Barebells Protein Bars Review

5 Reasons to Ditch Barebells Protein Bars (#3 Is the Real Shocker)

If you’ve been on TikTok recently, you’ve probably seen the hype around Barebells Protein bars.

So brace yourself if you consider yourself a Barebells superfan. I’m about to burst your protein-packed bubble.

I know, I know, those TikTok influencers have convinced you that Barebells are the ultimate “healthy” snack. Sure, they offer flavors like Birthday Cake and Cookies & Cream, but are Barebells Protein Bars healthy?

And while these bars are seemingly dirt cheap, they’re full of questionable ingredients (we’ll get into that later).

But let’s face it, those influencers aren’t pushing these bars because they’re actually good for you – they’re making them because Barebells is cutting them a big fat commission check.

So, before you fall for the hype and stock up on these glorified candy bars, let’s peel back the shiny wrapper and expose the not-so-sweet truth about Barebells.

1. Not So Natural Ingredients After All

Barebells loves to brag about “no added sugar,” but peek behind the asterisk, and you’ll find a laundry list of questionable ingredients that leave a sour taste in your mouth.

If you examine the ingredient list more closely, you’ll spot some sneaky little devils called sugar alcohols.

First up, we’ve got maltitol. While maltitol might have a lower glycemic index than table sugar, it’s not a free pass for your blood sugar. According to Brittany Poulson, RDN, CDCES, it can still cause spikes and wreak havoc on your gut, especially in more significant amounts. People with type 2 diabetes need to be mindful of their intake of maltitol-sweetened treats.

Ever heard of the phrase “sugar alcohol gut bomb”? That’s maltitol in action. It’s notorious for causing bloating, gas, and even diarrhea. To be fair to Barebells, they even mention this on their own website:

Then there’s polydextrose, a fancy name for a filler that adds bulk without much nutritional value. It’s like the styrofoam peanuts of the food world – it takes up space but doesn’t offer any real substance.

While it might technically be a type of fiber, it’s not the kind that promotes a healthy gut. In fact, it’s been known to cause some not-so-pleasant side effects, like bloating, gas, and even diarrhea – especially when consumed in large amounts (as this Redditor found out the hard way):

Nauseous after eating protein bars
byu/Kokichi_Ouma_is_god inloseit

Oh, and let’s not forget the artificial sweetener sucralose it might seem like a harmless way to satisfy your sweet tooth, some studies suggest that it could mess with your gut microbiome, the delicate balance of bacteria that plays a crucial role in your overall health.

And if you thought Barebells Proteins Bars were unhealthy, read our review that proves Atkins bars not healthy either.

2. The Truth About “No Added Sugar” Claims*

Barebells loves to claim that these bars have “no added sugar*” but see that pesky asterisk?

That’s Barebells’ way of saying, “Hold my protein shake, there’s more to this story.” While they might not add regular sugar, they dump enough sugar alcohols to rival a candy aisle. And guess what?

Those sugar alcohols still affect your blood sugar levels and can cause the same digestive distress as regular sugar. What’s worse, the intense sweetness from these sugar alcohols might actually be working against you. It tricks your taste buds into craving more sugary treats, leading to potential overconsumption and sabotaging your health goals.

So, that “healthy” claim? It’s ironic how a bar trying to distance itself from candy has enough sugar alcohols to rival a bag of Skittles as this TikTok video clearly points out:

@yasminearida Is the Barbell protein bar actually healthy? 🤔 let me know what you want me to review next 👇🏼 • • • #healthysnacks #proteinbar #proteinbars #proteinsnack #proteinpowder #fitnessmyths #healthmyths #fyp #foryoupage #viral #foodreview ♬ original sound – Yasmine | Fitness & Lifestyle

 

3. Protein Powerhouse or Processed Pretender?

Barebells boasts about its protein content, but let’s be real: most of us aren’t bodybuilders needing a protein overload. You might need the extra protein boost if you lift barbells for hours daily. But the amount packed into a Barebells bar is overkill for the average person. The milk protein blend found in Barebells is a concern. While it does offer some essential amino acids, it also includes lactose, which can cause digestive problems for those with lactose intolerance. And let’s talk macros. A single Barebells bar clocks in at 200 calories, with a whopping 17 grams of net carbs (that’s after subtracting the fiber). That’s a lot of calories and carbs for a relatively small bar, especially considering that most of those carbs come from sugar alcohols. So, unless you’re sweating it out at the gym for hours, you might want to reconsider relying on Barebells for your protein fix.

4. Marketing Magic: The Candy Bar Disguise

Birthday Cake? Cookies & Cream? Chocolate Dough? Are we in the protein bar aisle or Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory? Barebells has mastered the art of deception, making their bars taste suspiciously like your favorite candy bars. But this clever marketing tactic comes with a catch. Barebells blurs the lines between a healthy snack and a decadent treat by mimicking those crave-worthy flavors. Your brain starts associating protein bars with indulgence, making it all too easy to overeat. And let’s be honest, it’s tempting to throw caution to the wind and forget they’re still processed foods loaded with artificial ingredients. The Chocolate Dough and Cookies and Cream flavors taste pretty good at first. But the underlying protein powder taste is noticeable, while the sweetness masks it pretty well I was left with a lingering protein powder aftertaste which was kind of gross. This taste tester experienced a chalky whey protein aftertaste.

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They trick your taste buds into craving more, leading you down a slippery slope of overconsumption and derailing your healthy eating goals. So, while Barebells might taste like a dream, they’re a diet disaster waiting to happen.

Looking for other Keto/Low Carb Protein Bars? Read our Atkins bars review for an alternative to Barebells Protein Bars.

Our Review

Barebells Protein Bars Review

Barebells are the ultimate wolf in sheep’s clothing. They lure you in with promises of “healthy” indulgence, but the reality is a processed nightmare disguised in flashy packaging. Don’t be fooled by the TikTok hype or the tempting flavors – these bars are far from the nutritional powerhouse they claim to be. So, if you’re serious about fueling your body with quality nutrients, ditch the Barebells and opt for real food.

Taste and Texture

Nutrition Macros

Fiber Quality

Ingredients

Value

Pros

High in protein

Taste pretty good (at first)

Cons

Lots of sugar alcohols

Questionable fiber

Can cause gas & bloating

2

Tired of Barebells’ Sugar-Coated Lies? Treat Your Gut to Real Food

If Barebells’ laundry list of artificial ingredients and questionable health claims left you feeling queasy, don’t worry, there’s a better way to satisfy your cravings and nourish your gut.

Unlike Barebells, Human Food Bar is made with whole-food ingredients and packs a powerful punch of resistant starch, a prebiotic fiber that feeds your beneficial gut bacteria. 

There are no weird science experiments here, just real food that tastes delicious and keeps you full and satisfied. Try Human Food Bar today and experience the difference real food can make. Your gut will thank you.

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