Your protein food journey begins and ends with this tried and tested list – no block of tofu or bleeding steak required
The best whey protein powders and protein bars
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The rise of GLP-1s 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 bottles of water. And if that’s not enough evidence, the vast number of powders and supplements is proof enough.
Given its popularity, we have spent the past year reporting on which options are worth your money, testing 12 top brands of protein bars, 10 popular whey powders, spending months eating 15 tins of fish and interviewing registered dietitians.
Below are six of our favorite protein options, no chunks of steak or block of tofu required.
Barebells Protein Bars
After conducting a protein bar blind taste test in our New York office, we learned a valuable lesson: the best ones don’t feel like you’re eating a protein bar at all. Barebells’ tastes like one you’d grab out of a trick 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 palatable way to get protein on the go.
Read the story: ‘As good as a candy bar’: the best (and worst) protein bars in the US
Biena Crispy Chickpeas
People love to ask plant-based people how they get their protein in. However, even if you abhor tofu, there’s plenty of vegan- and vegetarian-friendly options to choose from. Registered dietician Desiree Nielsen shared a few of her favorites, including these convenient chickpea snacks from Biena, which have 7g of protein per bag.
Read the story: Five high-protein snacks that are good for vegetarians, according to a dietician
Fishwife Tuna
After spending my summer crafting meals with different tins of sardines, tuna and salmon, Fishwife emerged as one of my most-loved options. I particularly adored its soy ginger tuna, which I used as my main protein source for homemade Onigiri. It is already seasoned with ginger and soy sauce, making it easy to toss into a salad or rice bowl. It also boasts 16g of protein per tin, more than some of the bars we tried.
Read the story: I spent months taste-testing 15 tinned fish varieties. These are the ones I’d eat again
Optimum Protein Powder
While protein powders are a simple way to add protein to a shake, smoothie or overnight oats, our testers despised 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 have to put some arm strength into your mixing, as our testers noted it was difficult to combine in liquid.
Wild Planet Sardines
Wild Planet’s Sardines in olive oil were another standout from my summer of tinned fish. I added these to my dinner to add 17g of protein and a much-needed change/spice/pizazz tomy usual bowl of tofu and rice. While experts don’t recommend eating tinned fish every day, registered dietitian Shyla Cadogan told me that fish like sardines usually have less mercury than other varieties.
Aloha Protein Bars
Aloha’s plant-based protein bars were another standout from our blind taste test. We named it our favorite organic option after receiving high praise from our participants who said it “tasted like it was actual chocolate”, and likened it to chocolate ice-cream.
This bar, which has 14g of brown rice and pumpkin seed protein, is one of my personal favorites because it doesn’t upset my sensitive stomach and comes in a variety of flavors, including peanut butter cup and banana bread.
Other pieces you might enjoy from the Filter, the Guardian’s guide to buying fewer, better things:
Five high-protein snacks that are good for vegetarians, according to a dietician
Can I get too much protein? Experts answer your questions on the popular supplement
The best tinned fish, after spending months testing 15 varieties
