Best Protein Bars for Diabetics: Low-Sugar, High-Protein Snack Options

Choosing the Best Protein Bars for Diabetics

Following a diabetic diet often means paying close attention to carb intake from meals and snacks. Protein bars can be a convenient way to curb hunger between meals. However, with the array of protein and energy bars on the market, deciphering good options for diabetics can get confusing.

Benefits of Protein Bars for Diabetics

Protein bars offer some useful advantages for managing diabetes:

• Curb appetite and cravings
• Provide sustained energy from protein and fat
• Portable for on-the-go needs
• Help meet daily protein targets
• Offer vitamins and minerals

The key is selecting bars that fit into a diabetic nutrition plan instead of throwing blood sugar out of whack.

What to Look for in Diabetes-Friendly Protein Bars

When comparing protein and energy bars, read nutrition labels closely to evaluate:

• Total carbohydrates: Bars with 30 grams or less total carbs per serving are ideal.
• Sugar content: Select bars with 10 grams or less of sugars.
• Sugar substitutes: Bars made with diabetics-safe sweeteners earn bonus points.
• Protein and fat: Choose bars with at least 10 grams of protein and some healthy fats.
• Fiber content: Higher is better for digestive and blood sugar benefits.
• Ingredients: Bars made from whole, natural ingredients are preferable.
• Portion size: Pay attention to serving sizes to properly account for carb counts.

The 7 Best Store-Bought Protein Bars for Diabetics

Its easy to grab an protein bar without checking the label too closely. But not all bars are created equal when you have diabetes. After comparing nutrition profiles, here are 7 top-rated store-bought brands that deliver:

Quest Nutrition Protein Bars

With only 1 gram sugar and 20-21 grams protein per serving, Quest bars dominate rankings for diabetic protein bars. Flavors like chocolate chip cookie dough, mint chocolate, and lemon cake taste more like candy bars than diet food.

ThinkThin High Protein Bars

For a protein-packed snack, ThinkThin cannot be beat with 20 grams protein and only 1 gram sugar. Flavors include chocolate fudge brownie, chocolate peanut butter, and cookies and cream.

One Brands Protein Bars

At just one gram of sugar and 15 grams protein, One brand bars offer guilt-free snacking. Try flavors like maple glazed doughnut, cinnamon roll, chocolate chip cookie dough, and birthday cake.

NuGo Slim Protein Bars

With 16 grams protein, 9 grams fiber, and no sugar substitutes, NuGo Slim bars are a nutritious choice. Flavors include chocolate pretzel, dark cocoa roasted almond, dark chocolate sea salt, and more.

Grenade Carb Killa Protein Bars

The Grenade Carb Killa bars only have 2 grams sugar but pack a whopping 20 grams protein. Go for flavors like white chocolate salted peanut or cookies and cream.

Power Crunch Protein Bars

For a sweet high protein snack, reach for Power Crunch bars with flavors like chocolate mint, cookies and cream, and lemon cake. Each mini-wafer bar has 12-13 grams protein, 9 grams fiber and only 1 gram sugar.

Atkins Milk Chocolate Delight Bars

The Atkins brand now makes these delicious bars with 21 grams protein, 27 grams fiber, and sweetened with glycerin and sucralose. One bar has 11 net carbs.

While these store-bought bars meet guidelines for carbohydrates, sugar, and protein, some people with diabetes still experience spikes. Use a blood glucose monitor to track your individual responses.

6 Homemade Protein Bar Recipes for Diabetics

Concocting homemade protein bars lets you control the exact ingredients going into your snacks. Try out one of these tasty recipes:

No-Bake Cookie Dough Protein Bars

These kids favorite bars mimic cookie dough flavor in a portable protein bar with healthy fats from peanut butter and nuts. Customize with sugar-free chocolate chips if desired.

Pumpkin Spice Protein Bars

These soft and chewy bars blend fiber-rich pumpkin puree, Greek yogurt, and warming fall spices like cinnamon and nutmeg for the perfect autumn treat.

Crunchy Coffee Protein Bars

Get extra energy from cold brew coffee used to flavor this protein bar loaded with fiber, healthy fats and protein. A dark chocolate drizzle finishes it off.

Blueberry Lemon Protein Bars

Bursting with fresh fruit flavor, these bars pair tangy lemon Greek yogurt with antioxidant-rich blueberries, oats, and nuts. So tasty!

Apple Pie Energy Bars

You cannot go wrong combining old-fashioned apple pie flavors of cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla into a grab-and-go protein and fiber-fueled bar.

Almond Joy Protein Bars

Indulge chocolate and coconut cravings just like the classic candy bar. Chopped nuts provide crunch and bolster protein and healthy fats to keep you satisfied for hours.

Other Diabetes-Friendly Snacks

While protein bars can be helpful for curbing appetite between meals, dietary variety also matters. Round out your daily snacks with these other nutritious choices:

Easy Homemade Snacks

• Veggies with hummus
• Celery with nut butter
• Cottage cheese and fruit
• Plain Greek yogurt with nuts and cinnamon
• Apple slices with almond butter
• Hard boiled eggs
• Cheese slices rolled up with deli meat

Convenient Store-Bought Snacks

• Mixed nuts or seeds
• Cheese sticks
• Protein shakes or bars
• Sugar-free jello or pudding cups
• High protein yogurt
• Vegetable chips
• Meat or nut trail mix

Pairing snacks that combine protein, healthy fats, and fiber helps to stabilize blood sugar, manage hunger cues, and give you sustained energy.

Snack Tips for Diabetics

• Time snacks 1-2 hours before meals so they do not ruin appetite.
• Avoid going longer than 3-4 hours without refueling.
• Pair carbs with protein, fat or fiber to blunt blood sugar spikes.
• Measure portions instead of eating straight from a bag.
• Skip snacks with added sugars.
• Stay hydrated to reduce false hunger signals.

Carefully planning snacks and knowing smart swaps to satisfy cravings makes living with diabetes much more manageable.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.