The Built Puff protein bar is covered in chocolate and has a sweet coconut center, making it practically indistinguishable from a Mounds bar. Nutritionally, though, the two products are very different. A Mounds bar has north of 200 calories and 20 grams of added sugar. My bar has 140 calories, just six grams of added sugar, and about as much protein as three eggs.
Fulfil took the top spot in Tasting Table's rankings of protein bar brands, for its chocolate-forward flavors and protein content, boasting at least 15 grams per serving. With a dessert-inspired tastes, these bars resemble a sweet treat while still delivering on the nutrients. Tasting Table's rankings highlight the triple chocolate and chocolate salted caramel flavors but other options also include chocolate hazelnut, chocolate peanut caramel, and chocolate peanut butter with Reese's flavor.
By the '60s, some protein bars were marketed as diet bars or weight loss bars that would provide energy and nutrients while taking the place of a traditional meal. At the advent of the fitness movement and health revolution of the 1980s, the PowerBar was invented by two distance runners. In the almost 50 years since, we have seen countless versions of so-called "healthy" protein bars, some making more dubious claims than others.
Protein bars are becoming really, really popular. The multibillion-dollar protein-bar industry is projected to grow to over 7 billion by 2029 - so it's no surprise there are a lot of bars on the market. But they can't all be winners. And they don't always taste great. To help find which is the best to buy at the grocery store, I bought protein bars in similar flavors from six different brands to review.