Nutrition Bar Taste Tests: Our Best & Worst Picks

There’s nothing like preparing to sink your teeth into what you’re  hoping will be a tasty treat and ending up sadly disappointed. What you thought would be a scrumptious snack option or a pre/post workout treat, is instead, an unpalatable, neatly packed bar of blandness. I’m pretty sure most of us have experience that at one time or another.

We set out on a mission to find the best and worst tasting nutrition bars. Finding a satisfying nutrition/protein, and meal replacement bars that meets desired nutrition goals can be a challenge. So, since our yogurt taste test post was such a hit, we decided to put our taste buds to the test again with a nutrition bar taste test.

Please note, this is not a sponsored post and that we were not being paid to review any of these products. Our best and worst selections are solely based on our own opinions and screwy taste buds. Check out our best and worst selections.

At first glance, Larabar’s flavors were the most appealing. Unfortunately, they did not live up to their tempting flavor names. Their bars are thick and rich in texture, but they were the least flavorful. The taste was unmistakably bland. Their nutrition facts might have something to do with that. Their made with very little sodium, which is definitely a selling point. So, you may have to sacrifice some of the taste in exchange for a lower sodium and cholesterol.

Nutritionally, Larabar’s is clearly leading second place, with an average of 200 or less calories, 8 g of total fat, 5 mg of sodium, 17g of sugar, and 4 g of protein.

It was our least favorite for the taste factor, but our second favorite based on nutritional value. The Coconut Cream Pie and Apple Pie were the most tolerable.

Larabar Blueberry Muffin Fruit & Nut Bar -Blueberry Muffin

Larabar Fruit & Nut Bar – Coconut Cream Pie

Larabar Fruit & Nut Bar – Apple Pie

Think Thin High Protein Bar – Lemon Delight

The following bars were close runner-ups.

Think Thin was quite tasty. The hint of lemon flavor and the creamy white chocolate topping was a hit!

Balance Cookie Dough Bar is one of the favored go-to’s, understandably so. The cookie dough nougat is not to0 thick in consistency, but definitely filling. It has a yummy and thin chocolate coating. The nutritional value is pretty decent , other than the 200 mg of sodium.  This is the ideal bar if you’re relatively hungry and in search of a light-weight, flavorful bar to quickly satisfy your hunger.

Balance Cookie Dough Nutrition Bar

At first taste, we quickly identified The Zone Perfect Nutrition Bar’s all to familiar taste. It reminded us of a chocolate covered chewy granola bar with a rice crispy twist.

We especially liked how it was void of that “nutrition bar” aftertaste and common chalky taste texture.

                                             Zone Perfect Nutrition Bar- Fudge Graham

Luna Chocolate Dipped Coconut Bar had a very distinct taste; a coconut lover’s friend. It has a host of nutritional incentives too – it’s gluten free, 9g of protein, non-gmo, made wth organic coconut and cocoa. The smooth taste will keep you coming back for more.

                                                  Luna Chocolate Dipped Coconut Bar

The following bars, by far, are our absolute favorites. They weren’t the most appealing in look, but the delicious taste totally made up for the lack luster look. The organically sweet taste and fruity flavor tickled our taste buds. We could hardly believe these bars were organic and natural.  They were unexpectedly delicious!  The Apricot Pear Carrot Beet was our fave!

Pressed by Kind- Pineapple Banana Kale Spinach

Pressed by Kind Cherry Apple Chia

                                         Pressed by Kind- Apricot Pear Carrot Beet

Please share your best and worst nutrition bar or protein bar picks in the comments below.