GoMacro Bars Review
Does the Substance Really Live Up to the Style? (Nutritionist Reacts)Vegan, non-GMO, gluten-free, organic, rich in protein and delicious—GoMacro bars seem too good to be true! They’re pricey, though. So are they worth it?
Founded by a mother-daughter team following a macrobiotic diet, this quick and convenient nutrition option emphasizes ingredients that are grown, not made. The bars quickly took the market by storm, becoming a favorite among healthy-living enthusiasts on the go.
Are these plant-based protein bars the best available snack option, though?
Join me to learn everything about GoMacro and whether or not it’s really the best bar.
What Is the GoMacro Bar?
GoMacro bars are protein-rich snacks with many accolades. For one, they’re gluten-free, vegan, organic, kosher, non-GMO, as well as certified C.L.E.A.N and R.A.W. They’re also among the rare health bars suitable for low-FODMAP diets, too.
However, before diving into the deets about these stunning products, let’s learn about the team behind them.
GoMacro is a family-owned business that came to life on a Wisconsin farm in 2003. The brand has only grown since, making plant-based protein snacks accessible to people across the States.
The company strives to promote eco-friendliness and plant-based living. All ingredients are non-GMO, free of artificial sugars and preservatives, and grown using green farming practices.
The company spearheads a sustainability initiative, producing packaging from post-consumer waste and donating unused ingredients. The snacks come in compostable trays, allowing you to give back with each purchase.
“We absolutely love this flavor! The only issue was that it’s best to warm them in your pocket or dashboard cos when they’re cold, they’re like chewing a sticky chunk of frozen peanut butter, haha. Other than that great texture, the coconut is delicious but not overwhelming, the ingredients don’t leave any room for question of quality—just good snacks!”
The company sounds amazing, doesn’t it?
We have to agree, but we won’t stop our assessment at the level of company operations. As you know from our buyer’s guide on plant bars, we don’t let looks obscure the substance.
Let’s take a deep dive into everything GoMacro bars have to offer.
Nutritional Macros of GoMacro Bars
GoMacro sells four product types:
- Protein bars
- Snack bars (a bit lower in protein)
- Kids bars (snacks for youngsters)
- Minis (the smaller version of regular protein products)
We’re focusing on GoMacro’s protein bar in this review. On average, one bar contains:
- 270–280 calories
- 10–11 grams of protein
- 9–10 grams of fat (with 0% trans fat)
- 2–3 grams of fiber
- 11–12 grams of added sugars
These figures are in the ballpark of what you’d see in most store-bought bars. So, what makes GoMacro different? Let’s explore the benefits and drawbacks of their products.
Pros and Cons of GoMacro Bars
Highest-quality, plant-based ingredients are the main selling point of everything GoMacro. GoMacro is among those rare manufacturers who can put ‘organic’ before every ingredient and stay 100% honest doing so.
Is this practice enough to help you find nutritional balance? Or does the bar fail to meet this standard?
The table below outlines the benefits and drawbacks of this product relative to its competitors on the market.
Texture and Taste
First up, we must say that the flavor variety available with GoMacro is impressive. The protein bars come in the following 13 flavors:
- Lemon
- Banana + Almond Butter
- Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip
- Coconut + Almond Butter + Chocolate Chip
- Peanut Butter
- Mocha Chocolate Chip
- Sunflower Butter + Chocolate
- Dark Chocolate + Almonds
- Oatmeal Chocolate Chips
- Double Chocolate + Peanut Butter Chips
- Maple Sea Salt
- Blueberry + Cashew Butter
- Cashew Caramel
This scope is fascinating, and the organic nature of the ingredients makes each flavor stand out. However, an issue arises with the texture.
While delicious, GoMacro offers an overly-chewy texture that you need to wash down with several glasses of water. Cold temperatures also leave the bar very hard to bite into, while warmth makes it melt in your pocket.
Macros
Although not particularly protein-rich, GoMacro packs quite a plant-based nutritional punch with a decent amount of all three macronutrients.
A single 280-calorie bar contains 11 grams of protein, 10 grams of fat, and about 36 grams of carbs. This balanced nature makes it easy to fit GoMacro snacks into your overall dietary plan without tipping the scales.
Plant Protein or Fiber Content
All the protein and fiber in GoMacro products come from natural sources.
The organic protein blend combines brown rice and pea protein to deliver your daily muscle boost without any gluten or soy. The fiber is sourced from oats, rice, and flax seeds.
