Best Protein Bars for Kids

With many parents working from home and even more children schooling from home, this past year has been a busy time for families. Between working, at-home teaching, running errands and setting aside time for family activities, it can be hard to ensure that your kid is eating a healthy, well-balanced diet—especially when it comes to snacks. When you're in a crunch for time, convenient snack items are often the most favorable choice. However, they are hardly the most nutritious. Many snack items found on grocery store shelves are laden with sugar and chemical additives, two things that are not so great for your little ones.

To make healthier choices for your children, we recommend finding a snack that provides a balance of healthy fats, carbohydrates and protein. Snacks that are low in sugar, yet high in vitamins and minerals will work to keep your little ones feeling their best.

We know that providing a healthy snack option is easier said than done. With sugary foods satisfying a child's every craving, a healthy snack like carrots and ranch dip hardly compares. But what if there was a way that you could create a well-balanced treat that is just as sweet as it is nutritious? Healthy protein bars are the perfect option to satisfy the pickiest little eaters. When made with wholesome, healthy ingredients, they are an excellent snack choice that will help keep your children full between meals. Keep reading to discover a few of the many benefits of protein bars for kids and how you can easily make them at home!

Protein Bars for Kids: Benefits and Drawbacks

Protein bars are great for your little ones! While they are not a meal replacement, they are a much healthier snack alternative than most convenient store-bought options. Protein bars are quick, easy and a generally healthy way to satisfy your kid's cravings. When searching for the best protein bars for kids, it’s important that you read the ingredients on store-bought bars or make them yourself. Pre-made protein bars like Bob's Bars are made with quality ingredients. However, other store-bought bars are often packed with sugar or contain added ingredients not beneficial to your children’s diet. To help you better understand which protein bars are best for your kids, we've listed the most common pros and cons below.

Protein Bar Benefits

Healthy Alternative to Traditional Snack Foods

Though protein bars should not be considered a meal replacement, they are a great alternative to most store-bought snack foods. They're an excellent snack option when kids need a quick boost of energy between meals. When made with natural ingredients, protein bars provide an added boost of vitamins and minerals that can help keep the hunger pains at bay.

Low in Sugar

When choosing the best protein bars for kids, look for those that are low in sugar. Some store-bought protein bars can contain as much sugar as candy bars and while they may be tasty, they're not suitable for kids. Make sure you read the labels when purchasing protein bars and choose those made with whole food ingredients like Bob's Bars. Or, if you have time, make homemade protein bars for your little ones. By making protein bars at home, you can ensure that only the best ingredients are used. Plus, healthy sugar alternatives like honey can help create sweet bars that won't give your kids a sugar rush.

Protein Bars Are Convenient

One of the things we love most about protein bars is that they're convenient. An easy snack to pack with you, kids can enjoy protein bars nearly anywhere. Pack them with your children in their backpack, or keep a few bars in the car for a snack to enjoy while driving home. Making a batch of protein bars at the beginning of the week will ensure that you always have a snack to feed your little ones before the hunger kicks in.

Protein Bar Drawbacks

Low-Nutritional Content

As we mentioned earlier, not all protein bars are created equal. While natural protein bars like Bob's Bars provide a rich supply of nutrients, others may have a nutritional content that resembles a candy bar. To make sure you're providing your children with a healthy snack option, choose protein bars that are made with wholesome ingredients like whole oats, dried fruits, nuts and seeds.

Not Kid Friendly

Many protein bars are targeted at athletes and not all of them are kid friendly. The truth is, a child will often get an adequate amount of protein from a healthy diet. While a protein bar provides an ample boost of protein, especially for active children, you must check the other ingredients packed into the snack. When choosing a protein bar for your child, stay away from bars that are full of added preservatives, glucose, corn syrup, sugar and fat. 

Best Protein Bars for Kids

Bob's Bars

Now that you know what to look for in a protein bar, it's time to start discovering your kiddo's favorite ones. When it comes to store-bought protein bars, there's nothing better than Bob's Bars. Not only are Bob's Bars delicious in flavor, but they're made with a short, simple and clean ingredient list. Aside from their healthy ingredients, Bob's Bars are also gluten, soy, dairy and egg-free, and Non-GMO Project Verified. With up to 6 grams of protein per bar and only 9 grams of sugar (or less), they are the perfect treat to feed your little ones no matter where you are!

Not sure which Bob's Bar to try out first? Here are a few of our favorite flavors:

Peanut Butter Chocolate and Oats Bob’s Bar

One of our most popular flavors to date, the Peanut Butter Chocolate and Oats Bob's Bar is a snack your child will truly enjoy. Made with luscious chocolate, whole grain oats, hearty peanut butter and organic honey, it's the perfect whole-grain snack to enjoy on the go. Treat yourself and your little ones and enjoy this bar wherever your day may take you.

Peanut Butter Jelly and Oats Bob's Bar

Take your child's favorite treat up a notch and purchase a box of these Peanut Butter Jelly and Oats Bob's Bars. With the taste identical to that of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, this bar is a favorite among kids and adults alike. A combination of whole grain oats, peanut butter and organic honey makes this protein bar worth biting into. 

Homemade Protein Bars

Enjoy making snacks at home? Homemade protein bars for kids are an excellent treat to make in large batches. Make your favorite protein bar recipe at the beginning of the week for the perfect in-between-meal supplement for your little ones. Keep scrolling and discover a few nutrient-rich recipes to help you get started.

Naturally Sweetened Berry Vanilla Granola Bars

For a protein bar that you'll feel great about giving your little ones, make these Berry Vanilla Granola Bars. Free of refined sugar and gluten, these bars are made with coconut oil, which adds a bit of tropical flavor. Simple to make, we recommend trying this recipe out once yourself and then inviting your little ones into the kitchen to help out the second time. These bars make for the perfect breakfast or mid-day snack and are an engaging way to sweeten up family time.

Not a fan of all the ingredients used? These bars are entirely customizable. Add in whichever ingredients you love most. We love mixing in tasty extras like mini chocolate chips, peanuts, pumpkin seeds and cranberries.

Chocolate Amaranth Protein Bars

If your children love the taste of "krispie" treats, then they're bound to love these Chocolate Amaranth Protein Bars. Loaded with flavor and texture, this recipe uses nutritious ingredients like organic amaranth grain, shredded coconut and hulled hemp seed to keep your taste buds happy. Loaded with good-for-you nutrients and an excellent boost of protein, they're sure to keep your little one's field on all of their adventures.

Whether you choose to purchase your kid's protein bars in stores or make them at home, it's important to note the ingredients in your food. A healthy, well-balanced diet doesn't have to be lacking in flavor. Whole foods can be used to create some of the most flavorful snacks around! If you have active kids who crave snacks between their meals to boost their energy, protein bars are the way to go! Ideal for sports, long car rides and eating on the go, surprising your kiddos with a tasty protein bar is sure to satisfy their cravings. Whether you choose to make one of the recipes on this list or purchase a healthy in-store variety, we're confident that your kids will love this tasty treat. From everyone at Bob's Red Mill, have a healthy and happy day!

Have a favorite protein bar recipe you'd like to share? We'd love to hear more about it. Share your protein bar favorites with us in the comments below.