Here’s a list of protein bars with Stevia for those who want a low carbohydrate, high protein bar supplement that doesn’t contain Sucralose. I’ll add to this list from time to time as I find more protein bars that fit this description.
Quest Nutrition Protein Bars (select flavors)
Some flavors of Quest Protein Bars are sweetened only by Stevia, and have no Sucralose. However not all flavors are void of Sucralose.
The Quest Double Chocolate Chunk flavored protein bar is one such flavor that doesn’t have Sucralose.
Ingredients
Contains: Protein blend (milk protein isolate, whey protein isolate), polydextrose (a prebiotic fiber), almonds, water, erythritol, unsweetened chocolate, cocoa processed with alkali, glycerin, cocoa butter. Contains less than 2% of the following: natural flavors, sodium caseinate, sea salt, lecithen (from sunflowers or soy), Stevia sweetener.
| Ingredient | Amount per serving | Daily value % |
|---|---|---|
| Total Fat | 7g | 9 |
| Saturated Fat | 2g | 10 |
| Trans Fat | 0g | 0 |
| Cholesterol | 10mg | 3 |
| Total Carbohydrates | 25g | 9 |
| Dietary Fiber | 12g | 43 |
| Total Sugars | <1g | <2 |
| Added Sugars | 0g | 0 |
| Sugar Alcohol | 9g | —- |
| Protein | 20g | 40 |
Carbohydrate Profile
Quest Protein Bars have a sugar alcohol called erythritol, which has a score of zero, regarding the glycemic index scale, and which contains only 0.2kcal per gram.
The also have a pre-biotic fiber called polydextrose, which has a glycemic index score of 7, but which also can lower the GI of simple sugar.
Taste and Texture
These don’t taste as good as a Cliff Bar, or Kellogg’s Special K Brownie Batter bars. They are soft and a little chewy. I haven’t tested to be sure, but just the texture of the bar makes it seem as though that at least the outer layer would melt, were you to pack it for hiking in a high ambient air environment.
Power Crunch Protein Energy Bars
Power Crunch Protein Energy Bars have more calories, carbs, and fat, but less protein than the Quest Protein Bars. However they are much more tasty and still just a net of 10 grams of carbohydrates.
The Triple Chocolate Power Crunch Protein Energy Bars contain Stevia, with no Sucralose.
Ingredients
Each bar contains: Proto Whey Protein Blend (micro peptides from high-DH hydrolyzed whey protein, whey protein isolate, milk protein isolate), palm oil, enriched flour (wheat flour, malted barley flour, niacin, reduced iron, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin folic acid), palm kernel oil, sugar, cocoa processed with alkali, canola oil, fructose, soy lecithin, natural flavors, maltodextrin, salt, Stevia Leaf extract, baking soda, ammonia bicarbonate, monk fruit.
| Ingredient | Amount per serving | Daily value % |
|---|---|---|
| Total Fat | 13g | 17 |
| Saturated Fat | 7g | 35 |
| Trans Fat | 0g | 0 |
| Cholesterol | 15mg | 5 |
| Total Carbohydrates | 11g | 4 |
| Dietary Fiber | 1g | 4 |
| Total Sugars | 5g | 10 |
| Added Sugars | 5g | 10 |
| Sugar Alcohol | 0g | 0 |
| Protein | 13g | 26 |
Carbohydrate Profile
There are 11g of carbohydrates in a Protein Crunch Protein Energy Bar, 1 of which is from fiber. This leaves 10g of active carbs.
5 of the 10g of carbohydrates is from added sugar, and the other 5g is presumably from wheat and barley flour, which have low to moderate glycemic index scores, fructose which has a GI of 25, and maltodextrin, which has a GI higher than sugar!
Taste and Texture
These bars are much tastier than the Quest Protein Bars, as you can imagine, with the extra sugars and fat. They are light, crunchy as opposed to the heavy chewiness of those Quest bars or a Cliff Bar.
However, they can get a little dry feeling as you’re eating them, as your saliva gets pulled into the powdery whey and flour.
Again, the outer layer of the bar feels as though it would melt in the heat, so maybe not the best high heat hiking snack.
Further Reading
Thanks for checking out this list of protein bars with Stevia! I’ll add to it from time to time as I find more bars that fit the description. But for now check out my hiking nutrition page for hiking calorie calculators, info on macros, electrolytes, hydration, etc.
See ya out there…