Best Low-Salt Protein Bars Brands

When it comes to protein bars, the choices are endless, yet finding a nutritious, heart-friendly low sodium protein bar can be a daunting task. 

We live in a world where on-the-go snacks, such as protein bars, have become an integral part of our daily routines. In the rush of everyday life, a quick, protein-packed snack bar seems like a perfect solution. However, with the myriad of options available in the market, navigating the snack aisle can often be overwhelming, especially for those mindful of their sodium intake.

In 2023, the market has seen a remarkable evolution of protein bars, with some brands focusing on creating low-sodium options that cater to those looking to manage their heart health better. Conversely, there are still those bars hiding excessive sodium behind their ‘healthy’ branding.

In this blog post, I will take a deep dive into the best and worst low-sodium protein bars in 2023. We’ll take a look at their nutritional profiles, taste, and overall value, helping you to make an informed decision the next time you need to grab a quick, protein-filled bite. So, let’s embark on this journey to find not just a convenient snack, but one that takes care of our heart health too!

Why Eat Protein Bars? 

Protein bars have become increasingly popular over the past decades alongside the rising demand for convenience and increasing number of health-conscious consumers.

There are numerous reasons why they are popular, and the most obvious one is convenience. They are typically marketed as a snack on the go for those with a busy lifestyle. 

Their nutritional benefits further amplify their popularity as they are high in protein for building muscles & keeping satiated with additional nutrients, including fiber, vitamins, and minerals essential to your overall health. They also vary in textures and flavors so you are guaranteed to find one that suits your preference. 

Nutrition 101: What To Look For In A Snack Like A Protein Bar

To make sure your chosen protein bar is a healthy option, make sure to read food labels and ingredient lists. 

Food labels, or nutrition facts panel, provide information about the nutritional content of the protein bar, including serving size, calories, macronutrients (carbohydrates, fibers, added sugars, protein, fats, trans fat, saturated fats), and micronutrients (vitamins and minerals). 

The ingredient list of a product can help you identify allergens, artificial additives, preservatives, and filler that you might want to avoid. 

All this information is available on the packaging of the product or website of the company to help you make an informed decision that supports your personal needs. 

Fiber

Insoluble fibers are nondigestible carbohydrates that are not digested and absorbed by our digestive system. They stay intact throughout the digestive tract which promotes feelings of fullness and reduces appetite. 

Soluble fiber on the other hand forms a gel-like substance in our small intestine which can bind and trap “bad” LDL cholesterol, preventing it from entering the bloodstream. 

Dietary fibers are also called prebiotics which are foods that support growth of your gut microbiome. These microbes ferment food in the gut and produce short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in the large intestine. These SCFAs can reduce inflammation which plays a key role in the development of plaques inside your artery that can result in heart attacks and strokes. 

Additionally, SCFAs also lower the levels of cholesterol and blood pressure which are measures for heart diseases.

Both types of fibers play a part in reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases. 

Protein

Strenuous exercises can cause microscopic tears in muscle fibers and consuming good-quality protein immediately to 2 hours after your workout can stimulate muscle repairs and synthesis of new muscle proteins.   

Similar to fiber, protein can also aid in satiety as it takes longer to be digested than other macronutrients. They decrease our response to hunger hormones while increasing response to satiety hormones. A meta-analysis study concludes that a higher protein diet can promote weight loss and changes in body composition. 

Low Sodium   

Even though protein bars are promoted as healthy foods, they are still processed foods. 

Processed foods are typically higher in sodium. 

When purchasing protein bars, it’s important to avoid the “health halo effect” or the perception that a particular food is good for you even when it might not be, often due to labeling and marketing techniques. 

Reading the product labels carefully will be the best way to avoid this.

1) Try to choose options with 150 mg or less of sodium. 

2) Look for bars with an ingredient list of whole food ingredients such as nuts, seeds, fruits, and natural flavorings. 

Why Is It Important To Eat A Low Sodium Diet?

Consuming salty food can put your heart at risk of heart disease. High intakes of sodium are especially damaging to your heart as it increases blood pressure, even in children and adolescents.

Your body retains more water to balance out the sodium content which raises the blood volume and consequently the blood pressure. An increase in blood pressure stiffens your arteries, putting you at a higher risk of having a heart attack or stroke. 

Increased blood pressure also increases the workload of your kidneys, the body’s filtration system.  

Your sodium level works in tandem with your calcium level. When sodium is high and calcium is low, your body produces parathyroid hormone that stimulates the breakdown of bones to bring the calcium level back up. Your bones become fragile and brittle, all are symptoms of osteoporosis. 

Thus, eating a low sodium diet ensures the normal functioning of multiple systems of your body.

5 Best Low Sodium Protein Bars

Brand	Sodium	Protein (g)	Fiber (g)	Comments
Rise Bar	20 mg	20	4	Almond Honey Bar, made from almonds, honey, and pea protein isolate.
NAKED Bar	110 mg	15	6	Peanut Butter Bar, made with simple ingredients like nut butter and natural sweeteners.
RXBar	140 mg	12	4	Blueberry Bar, made with simple ingredients such as cashews and egg whites.
Kind Bar	135 mg	12	6	Crunchy Peanut Butter Bar, made from peanuts and soy protein.
GoMacro Macrobar	100 mg	12	2	Maple Sea Salt, made from pea, brown rice protein, and flaxseeds.

1. Rise Bar

An Almond Honey Bar is made up of only 3 ingredients: almonds, honey, and pea protein isolate, making it a vegan option. These 3 simple, all-natural ingredients provide 4 g of fiber, and 20 g of protein, and only contain 20 mg of sodium. 

