I’m a Dietitian and This Is My Favorite Healthy High-Protein Granola Bar

As a dietitian, I’m all about convenience. After all, so many of us live such fast-paced lives that I always encourage my clients and readers to lean on nutritious foods that don’t require a ton of work to prepare. Granola bars are one great example. You can grab one to eat in the car while you drive to work or throw one in your daily carry bag to munch on if hunger strikes unexpectedly. However, granola bars can be a sneaky source of not-so-healthy things like added sugars and saturated fat. Eating too much saturated fat and added sugar—which most Americans do—can lead to health issues like heart disease and type 2 diabetes. 

That’s why I’m sharing my favorite healthy granola bar—Clif Nut Butter Bars. With these bars, you don’t have to sacrifice taste for nutrition. They’re stuffed with satisfying nut butter for a creamy treat full of heart-healthy fats, plant protein and fiber. Plus, they have far less added sugar and saturated fat than many other options out there. 

Why I Love Clif Nut Butter Bars

Great Taste

Whoever said that healthy food can’t taste good was wrong. And let’s be real—if something doesn’t taste good, you’re probably not going to want to eat it anyway. One of the main reasons I love these Clif Nut Butter Bars is that they taste so good! They have a similar texture to classic Clif bars, but they’re smaller and they have a creamy nut butter filling. This makes them feel decadent and satisfying in a whole new way. You might even want one after dinner for dessert!

Good Source of Plant Protein

Whether you’re reaching for a granola bar for a snack or a quick breakfast, protein is key. It helps you feel full so you’re held over until your next meal or snack. It also helps prevent blood sugar spikes so you can feel a steady rise in energy rather than a big burst and then a dramatic crash. I love that this Clif Nut Butter Bar has 7 grams of protein per serving. It’s all plant-based protein from peanuts and pea protein, making it vegetarian-friendly. Paired with a cup of milk (which has 8 grams of protein), it makes for an excellent high-protein post-workout snack to support muscle growth and recovery. 

Contain Heart-Healthy Fats

As I mentioned above, many granola bars are high in saturated fat—the kind that’s bad for heart health. Compared to other options, Clif Nut Butter Bars are pretty low in saturated fat, with 2.5 grams per bar. For reference, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend eating no more than 22 grams of saturated fat per day if you follow a 2,000-calorie diet.

What makes these bars especially great, though, is that they’re a good source of heart-healthy unsaturated fats. That’s because they use real peanut butter and peanuts, which are rich in monounsaturated fat. This type of fat can help lower cholesterol levels to lower your risk of heart disease and stroke. Just like protein, it also helps slow digestion to prevent blood sugar spikes, making this a blood sugar–friendly snack.

Have a Few Grams of Fiber

Another key nutrient I look for in granola bars is fiber. Many Americans don’t eat nearly enough of this important carb, and little adjustments can go a long way (like finding a higher-fiber granola bar!). Each Clif Nut Butter Bar has 3 grams of fiber—about 11% of the Daily Value.  There are other bars out there with even more fiber, but they tend to be higher in saturated fat and/or added sugars. I really like the overall nutritional balance of these bars. If you’re looking to add more fiber, pair the bar with a banana or a couple of Medjool dates.

Relatively Low in Added Sugars

Compared to other granola bars, Clif Nut Butter Bars are pretty low in added sugars. Each bar has 6 grams. For reference, the Dietary Guidelines recommend eating no more than 50 grams of added sugars per day if you follow a 2,000-calorie diet. Other granola bars can have upward of 12 grams of added sugars. They may also use stevia or artificial sweeteners, which I personally don’t love the taste of. So I love that these bars have a delicious flavor without too many added sugars.  

The Bottom Line

When you need a granola bar to grab and go, I recommend Clif Nut Butter Bars. Compared to other granola bars, they have a good balance of fiber, healthy fat and protein, with minimal added sugars and saturated fat. Plus, they’re super tasty! I love having one of these bars as a part of a quick breakfast or an afternoon snack. They’re also great to pair with a glass of milk for a high-protein, post-workout snack.