8 Best Meal Replacement Bars in 2024

Whether you’re looking to get some extra calories on a bulk or want an easy snack to take on the go, meal replacement bars are a great option. Not only are they an excellent source of carbs, fat, and protein, but they’re packed with micronutrients as well. 

Keep reading to see our top picks for the best meal replacement bars available today!

Top 8 Best Meal Replacement Bars Reviewed

1. GNC Total Lean Bar – Top Pick
2. SANS Meal Replacement Protein Bar – Highest in Potassium Option with No Added Sugar
3. Protein Bars by Legion – High Protein Bar
4. MET-Rx Big 100 – Highest in protein and Calcium Option
5. PERFECT FOODS Perfect Bar – Best Low Sodium Option
6. SlimFast Delights Meal Replacement Bar – Richest in Fiber Option
7. ZonePerfect Protein Bar – Budget Pick
8. Rise Bar

Product	Total	Macro Breakdown	Fiber per Serving	Micro Breakdown	Taste + Texture	Nutrition Label Transparency	Value for Money
GNC Total Lean	55.5	9	9.5	9	9.5	9.5	9
SANS	54	8	10	9	9	9.5	8.5
Legion	54	9	10	8	9.5	9.5	8
MET-Rx	53.5	8.5	8	9	9.5	9.5	9
PERFECT FOODS	53.5	8	8.5	9	9.5	9.5	9
SlimFast Delights	53	8	10	8.5	8.5	9.5	8.5
ZonePerfect	52.5	8	8	8.5	9.5	9.5	9
Rise	52	8	8.5	8	9	9.5	9

Starting our list, our top pick for the best meal replacement bar available is GNC’s Lean Bar. While this is a good lower-calorie option, it’s still high in fiber and protein as well. Let’s take a closer look!

As mentioned, this is one of the lowest calorie options featured on our list at only 170-190 calories per bar. With that being said, you’re not sacrificing protein as these still have a solid 15-16g per serving. This makes them ideal for those looking to use these for weight loss. The rest of the calories are made up of 6-8g of fat and 14-22g of carbs. 

These bars are also still high in fiber despite the low calories with up to 7g of serving depending on the flavor. Fiber helps with satiety, so choosing high fiber options may be optimal for weight loss. 

Moving on to micronutrients, Lean Bar’s have a solid blend of different vitamins and minerals, although it’s very low in certain key micros like Iron, and doesn’t contain others like Vitamin D. With that being said, you get a decent amount of B Vitamins.

GNC’s a great choice if you’re looking for unique flavors, as they currently offer their bars in 8 different options on Amazon. Just keep in mind some flavors like the “Girl Scout” varieties aren’t the best choice for meal replacement bars. Not only do they only have 1g of fiber per serving, but they don’t have a very complete micronutrient profile either. 

It’s also worth noting that these are sweetened with the artificial ingredient sucralose in case this is something that you choose to avoid. 

Finally, although this isn’t the cheapest option on our list, it’s still one of the most budget-friendly picks available at only ~$1.67 per bar!

Next up on our list is SANA Meal Replacement Protein Bar, which is a great alternative to GNC if you’re looking for higher-calorie, low-sugar meal replacement bars. Just keep in mind it’s a bit more expensive!

In terms of calories, SANS bars are nearly twice as much as GNC’s at 380-390 calories per serving. Despite this, they have very similar protein content with SANS only having 14-15g in each bar. 

The rest of the macros are made up of 23-24g of fats, and 35-36g of carbs. With almonds being one of the main ingredients being almonds it makes sense why these are the fattiest option on our list. However, they also have a good amount of fiber at 7-9g per serving, as well as no added sugar.  

These are also a slightly more nutritionally complete alternative to GNC containing more of certain key micronutrients like potassium and magnesium. With that being said, they have some similar shortcomings here like lacking Vitamin D. 

There’s a decent amount of flavor variety available here with SANS coming in 5 different flavors. This is also a great “all-natural” option containing no artificial ingredients or added sugar! Considering their high-quality formula, these are arguably the healthiest meal replacement bars available. 

Although these are clearly a high-quality choice, this also comes at a price as each SANS bar will cost you around $3.29, which is nearly twice as much as GNC.

Taking the third spot on our list is Legion’s Protein bars. While these are a great high protein option, it’s worth noting that they don’t contain very many micronutrients. Still, if you’re looking for a more traditional protein bar, these are one of the best choices out there. 

This is a good moderate-calorie option at 240-250 calories per serving. This is also the highest protein option we’ve covered so far with a solid 20g per serving. 