Pea protein isolate is made of yellow split peas, a relatively new protein isolate on the market, and is referenced here in this pea protein article It has one of the highest protein contents and essential amino acids among other plant-based protein isolates. This plant-based protein can lower total cholesterol and triglyceride levels which are associated with atherosclerosis. 

Almonds are a good source of mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acids which can unclog arteries, by decreasing “bad” LDL cholesterol levels, a risk factor for heart diseases, and raise “good” HDL cholesterol levels. 

I was impressed to find out that it tastes like real honey and almond. It is a great snack for in between meals or before the gym if you don’t have enough time to cook up a complete meal.

2. NAKED Bar

A NAKED Bar is made with simple ingredients, including natural sweeteners (rice syrup and grape juice concentrate), nut butter, and nut flour, making it a gluten-free option. 

The Peanut Butter Bar provides 110 mg of sodium, 6 g of fiber, and 15 g of protein. 

As discussed above, nuts contain essential fatty acids that regulate your cholesterol levels and are an important part of the portfolio diet, diet after stent implant, Mediterranean and dash diet, and 7-day low cholesterol diet plan. In fact, higher consumption of nuts can lower the risk of cardiovascular disease by 13-19%. 

Additionally, it contains L-arginine, an essential amino acid that can be found in both plants and animals. However, only plant-derived L-arginine can lower blood pressure as it is a precursor for nitric oxide which is involved in the relaxation of muscles. 

As a Registered Dietitian, I was impressed by the simplistic packaging and their transparency in regard to the ingredients. 

I like this bar because they are what they advertise, a protein bar “with nothing to hide”. This is enjoyable to those who love natural whole foods and like a chewy texture.      

3. RXBar – Blueberry or Mixed Berry

The list of ingredients for these bars are simple and recognizable as advertised clearly on their packaging – no health halo here! 

A Blueberry Bar provides 140 mg of sodium, 4 g of fiber, and 12 g of protein. Their key ingredients are cashews and egg whites.  

Cashews, like other tree nuts, are high in healthy fats due to their unsaturated fatty acid content. However, we have to mention that they’re also a great source of magnesium, a trace mineral that regulates blood pressure, prevents muscle spasm, and ensures bone health.

You’ll be immediately impressed upon your first bite as you can taste the berries and crunchy cashews. 

In my experience, I can compare it to eating a candy fruit roll up that is actually good for you! So, try this out for yourself!

4. Kind Bar

The Kind Bar is kind to your body indeed, as it contains only natural ingredients, with no artificial additives. 

A Crunchy Peanut Butter Bar provides 135 mg of sodium, 6 g of fiber, and 12 g of protein. 

Peanuts are the first listed ingredients, giving the bar a crunchy and chewy texture. In comparison to animal-based protein, soy protein, another ingredient, has a higher content of healthy fats and soluble fiber to lower LDL and total cholesterol levels.

One of my favorite features of this low protein bar is its flavor as you can never go wrong with some heart-healthy peanuts. 

Peanuts are listed as the first ingredient, meaning the manufacturer uses peanuts in the greatest amount, followed by other ingredients. Making this a heart healthy protein bar.

5. GoMacro Macrobar 

The GoMacro Macrobar is another vegan option using pea, brown rice protein, and flaxseeds with an array of delicious flavors to choose from. 

A Maple Sea Salt provides 100 mg of sodium, 2 g of fiber, and 12 g of protein. 

Brown rice protein is a complete source of protein, containing all 9 essential amino acids that you must obtain from your diet. Brown rice protein also contains L-arginine which is important in helping blood vessels dilate and relax, ensuring constant blood flow and blood pressure, like nitric oxide foods.  

Flaxseeds are high in alpha-linoleic acid, an essential omega-3 fatty acids, and lignan, a polyphenolic compound. These compounds can regulate your blood pressure. Participants in a study consumed 30 g of flaxseeds daily for 6 months showed a significant decrease in blood pressure. 

While I don’t have any negative issues to report in regard to its nutritional profile, this is the most expensive option out of 5.      

Key Takeaways When Buying Low Sodium Protein Bars 

1. Understanding Nutritional Labels: 

The key to choosing a heart-healthy, low-sodium protein bar lies in understanding food labels and ingredient lists. By opting for bars with 150 mg or less of sodium and prioritizing those with whole food ingredients, consumers can make informed decisions that align with their personal health goals.

2. The Importance Of Fiber And Protein:

 These nutrients are crucial in a balanced diet and contribute to heart health and overall wellness. They aid in promoting feelings of fullness, stimulate muscle repair, and can help in weight loss.

3. Low Sodium For Heart Health: 

Consuming a low-sodium diet can mitigate risks associated with high blood pressure and other cardiovascular diseases. Processed foods, including some protein bars, can often contain higher amounts of sodium, underscoring the importance of reading product labels carefully.

4. Read Labels: 

While protein bars offer convenience, not all are created equal. For those seeking heart-friendly options, scrutiny of labels and an understanding of nutritional content can guide healthier choices that are low in sodium and high in fiber and protein. 

Final Thoughts

While navigating the world of low-sodium protein bars in 2023, remember to look beyond the health halo and carefully read nutrition labels. Not all protein bars are created equal, and understanding their nutritional profile is key to making a choice that aligns with your heart health goals. 

As a Registered Dietitian focused on heart health, I am confident that armed with the right knowledge, you can make wise decisions that benefit your health in the long run. From sodium content to other essential nutrients, a mindful approach towards snacking can bring about profound changes in our health. 

Remember, it’s not just about finding a snack that’s convenient—it’s about finding one that’s both nutritious and heart-healthy. Let me know if I missed your favorite low sodium protein bar in the comments below!