The rise of GLP-1 has made protein the crown jewel of the health and wellness world.
Chances are you’ve spotted protein everywhere – from popcorn to chips and even water bottles. And as if that wasn’t enough, the sheer number of powders and supplements is proof enough.
Given its popularity, we’ve spent the last year figuring out which options are worth your money, testing 12 major protein bar brands, 10 popular whey powders, eating 15 cans of fish for months, and interviewing registered dietitians.
Below are six of our favorite protein options, without chunks of steak or blocks of tofu.
Barebells Protein Bars
After conducting a blind taste test of protein bars in our New York office, we learned a valuable lesson: The best ones don’t taste like you’re eating a protein bar at all. Barebells taste like you’d pull out of a candy or treat basket, with one tester comparing its texture to a Twix bar and another saying, “It tastes like real sugar and butter.” At 20g, these bars are a tasty way to get protein on the go.
Read the story: “As good as a candy bar”: the best (and worst) protein bars in the United States
Biena Crispy Chickpeas
People love ask people who eat plants how they absorb their proteins. However, even if you hate tofu, there are plenty of vegan and vegetarian options to choose from. Registered dietitian Desiree Nielsen shared some of her favorites, including these handy chickpea snacks from Biena, which pack 7g of protein per packet.
Read the story: Five High-Protein Snacks That Are Suitable for Vegetarians, According to a Dietitian
Tuna fishmonger
After spending my summer meal prepping with different cans of sardines, tuna, and salmon, Fishwife has become one of my most popular options. I particularly loved its Tuna Soy Ginger, which I used as the main protein source for the homemade Onigiri. It’s already seasoned with ginger and soy sauce, making it easy to toss into a salad or bowl of rice. It also has 16g of protein per box, which is more than some of the bars we’ve tried.
Read the story: I spent months testing 15 varieties of canned fish. These are the ones I would eat again
after newsletter promotion
Optimal Protein Powder
Although protein powders are an easy way to add protein to a shake, smoothie, or oatmeal, our testers disdained many of the ones they tried in our recent taste test.
After trying 10 popular options, Optimum was our clear winner, with one tester saying it “tastes like childhood.” One note: You’ll need to put some strength into your mixture, as our testers noted that it was difficult to combine into a liquid.
Read the story: Five High-Protein Snacks That Are Suitable for Vegetarians, According to a Dietitian
Wild Planet Sardines
Wild Planet’s Sardines in Olive Oil were another highlight of my summer of canned fish. I added them to my dinner to add 17g of protein and a much-needed change/spice/spiciness to my usual bowl of tofu and rice. Although experts don’t recommend eating canned fish every day, registered dietitian Shyla Cadogan I was told that fish like sardines generally contain less mercury than other varieties.
Read the story: I spent months testing 15 varieties of canned fish. These are the ones I would eat again
Aloha Protein Bars
Aloha’s plant-based protein bars also stood out in our blind taste test. We named it our favorite organic option after receiving praise from our participants who said it “tastes like real chocolate” and compared it to chocolate ice cream.
This bar, which contains 14g of protein from brown rice and pumpkin seeds, is one of my favorites because it doesn’t upset my sensitive stomach and comes in a variety of flavors, including peanut butter cup and banana bread.
Read the story: “As good as a candy bar”: the best (and worst) protein bars in the United States
Other pieces you might enjoy from Filter, the Guardian’s guide to buying less, better stuff:
Gn Health
