Protein bar

Dietary purpose

Protein bars are targeted to people who primarily want a convenient source of protein that does not require preparation (unless homemade). There are different kinds of food bars to fill different purposes. Energy bars provide the majority of their food energy (calories) in carbohydrate form. Meal replacement bars are intended to replace the variety of nutrients in a meal. Protein bars are usually lower in carbohydrates than energy bars, lower in vitamins and dietary minerals than meal replacement bars, and significantly higher in protein than either.

Protein bars may contain high levels of sugar and sometimes are called "candy bars in disguise". Alternative protein bars may use insect protein as an ingredient. Vegan protein bars contain only plant-based proteins from sources like peas, brown rice, hemp, and soybeans.

Protein bars are mainly marketed to athletes or exercise enthusiasts for muscle building or as a wellness-themed convenience food. The global market is growing and expected to reach US$2 billion in annual sales in 2026.

There is a disagreement over the amount of protein required for active individuals and athletic performance. Some research shows that protein supplementation is not necessary. Athletes generally consume higher levels of protein as compared to the general population for muscular hypertrophy and to reduce lean body mass lost during weight loss. Specialists have stated that the general American population is not lacking in protein.

History

Bob Hoffman launched Hoffman's Hi-Proteen Fudge and Hoffman's Hi-Proteen Cookies in the early 1950s, and competitor Joe Weider launched Candy Food Bars with bodybuilder Dave Draper on the packaging in the late 1960s. Pillsbury Space Food Bars and the bars by Tiger's Milk both came to market in the 1960s. Though they had protein, they were marked as energy or nutrition bars. PowerBar, invented in California in 1986, was an early protein bar.

Regional markets

The Australian protein bar market, valued at about US$271 million in 2024, is expected to grow at a compound annual rate of 5–6 percent through the early 2030s.

References

References

1. Blum, Dani. (2023-01-12). "Are Protein Bars Actually Good for You?". The New York Times.
2. Tormási, Judit. (2025-03-18). "Evaluation of protein quantity and protein nutritional quality of protein bars with different protein sources". Scientific Reports.
3. Moss, Michael. (2014-01-28). "A Look Inside the Protein Bar". The New York Times.
4. "Nutrition Bars: Healthy or Hype?". WebMD.
5. MD, Robert H. Shmerling. (2015-12-15). "Are protein bars really just candy bars in disguise? - Harvard Health Blog". Harvard Health Blog.
6. (2019-03-31). "Kyoto venture's new cricket protein bar packed with nutrition". Mainichi Daily News.
7. Rathod, Vaidehi. (April 14, 2020). "Be vegan and have your protein too". UTC Scholar.
8. (2007-09-26). "International Society of Sports Nutrition position stand: protein and exercise". Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition.
9. Phillips, Stuart M.. (July 2004). "Protein requirements and supplementation in strength sports". Nutrition (Burbank, Los Angeles County, Calif.).
10. (2013-01-16). "How much protein do I need every day?". Examine.com.
11. (November 1991). "Protein intake and athletic performance". Sports Medicine.
12. Phillips, Stuart M.. (July 2004). "Protein requirements and supplementation in strength sports". Nutrition.
13. (February 2010). "Increased protein intake reduces lean body mass loss during weight loss in athletes". Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise.
14. Merritt, Greg. "The History of Protein Bars".
15. "Australia Protein Bar Market Report and Forecast 2025–2034".
16. "Australia Protein Bar Market: Industry Trends, Share, Size, Growth, Opportunity and Forecast 2025–2033".