The Dietitian’s List of Low FODMAP Protein Bars

For people with IBS, the protein aisle can be pretty intimidating. There are certainly no shortage of bars to choose from, but finding one that has the right taste, texture, and complies with the low FODMAP diet can be tricky. To make matters worse, most bars have tons of ingredients and additives, making label reading a pain in the you-know-what. The following article aims to simplify this process by providing a number of great-tasting, low FODMAP protein bar options. Along the way, I’ll also give you a list of common ingredients found in high FODMAP bars, so you can read labels with more confidence.

On a personal note…

Protein bars can easily be a high FODMAP bomb. I can recall several times in my life before I became FODMAP aware when I had to leave work due to severe gut issues after eating a low carb protein bar. In later years, I learned that sugar alcohols and inulin are major triggers, and I avoid both by all means to this day. Hopefully, this article saves you from suffering this same angst.

Protein Bar Benefits

Convenience

Protein bars are quick, portable, and convenient as they can easily be thrown in your purse, bag, car, or stowed away in your office drawer when hunger hits. They are a perfect on-the-go snack or mini meal.

Good Dose of Protein

Protein bars contain protein, an important macronutrient necessary to maintain lean muscle mass, maximize metabolism, and stave off hunger for several hours. It is important to consume a protein rich food at most meals to ensure adequate intake. I often encourage aiming for fifteen to thirty grams of protein per meal.

To calculate your protein needs, multiply your weight in kilograms by 0.8 grams.

For example, if you weigh 130 pounds (59 kilograms) your protein needs would be 47 grams of protein per day. Recent literature suggests those 65 years and older would benefit from closer to 1.0-1.2 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight to help ward of age-related sarcopenia.

Nutrient Dense

Protein bars deliver protein, carbohydrates, fat, and are often fortified with vitamins and minerals which may help fill in nutritional gaps – especially if the low FODMAP diet has reduced your overall food intake.

Good Fuel Source During Exercise

Protein bars that contain carbohydrates can give you an energy boost to help fuel a workout or help promote recovery post workout. Check out the energy bars listed below as these may be better options to fuel your body during exercise.

Downside of Protein Bars

Processed vs. Whole Foods

Protein bars will never take the place of whole foods. We can get many more vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals from whole foods versus fortified protein bars. While protein bars contain protein, which can promote satiety, they are often low volume and this may not keep some of us full.

A low FODMAP serving of fruit plus a small portion of nuts or aged cheese may help some feel more satisfied than reaching for a bar.

Possibly High Sugar or Saturated Fat Content

Protein bars are sometimes glorified candy bars due to the high sugar and saturated fat intake. Best to look at the nutrition label if you are wanting to choose a more nutritious option.

Tip: 4.2 grams of sugar is equal to 1 teaspoon. This information may help you understand how much added sugar is present in your bar.

Cost

Ounce for ounce, protein rich foods are far less expensive than the majority of protein bars on the market. Good protein sources such as canned and drained chickpeas and lentils, aged cheese, chicken, eggs, and lactose free milk are all budget friendly high protein low FODMAP food options.

High FODMAP Ingredients

There are SO many ingredients in protein bars. It can feel like you need a nutrition degree to tell if the ingredients are high or low FODMAP. Protein bars often contain sugar alcohols as this helps to keep the carbohydrate content low, so be very careful with label reading. Whey protein concentrate is a common ingredient and this contains too much lactose, especially when added in large quantities. Be sure to use this article and the Spoonful App to help guide you.

Certified Low FODMAP Protein Bars

Carman’s Dark Chocolate Espresso Nut Bars

Enjoy Life Foods

• Dark Raspberry Protein Bites
• Dipped Banana Protein Bites
• Sunseed Butter Protein Bites
• Cinnamon Spice Protein Bites

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FODY Foods

• Almond Coconut Snack Bar
• Blueberry Almond Snack Bar
• Dark Chocolate Nuts & Sea Salt Bar
• Peanut Butter Chocolate Quinoa Bar

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GoMacro Bars  

• Peanut Butter Protein Replenishment
• Sunflower Butter + Chocolate Protein Purity (Mini)
• Coconut + Almond Butter + Chocolate Chips Everlasting Joy (Mini)
• Dark Chocolate + Almonds Protein Decadence
• Mocha Chocolate Chip Sweet Awakenings 
• Banana + Almond Butter Prolonged Power
• Granola + Coconut Balanced Goodness
• Maple Sea Salt Pure Promise Minis
• Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Heart Warming Retreat Mini
• Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Protein Pleasure Mini
• Double Chocolate + Peanut Butter Chips Mini Smooth Sanctuary
• Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie Kids Bar GoMacro Kids MacroBar
• Double Chocolate Brownie Kid Bar GoMacro Kids MacroBar
• Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Kids Bar GoMacro Kids MacroBar
• Peanut Butter Cup Kids Bar GoMacro Kids MacroBar

Rachel Pauls Happy Bars

• Banana Chocolate Glee
• Chocolate Chip Delight
• Oatmeal Raisin Bliss
• Orange Chocolate Ecstasy
• Peanut Butter Euphoria
• Peanut Butter Pleasure 

Stellar Labs Bars

• Strawberry Cacao
• Cacao Chip

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Protein Bars that are Likely Low FODMAP

Based on clinical judgement, FODMAP trained dietitians like myself can help determine if a product is high or low FODMAP. However there really is no guarantee unless a product has been lab tested.