The rest of the calories come from 11g of fat and 28g of carbs. The carbs are broken down between a solid 6-9g of fiber, alongside a fairly low 3-4g of added sugar.

As mentioned, Legion’s product delivers on the macros but falls short with the vitamins and minerals. While it has a small amount of calcium, iron, and potassium, these are the only micros you’ll be getting out of Legion’s bars.

With that being said, this is still a high-quality natural formula with no additional artificial preservatives or flavors. It also comes in a decent variety of 4 different flavors!

Despite the limited micro breakdown, this is also the most expensive product we’ve covered so far, narrowly edging out the SANS bars at ~$3.33 per serving.

While the previous product we covered has a solid amount of protein, this next option is the highest protein meal replacement bar on our list by far. If you’re looking to maximize protein and calorie intake, MET-RX’s Big 100 bars are for you. 

At 410 calories per serving, these are easily the highest-calorie bar we’re covering, making them perfect for bulking. As mentioned, they’re also the highest protein bar on our list with a whopping 32g of protein in each bar. 

You can also expect 14g of fat and 42g of carbs. It should be noted that these bars have a relatively low amount of fiber at 3g per serving while having the highest amount of added sugar on our list at 24g per serving. 

However, the Big 100 bars also deliver one of the best micronutrient profiles of any bar on our list. Not only does it have a solid amount of iron, but a good amount of calcium and B Vitamins as well. 

If you’re looking for an “all-natural” supplement, MET-Rx’s bars don’t contain any artificial ingredients, although they are fairly high in sugar. They also offer a solid amount of flavor variety, with 7 different options available on their Amazon store. We recommend going with Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough if you want a lower-sodium option!

Finally, as you may expect from the high calories and dense micro breakdown, these are the most expensive bars on our list at ~$3.56 per serving.

Up next is an all-natural bar which doesn’t have the highest protein content, but offers one of the lowest sodium options on our list. Let’s take a closer look at the Perfect Bar and see if it lives up to its name. 

There’s a fairly wide variation in the macros and serving sizes depending on flavors here, so be sure you’re buying one that fits your needs! You can expect 250-350 calories per bar and 9-17g of protein. 

For fat there’s anywhere from 14-22g per serving, as well as 24-27g of carbs. Similar to MET-Rx’s product, Perfect is fairly low in fiber with 2-3g per serving, and decently high in added sugar with 11-19g in each bar. It is worth noting that these are some of the lowest sodium bars on our list if this is important to you. 

While its micronutrient breakdown isn’t as impressive as some other products on our list, Perfect still delivers a decent amount of Magnesium and Phosphorus, as well as an average amount of Iron and Calcium. 

As mentioned, this is an all-natural bar made up of organic whole-food ingredients! It also comes in a solid amount of different flavors giving you a good range of options to choose from.

These are also a slightly more affordable option compared to the last few bars we’ve looked at, only costing about $2.24 per serving.

Next up is SlimFast’s Meal Replacement Bars which – as you may expect from their name – is a great pick if you’re looking to lose weight. This is because on top of having the most fiber out of any bars on our list, they are also low in calories. 

At only 190 calories per bar, they’ll make a great satiating snack if you’re eating in a caloric deficit. With that being said, they are fairly low in protein with only 7g per bar. Overall, the low calories and protein don’t make these an ideal meal replacement. 2 servings may be more ideal as a meal replacement, otherwise, treat this option more as a nutritionally dense snack. 

The rest of the calories are made up of 14g of fat and 15g of carbs. There is 3g of added sugar here alongside an excellent 9g of fiber, making these some of the most filling bars on our list for the calories!

SlimFast also delivers on the micros, arguably having the most complete set of vitamins and minerals on our list. It’s the first product we’ve covered to contain a good amount of Vitamin D and Iodine, as well as having solid amounts of Iron, B Vitamins, and Zinc.

While SlimFast doesn’t appear to contain any artificial ingredients, it also certainly isn’t an organic, whole foods-based bar either. Also, although SlimFast offers several different lines of bars, these bars only appear to be available in 1 flavor. 

Overall, these are a solid pick if you’re looking for a more low-calorie, nutrient-dense option. They also won’t cost you too much, coming in at only ~$2.00 per serving.

Next up, if you’re looking for a high-quality bar for the least amount of money possible, look no further than ZonePerfect, which is our budget pick. Let’s see what this bar has to offer!

This is a low to moderate-calorie bar with 180-220 calories depending on the flavor. It’s also fairly low in protein, only containing 10-15g in each bar. 

You’ll also be getting 6-8g of fat and 18-30g of carbs. They have fairly high added sugar content at 10-17g, although they have very low fiber with only 0-3g. 