Nutrient quality isn’t an issue, but looking at their 10 grams of protein and 3 grams of fiber, we’d say that quantity could be better.
Protein and fiber bars should supply you with considerable amounts of these two nutrients. Anything over 20 grams of protein and 10 grams of fiber is bad news for your digestion. GoMacro could come closer to the line of nutritional effectiveness.
Ingredients
GoMacro puts ingredient quality at the forefront of its production efforts. Everything is organic, sourced from eco-friendly farms, and free of artificial additives and preservatives.
This wholesome recipe is near-perfect and treats your body to real foods that don’t cause digestive issues or introduce unnecessary chemicals to your diet. One issue we did notice, however, was a high allergen presence.
You see, the production facility also processes peanuts and tree nuts. As a result, even nut-free products can be risky for those with allergies.
Value
GoMacro produces premium-quality protein bars, a mission made possible thanks to top-tier ingredients. The scope of their certifications and suitability to various dietary preferences further support their claim of excellence.
Busy people in need of first-grade quick meals free of artificial ingredients find tremendous value for their money in GoMacro.
However, an average shopper might find the macro count a bit too low to account for the price. The comparatively low-calorie, low-protein bar isn’t enough for a full meal, but it costs almost as much as one.
Low Sugar
All sugar in GoMacro products is organic, sourced primarily from coconut. There’s no alcohol or cane sweetener to speak of, but we do see a problem with the amount. An individual bar brings around 11 grams of added sugar to your daily calorie total.
This figure is over half the suggested amount for an average person, making it a tricky snack for anybody who watches their sugar intake.
GoMacro Bar vs. Human Food Bar
Overall, GoMacro delivers a high-caliber product. Although lacking in some respects, these bars have a fantastic organic base that sends them head and shoulders above most competitors.
It’s products like these that helped us develop our own Human Food Bar. We looked extensively through the market to find the top available products and use them as inspiration.
The table below displays the areas of improvement we introduced to the already impressive formula of GoMacro.
| GoMacro Bars | Human Food Bars | |
| Fiber | Low—only 2–3 grams of fiber per bar | Ideal—8 grams of fiber per bar (enough to help you meet your daily goals without disrupting digestion) |
| Texture | Too hard when cold, too chewy when warm | Creamy and soft in most temperatures |
| Rare Ingredients | No | Yes—baobab, tiger nuts and green banana flour |
Our premium bars come packed with health-boosting superfoods. They’re suitable for everyday consumption, helping you meet your wellness and fitness goals.
Join the waitlist and be the first to know when The Human Food Bar hits the market.
GoMacro: The Final Verdict
Overall, GoMacro stands its ground upon close inspection. Substance does live up to style—especially with this manufacturer who puts quality first.
If you’re looking for a gluten-free, plant-based bar to carry anywhere you go, you can’t go wrong with GoMacro.
Still, you should always, make sure to supplement your protein and fiber intake with other food sources and be careful about added sugars to make the most of this balanced health bomb.
If GoMacro beats most products on the market, just imagine what our Human Food Bar will do! Treat your body right with the highest-quality treats and never again reach for store-bought artificial snacks.
Still not sure? Check out these reviews of other fiber rich bars we tested:
Frequently Asked Questions
Are GoMacro bars vegan?
Yes, GoMacro bars are vegan. In fact, they’re 100% plant-based. The original recipe for these bars was inspired by the macrobiotic diet, which is predominantly vegan. GoMacro also promotes sustainability, largely made possible thanks to its cruelty-free practices.
Are GoMacro bars good for you?
Yes, GoMacro fuels your body with good-for-you ingredients. Everything from the roasted peanuts to the cocoa butter and blueberries used in these bars is organic and high-quality. You can’t get much healthier than GoMacro (if we’re discussing snack bars).
Which diets does GoMacro fit?
GoMacro fits a whole range of diets. These bars can be a part of the following specialized nutrition plans:
- Macrobiotic
- Vegetarian and vegan
- Low-FODMAP
- Gluten-free
- Organic
- Kosher
Note: Unlike our Human Food Bar, GoMacro bars are loaded with lectins and unsuitable for the Plant Paradox Diet.
How to find the best protein bar?
Any protein bar worth your time and money should meet the following criteria:
- A good balance of macronutrients (avoid bars with over 10 grams of fiber and 20 grams of protein)
- An ingredient list free of artificial products, chemicals, and preservatives
- Low in added sugars and saturated fats
Organic ingredients and superfoods are the icing on the cake and can help you to distinguish between good and excellent products.