The 12 best free-from snack bars

When time is tight, snack bars can make a great on-the-go option, but they’re not all created equal. Christine Bailey runs down 12 of the best on the market…

There’s a new wealth of health bars on the market. But how do you pick one that will actually deliver, next time you’re craving a bite between meals? While fresh wholefoods are always your best bet – especially when it comes to avoiding allergens – snack bars can be a convenient and easy grab-and-go option.

Tips for selecting bars

Here are five ways to help you pick a bar that’s right for you:

Check the sugar content

Often, bars hide their sugar content behind healthier-sounding words, like brown rice syrup, agave syrup, honey, molasses or even dried fruit. These are all forms of sugar. If one of these ingredients is the first or second ingredient on the label, the chances are the sugar content will be high – in some cases higher than a standard chocolate bar. ‘Low’ sugar is considered to be less than 5g sugar per 100g. Beware of labels stating no added sugar: although no sugar is added, there may be naturally occurring sugar in the product (such as from dried fruits).

Get a fibre boost

Check the fibre content on the back of the pack label. If you’re choosing between two similar products and one has more fibre, choose that – fibre will help stabilise blood sugar levels, support digestion and help you feel fuller for longer. Ideally choose a bar with at least 2-5g of fibre per bar.

Look at the portion size

Snack bars vary in their sizes. If you are trying to lose weight, or maintain a healthy one, it’s a good idea to reduce your portions so you may want to select smaller bars. Ideally for a snack look for between 100-200kcal in total, unless you are very active. Don’t kid yourself that you will only eat half of a large bar – it’s better simply to stick to smaller ones if you are watching your weight.

Protein Power

The benefits of choosing a bar with a higher protein level is that they are more satisfying and will help balance your blood sugar levels, meaning that you feel more energised. For a satisfying snack, try to find at least 5-6g of protein per bar.

Ingredient list

When it comes to allergens, the simpler the ingredient list the better. If the ingredients list is a) unpronounceable and b) takes you a long time to read, it’s not for you. The longer the label, the more likely it will contain unnecessary fillers and additives.

The delicious dozen: 12 of the best bars & their pros and cons

The Fitness Favourite

Quest Bars – Strawberry Cheesecake

Quest bars have a huge 20g protein per bar, making them a fitness favourite. They contain whey, but by using erythritol and stevia to sweeten are very low in sugar.

Popular with Children

Nakd Bars Berry Delight

Nakd bars contain dried fruit, meaning high sugar, so these should be kept as a treat. But the ingredient list is short, and they’re small enough to satisfy without blowing your diet.

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Handy for Fitness Fans

Snack Pack by Acti-Snack

OK, they’re not actually bars, but these handy packs are a great gluten- and dairy-free grab-and-go option. The Fruit, Nut & Soya mix pictured packs a protein punch.

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A Free-From Flapjack Option

Mrs Crimbles Apricot and Sultana Bar

This oaty, sugary bar combines dried apricots and sultanas with gluten-free oats. With 150 calories per bar it will give you an energy boost without being too calorific.

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Berry Boost

Creative Nature Goji Goodness

A smaller, lower-calorie bar that’s low in fats but relatively high in sugar and carbs. Gluten-free oats, dried fruits and natural flavourings mean a simple ingredient list.

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Good for a Protein Boost

Bounce Coconut and Lemon Protein Crush

This chewy, crunchy, coconut, cashew and whey protein mix will keep your energy up. It’s sweetened with agave nectar, and has a lowish sugar content, but isn’t dairy-free.

The Paleo Option

Primal Pantry Mixed Berry Paleo Protein Bar

This oat-free, grain-free bar is ideal for paleo-dieters. The sugar content is one of the highest, but they are packed with protein and a decent amount of fibre.

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The Nutty Option

9 Bar Original Nutty*

These sizeable bars are a good breakfast option. They’re fairly calorific but also tend to contain more protein and fats (from nuts and seeds) to keep you sustained longer.

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Healthy Chocolate Fix

Kind Dark Chocolate Nuts & Sea Salt

One of the best bars for protein and fibre, and low in sugar. The combination of fats, protein and fibre makes this a sustaining choice and great for chocolate cravings.

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A Dose of Green Superfoods

Aduna Moringa Green Superleaf Energy Bar

A great combination for green superfood lovers: moringa powder with dried mango and cashews. It’s high in natural sugars, but the use of rice protein keeps it dairy free.

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An Organic Option

Beond Organic Bars by Pulsin

Beond bars come in six flavours and are ideal for kids or if you’re looking for a lighter bite. Similar to Nakd bars, they have a short ingredient list but are high in natural sugars.

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Tropical Snack

Get Fruity Bars – Marvellous Mango

A smaller bar with simple ingredients that may be a good choice for kids. They are still high in natural sugars, but slightly lower than the Nakd bars and Beond options.

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