The challenge with protein and energy bars is that there may be potential for FODMAP stacking based on ingredients and portion sizes utilized in the recipe. It is best to test tolerance with likely low FODMAP bars when symptoms are well controlled. Feel free to start with a half bar and increase to a full serving as tolerated.

88 Acres

• Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Bar
• Cinnamon & Oats Seed Bars

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Caveman Bars

• Double Dark Chocolate Protein Bars
• Chocolate Walnut Collagen Bars: These do contain raisins, however it is unlikely that these are present in quantities greater than 1 tablespoon since they are located towards the bottom of the ingredient list.
• Cinnamon Raisin Grain Free Granola Bars: These do contain raisins, however it is unlikely that these are present in quantities greater than 1 tablespoon since they are located towards the bottom of the ingredient list.

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Heath Warrior Pumpkin Seed Bars*

• Dark Chocolate
• Chocolate Almond
• Honey Sea Salt
• Maple Sea Salt

*The honey falls within a low FODMAP serving size. The pumpkin seeds may be present in a portion a little larger than 2 tbsp, however this remains far from the large portion size that has excessive fructans.

IBS Simple Bars

• The Original
• Chocolate Mint
• Sweet Lemon
• Dreamy Chocolate

These bars are marketed as low FODMAP. While they do contain a small amount of date paste, the quantity falls under the low FODMAP serving size per personal communication with the company.

These bars are being reformulated to have a texture more similar to a baked cookie towards the new year. Stay tuned if you want to try their new recipe!

Simply Protein Crispy Bars

• Dark Chocolate Salted Caramel
• Lemon
• Peanut Butter Chocolate

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These contain soy protein isolate, which has not been tested by Monash but generally considered low FODMAP as this is a pure protein source.

Bonus: Low FODMAP Energy and Cereal Bars

I wanted to include some other popular bars that do not technically fall under the protein bar category as they are fairly low in protein and quite often higher in carbohydrates and sugar. Energy bars often contain dried fruits, grains, and other carbohydrate sources, which makes them perfect for snacks or fuel during exercise. Here are some low FODMAP examples:

Bobo’s Oat Bars

• Regular
• Coconut
• Lemon Poppy Seed
• Banana Chocolate Chip
• Peanut Butter
• Almond Butter
• Chocolate Almond
• Chocolate cChip
• Gingerbread

You may want to start with just half a bar per serving as they are rather filling and contain a fair amount of oats.

Nature Valley

• Crunchy Peanut Butter
• Pecan Crunch

Annie’s Snack Bars*

• Chewy Chocolate Chip
• Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip

Do not choose the gluten free option as these contain inulin.

Common High FODMAP Ingredients found in Protein Bars

• Agave – unless sugar content is 5 grams of less.
• Amaranth – there is a low FODMAP serving size for puffed amaranth, however amaranth is considered high FODMAP. 
• Apple juice concentrate
• Cashews – these are often found in many nut based bars.
• Chicory root
• Dates – only ⅓ of a date is low FODMAP. It is really hard to determine the quantity of dates in a bar based on the nutrition label.
• Favaa beans
• Fructooligosaccharide
• Fructose
• Fruit juice concentrates
• Fruit juice pureés
• High FODMAP fruits – apple, pears, mango, watermelon, peaches, nectarines, cherries, dates, figs, etc.
• High fructose corn syrup
• Honey – unless sugar content is 7 grams or less.
• Inulin
• Lactose
• Maltitol
• Milk protein
• Milk protein concentrate
• Nonfat dry milk
• Oligosaccharides
• Pistachios
• Raisin juice concentrate
• Raisin paste – raisins are low FODMAP at 1 tbsp, however one can not determine the quantity used based on nutrition facts alone. Best to avoid unless found in a certified low FODMAP bar.
• Soybeans
• Soy flour
• Soy protein concentrate
• Sugar Alcohols
  • Sorbitol
  • Mannitol
  • Xylitol
  • Maltitol
  • Isomalt
  • Erythritol – absorbed better in the small intestine than other sugar alcohol, however it has not been tested for FODMAP content and may trigger fructose malabsorption. 
• Whey
• Whey protein concentrate

Ingredients to Approach with Caution

Pea Protein

Recent testing of pea protein brought mixed results when determining the FODMAP load. Unfortunately pea protein is no longer listed as low FODMAP per Monash. Many vegan protein bars contain pea protein in varying amounts. While small amounts are unlikely to cause IBS symptoms, some brands may pack a larger dose, which can result in IBS symptoms for some sensitive individuals. We are waiting for more Monash testing of pea protein for better guidance on how best to approach this protein.

Raisins and Craisins

Both of these dried fruits are low FODMAP in small servings. If found towards the end of the ingredient list, they are likely present in small portions. Best to avoid or test tolerance with a small portion if raisin paste is present.

Suggested Posts

• Low FODMAP Sports Drinks, Gels, Hydration Powders, Electrolytes & More
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• 10 New Low FODMAP Products to Spice Up Your Pantry