources and your goals. If you’re dripping money, go for Quest Bars, but I would still say Yoga Bars are my favourite at a fraction of the cost. If you want to get more of a pump for your buck, you can give Max Protein Professional for sure. And to save you money, Hyp is the way to go.

But whichever way the protein bar crumbles, I’d say stuff yourself with real wholesome food for best results.

Did I miss your favourite protein bar? Put it in the comments