For the micros, they’re fairly standard for our list. You can expect a good amount of B Vitamins, and Zinc, although it’s lacking in things like Iron and Vitamin D. 

These also don’t appear to contain any artificial ingredients, although, like SlimFast, they also aren’t made up of organic whole foods either. One major highlight here is the flavor variety, with 15 flavors to choose from, the most on our list by far!

Finally, as mentioned these are a great choice if you’re on a budget as they’re only about $1.25 each!

Closing off our list is Rise, which has the tagline “the simplest protein bar”. Let’s see how its basic formula compares to the rest of our list!

These are moderate-calorie bars containing 270-280 calories per serving. They also have a solid amount of protein for the calories with 15-20g depending on the flavor.

The other macros are broken down between 15-16g of fat and 21-25g of carbs. You can also expect a moderate 4g of fiber and a fairly high 12-13g of added sugar. 

It’s worth noting that the micro breakdown here is very limited, so these may not be the best option as a full meal replacement, instead being better used as simple energy bars. 

And simple these protein bars are! Each bar is only made up of 3-5 ingredients making them a great choice if you want a high-quality whole foods-based option. They also only come in 2 flavors, which is fairly limited compared to some other options on our list. 

Finally, these are another fairly budget-friendly pick with a moderate price tag of only ~$2.18 per bar!

How Do Meal Replacement Bars Differ From Protein / Energy Bars?

The main reason meal replacement bars can be seen as different from protein/energy bars is that they often contain solid amounts of vitamins and minerals. They are a better option nutritionally, making them more suitable as a meal substitute. 

With this being said, if you’re confident you’re getting enough vitamins and minerals through your diet and other supplementation, there’s nothing wrong with eating more standard protein bars. Just keep in mind that for this list, we mainly focused on options that have solid micronutrient breakdowns, as well as a good amount of calories. 

What Are the Benefits of Meal Replacement Bars?

While meal replacement bars certainly aren’t necessary to have a healthy diet, they can be beneficial mainly for their convenience. Below we’ll be covering why you may benefit from keeping meal replacement bars stocked in your pantry. 

✅ Great for an Easy, Convenient Snack on the Go

One of the main benefits of a great meal replacement bar is that you can bring them anywhere, and you don’t need to spend any time preparing them. This makes them ideal for those who need to eat while they’re at school or work, as well as those who are just too busy to cook a full meal. 

While they’re no substitute for an otherwise healthy diet, they make a perfect snack if you don’t have the time to make a full meal. 

✅ Easy Source of Calories for Those on a Bulk

With some of the bars on our list having 300-400 calories per serving, meal replacement bars are an easy way to get a solid amount of quick calories in. Simply have these as a snack in between meals, or treat them as a protein-packed dessert. 

Going back to the point above, it can also be tough to consistently eat a high-calorie diet while you’re at work or school. This makes meal replacement bars ideal if you’re bulking and struggling to find time to prepare and eat high-calorie meals. 

How to Choose the Best Meal Replacement Bars?

Before deciding which meal replacement bars are right for you, there are a few factors to look for to see if they’re right for you. These mainly involve their nutritional information, as well as what your specific goals and needs are! Let’s get into it. 

1. Look for Those That Are High in Added Vitamins and Minerals

First, as mentioned above, the difference between a regular protein bar and a meal replacement bar is the amount of vitamins and minerals they should contain. So, looking at the micronutrient breakdown is a good way to gauge how complete a bar is as an actual meal replacement. 

Consider which micros you want to get more of in your diet and prioritize them when making your decision. These could be vitamins like Vitamin B12 and Vitamin D, or minerals like calcium, or iron.  

2. Look For More Whole-Food Ingredients

Another good way to gauge the quality of a meal replacement bar is to consider whether or not its ingredients list is made up of largely whole foods. This would be ideal, especially if you mainly eat a diet consisting of whole foods, and don’t want to add in any unnecessary artificial ingredients to your diet. However you also need to understand that we are trying to fit a meal into a bar, so let’s have realistic expectations.

Keep in mind that not all of the bars featured on our list have formulas made up of mainly whole foods, so double-check the ingredients list if this is important to you. 

3. Know Your Goal

Arguably one of the most important factors when deciding which meal replacement bar is right for you is knowing what you’re trying to accomplish. If you want to lose weight, choosing a higher protein, lower-calorie bar will be ideal. If you’re looking to use them as a bulking snack, there’s nothing wrong with a higher-calorie, higher-carb option. If weight management (cutting/bulking) is one of your goals, knowing how that bar will affect your total daily kcal intake can be very helpful.

