Protein is key to helping our bodies do their job. It is vital to muscle repair after a hard workout, and it is also the building block for our energy. In short, it is our fuel. So many of us invest in a good protein bar to carry around with us or add to our lunch.
There are a lot of options, and each comes with its own special flavors and formulation of nutritional numbers. One of the bars that you may have come across is the Nature Valley Protein Bar, and we are sure you want to know if it’s worth it. So below, we are taking an in-depth look at the bar to help you answer that question.
Nature Valley Protein Bar Review
The Nature Valley Protein Bar comes in a wide range of flavors, so you will be able to find one you and your taste buds like. The bars can range in protein from 10 – 15g (the ones that contain 15g of protein are called XL) and are crafted using all-natural ingredients.
You can get the protein bars in different textures as well, including crunchy and chewy. The nutritional value of a bar at its 40g serving size includes around 200 calories, 10g protein, 12g of fat, and 15g of carbs, but this varies slightly based on the bar.
Who Is This Product For?
Anyone can benefit from including one of the bars in the everyday routines, whether it be for a snack on the go or for after the gym. But because of the bar’s protein content, some might get a little more out of it than the casual gym-goer. The regular bars are a great option. Those who like to work hard at the gym regularly will get more from the XL option of the bars.
What’s In Them?
So when you look at the ingredients, you will see they are all-natural, which is what many people really love about the Nature Valley Protein Bar. No matter the flavor, each of the bars will have the following ingredients in the recipe:
- Almond butter (specific options)
- Peanut butter (specific options)
- Whole grain oats
- Whey protein
- Soy protein
Overview of Features
There is a lot that we think is beneficial about the protein bars from Nature Valley. The bars are crafted using high-quality, all-natural ingredients. This means that they are naturally just more healthy for you than other options on the market. The high protein level is ideal for after workouts and comes in multiple measurements (10g or 15g).
But one of the things we like the best is the variety that is available. There are tons of options, including flavors like salted caramel dark chocolate, peanut butter dark chocolate, and sweet and salty. These flavors are all achieved without using artificial flavors. Plus they are easy to take with you anywhere.
Even with that, they are not a perfect option. Not all the bars are gluten-free, and this could be a problem for those with food sensitivities. On top of that, they are a little pricey and they are not intended to be used as a nutritional supplement bar.
How to Get the Most Out of It
The way to get the most of a Nature Valley protein bar is to make sure you eat it at the right time. Most experts say you should eat the bar shortly after finishing your workout, no more than two hours after, so that the protein can help with muscle repair.
If you want to learn more about the bar, you should check out this video.
Pros
- High-quality natural ingredients are used in the recipe
- Packed with protein to help with energy
- Flavors are all created without artificial sweeteners
- Available in a wide range of flavors
- Nature Valley protein bars are packaged individually for better transportation
Cons
- Bars are not all gluten-free
- High in nutrition but not meant to be a nutritional bar
- Some may find the price of the bars a little on the pricey side
Alternative
Having a good protein bar to snack on after a workout or throughout the day as a little pick-me-up is always nice. But sometimes they can be a bit pricey. You may also need a little more protein content, and if either or both of these issues are why you are considering another option than the bars we are looking at, then we have a great alternative.
Kirkland Signature Protein Bar
The Kirkland Protein bar by Costco is a great option to choose from. Instead of just 10-15g of protein, as in the Nature Valley bar, this bar comes packed with 21g of protein. This makes it a great choice for those who are super active or hit the gym hard on a regular basis.
The price is comparative to the Nature Valley protein bars but still comes in a little under some of the options. This might make them appealing to the budget gym goer.
Final Thoughts
If you are looking for a quick and easy way to get your protein in, then you might like any of them any flavors of the Nature valley protein bar.
Pingback: Purely Inspired Organic Protein Review - Title Here