11 High-Protein Keto Bars to Power Your Day

 The scenario is this: You're starving in the middle of the day, just after lunch but still too early for dinner. Most people can just grab a protein bar and carry on with their lives, but things aren't quite that simple for those following the ketogenic diet (why does everything have to have carbohydrates?).

Fortunately, there are still keto protein bar options available; you just need to know what to look for, as maintaining your ketosis will probably be your primary objective. "Eating the correct foods is essential to maintaining ketosis while on a ketogenic diet. Melissa Nieves, RD, of Healthy Meals Supreme tells Health that being in or out of ketosis is a binary state.

What then ought to be included in a keto protein bar, and what ought not to? Nieves advises examining the ingredient list first, paying particular attention to how long or short it is. "As a quick, simple approach, the less ingredients a bar has, the better," she says.

Your best bet is to select bars with less processed ingredients, low sodium content (no more than 140 mg per portion), and plant-based fats (coconut oil, avocado oil).

To aid in satiety, it's also critical that they consume enough protein and fiber. She continues, "Adding more fiber to the diet can help counteract this effect as constipation is one of the most common complaints from those following the keto diet." A high-fiber food should have three grams per serving.

Additionally, the macros of each bar matter because the ketogenic diet is all about that precise ratio of fat to protein to carbs: "When it comes to keto-friendly bars, you should look for ones with net carbs less than 7g, protein between 7-8g, fat around 15g, fiber between 8-9g and added sugar at 3g or less," As reported by Health, Arthur Agatston, MD, is the author of The New Keto-Friendly South Beach Diet: Rev Your Metabolism and Improve Your Health With the Latest Science of Weight Loss.

Still not quite clear? Rest assured—we've got you covered. These are 11 portable, nutritionist-approved keto bars that won't cause you to lose your ketosis.

1. RSP Nutrition Whole Bar

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The RSP Whole Bar is recommended by Essence Nutrition founder, Monica Auslander Moreno, RD. It is a "sturdy bar that has a smooth and velvety chocolate flavor." With only 4g of net carbohydrates, 10 grams of fiber, 18g of premium fats, 11g of grass-fed protein, and no added sugar or sugar alcohols, it provides the perfect nutritional balance in a healthful keto protein bar. She says, "It's sweetened with monk fruit extract."

2. Perfect Keto Bars

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Certified nutritionist Aimee Aristotelous, RD, suggests trying any of Perfect Keto's bars, including the Birthday Cake, Cookie Dough, Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, and Almond Butter Brownie varieties. "It is one of my favorite brands as they use these superior quality ingredients which are beneficial for weight loss and overall health," she says.

3. Doctor's Best Weight Loss Peanut Butter Cup Fat Bombs

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Aristotelous is a fan of these peanut butter and chocolate bars if you're on a tight budget and enjoy the flavor of Reece's Peanut Butter Cups. "With only four grams of net carbohydrates, they can help you to remain in ketosis, while having the taste that really makes you feel like you're cheating," she claims.

4 .Dang Bar

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You can follow the ketogenic diet and still eat a plant-based diet. For those who are attempting to limit their intake of animal products, Aristotelous recommends giving a Dang Bar a try. "It will help you adhere to a ketogenic nutrition plan without any animal products with healthy fats and proteins such as coconut, pea protein, almonds, Chia seeds, and cocoa butter," she says. With 15 grams of fat, 9 grams of protein, and 5 grams of net carbohydrates, this plant-based bar is quite full.

5. South Beach Diet Espresso Nut Entrée Bar

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This South Beach Diet bar has warm, rich flavors of actual coffee and is a touch more nutty. "This barista-approved meal bar is a delicious way to fuel your progress," Dr. Agatson states.

6. EPIC Chicken Sesame BBQ Bar

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Epic Provision's bars are a favorite of Gabby Geerts, RD at Green Chef because they provide grass-fed protein with just a few basic ingredients. She says, "If you're a keto eater, these bars are great." "Very low in carbs, with 5 grams or less, these flavors take the confusion out of keto snacking." For instance, their Chicken Sesame Barbeque Bar has an astounding 13 grams of protein. She does alert us to the fact that a lot of their flavor variations contain dried fruit, which is not allowed on a ketogenic diet.

7. EPIC Sea Salt & Pepper Venison Bar

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Additionally, Geerts recommends this Epic venison bar, which is made entirely of grass-fed venison and spices. It is gluten-free and has 15 grams of protein and 2 grams of total carbohydrates.

8. Bulletproof Lemon Cookie Collagen Protein Bar

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Have a taste for sweets? Geerts supports the Lemon Cookie Collagen Protein Bar from Bulletproof. "Using collagen and coconut and cashew butters, this bar is high in protein and fat to sustain fullness for longer," she says. An extra benefit? The collagen protein aids in maintaining strong bones and skin. In addition, the bar provides 12g protein, 14g fat, and 5g fiber.

9. Primal Kitchen Macadamia Sea Salt Collagen Fuel Bar

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A tiny bit salty, a tiny bit sweet, The creator of High Fiber Keto, Naomi Whittel, lauds this bar made by her friend Mark Sisson, noting that the label says, "Eat Like Your Life Depends On it." "It's made with almonds, macadamia nuts, cashews, pumpkin seeds and a touch of egg white and collagen to give me a bar with a bit more protein than most keto bars (it contains 15 grams versus the 10 grams most others have)," she explains. "I love this bar especially after a workout or even as a meal replacement if I really need it!"

10. Bulletproof Vanilla Shortbread Collagen Protein Bar

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Whittel also enjoys Bulletproof's Collagen Protein Bar in Vanilla Shortbread flavor. "This bar's texture is so good—it's more cookie-like than bar-like, but it still has high-quality ingredients like collagen protein, cashews, MCT oil, and inulin from chicory root. It tastes so good," she declares.

11. SlimFast Keto Nutty Caramel and Nougat Meal Replacement Bar

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This bar is another delicious option that you can get at your neighborhood grocery store. "It contains coconut, MCTs and some added nutrients including B vitamins and some added minerals," says Whittel.