4. Choose bars with a higher protein content 

Especially if you’re looking to lose weight, we recommend prioritizing protein over carbs and fat. This is because protein is the most satiating macronutrient, as well as being the most important macronutrient for maintaining muscle mass on a cut. So, if you’re using a bar for some of your daily calories, you’ll want to make sure it’s keeping you full as well as helping you maintain muscle. Using bar as a meal replacement can’t result in missing some of your proteins you need to get during a day. Proteins are far more important than “just” building muscles. Be sure you still get what you need.

5. Pay Attention to the Calorie and Macro Content of the Bar

Pick a bar that has an appropriate amount of calories to assist with your goal. The bars on our list range from less than 200 calories to well over 400 calories per serving. Choose a bar that fits in line with your daily calorie needs to ensure you’re making consistent progress. 

Beyond just considering calories, consider the other macronutrients you’re getting. If you’re looking to gain weight, you may want a bar higher in carbs and fats, as this will maximize calorie count. If you’re looking to lose weight, you probably want a higher ratio of protein to carbs and fats. Also, if you’re concerned about the amount of added sugar in your diet, consider an option with close to 0g per serving. 

6. Look for Bars With a Higher Amount of Fiber per Serving 

Similar to protein, fiber increases the satiety of foods, making high-fiber bars a great choice for those on a cut. With fiber also just being beneficial for overall health, we recommend looking for bars that have a good amount of fiber per serving. 

7. Choose Lower-Sodium Bars

The vast majority of people get more than enough sodium in their diets already. Although all the options on our list have some sodium, you may want to consider an option with less if you know you already consume a lot of sodium through the rest of your diet. 

8. Pay Attention to Sugar Alcohols

Finally, consider the sugar alcohol content of the bars you’re purchasing. These are a lower-calorie alternative to sugars, and are commonly used in foods like meal replacement bars. While you probably don’t need to avoid them entirely, pay close attention to erythritol, mannitol, and sorbitol as these are known to cause a strong laxative effect and other gut issues in some people. 

FAQ

Are Meal Replacement Bars Good for You?

As long as you’re eating an otherwise healthy diet consisting mainly of whole foods, there’s nothing wrong with incorporating a high-quality meal replacement bar into your diet. Especially if you’re choosing meal bars made of high-quality ingredients, they are a great alternative to other sweets. 

Is It Ok to Replace Meals With Protein Bars?

As long as you’re choosing high-protein meal replacement bars rich in micronutrients, then it’s alright to occasionally replace meals with these supplements if you’re on the go and don’t have time to make a full meal. Overall, we don’t recommend over-relying on meal replacement snacks, so you should still be eating a diet largely consisting of whole foods. 

What Are the Best Bars for In-Between Meals?

The best meal replacement protein bars for snacking in-between meals are any that contain a high amount of micronutrients, as well as fit your dietary goals. Overall, the best meal replacement bar for weight loss will be very different from the best bar for weight gain, so it’s tough to make a general recommendation without knowing your goals. 

Be sure to check out the full meal replacement bars reviews above so you know which product will work best for you!

Conclusion

We hope this list of high-quality, healthy meal replacement bars can help you make a more informed decision! Remember to consider your individual goals before deciding which bar is right for you!

Overall, our top pick for the highest-quality, and best-tasting meal replacement bars is GNC’s Total Lean Bar.

Do you have any recommendations for the best high-protein meal replacement bars? Have you tried any of the products on our list? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

Also read:

• Best Vegan Meal Replacement Powder
• Best Meal Replacement Shakes for Keto
• Best Meal Replacement Shakes for Weight Gain
• Best Meal Replacement Shakes for Diabetics

References

1. The Nutrition Source, “Vitamin B12”, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/vitamin-b12/#:~:text=Vitamin%20B12%2C%20or%20cobalamin%2C%20is,in%20the%20foods%20we%20eat. (Accessed Nov. 15, 2023)
2. The Nutrition Source, “Vitamin D”, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/vitamin-d/ (Accessed Nov. 15, 2023)
3. The Nutrition Source, “Calcium”, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/calcium/ (Accessed Nov. 15, 2023)
4. The Nutrition Source, “Iron”, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/iron/ (Accessed Nov. 15, 2023)
5. The Nutrition Source, “Salt and Sodium”, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/salt-and-sodium/ (Accessed Nov. 15, 2023)
6. Andrea Aguilar, “What are Sugar Alcohols”, Michigan State University, https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/what_are_sugar_alcohols  (Accessed Nov. 15, 2023)