Buying guide: choosing protein powder and protein bars step by step

Before you even pick up a package, it is worth asking what you want to use the product for. Do you want to supplement a meal when you have little time on the go? Do you want to raise your overall daily protein intake, for example as part of strength training? Or are you looking for a practical snack in between that keeps you full without much planning?

Your goal determines whether a powder or a bar suits you better, and it also influences how closely you should look at individual criteria such as taste or composition. A powder works well if you have access to water or milk at home or at work, whereas a bar is practical when you are out and about and do not want any preparation. Some people use both side by side, for example a powder for everyday life at home and a bar as a reserve for the bag or the car, so that a high-protein option is to hand even on an unexpectedly long day. You will find more background on the different protein types in our overview of protein types, and if you do not yet know your approximate requirement, it is worth first looking at the article on protein requirement.

On the packaging you will usually find a nutrition table that states the protein content per 100 grams. For powders this value is often between about 60 and 90 grams per 100 grams, depending on the protein source and recipe, and for multi-component products with additions such as flavourings or fibre it can be somewhat lower.

For bars the protein content is naturally lower, as they also contain carbohydrates, fats and binders. Here it is worth looking at the amount per bar rather than only per 100 grams, since bar size varies greatly. A high protein content alone says nothing about taste, tolerance or the rest of the composition, so this value is only one of several building blocks in your choice. Rather than looking at a single figure in isolation, it makes more sense to consider the protein content together with the carbohydrate and fat content, which gives you a fuller picture of how a product fits into the rest of your diet.

If you react sensitively to lactose, it is worth looking at the lactose content. Whey concentrate usually still contains significant amounts of lactose, whereas whey isolate usually contains considerably less thanks to stronger filtration, and explicitly lactose-free products are labelled accordingly. More on this in the article lactose-free.

If you follow a vegan diet, look for clear labelling as vegan, since some products that appear plant-based can still contain animal additives such as honey or whey powder. Casein and whey come from milk and are therefore not vegan, whereas soy, pea, rice and hemp protein are plant-based and well suited to a vegan diet. Seals or explicit notes on the packaging can also give you additional orientation here, but they do not replace your own look at the ingredients list.

Larger packs are often cheaper per serving, but they are only worthwhile if you use the product regularly and always like the taste. Once opened, powder generally keeps for several months if stored dry, cool and tightly closed, whereas opened bars or those with a soft consistency should be used up more quickly.

Pay attention to the best-before date and the storage instructions on the packaging. A tightly closing container or the original sealed tub helps keep out moisture, which can otherwise cause the powder to clump. If you have several products open at the same time, it is worth labelling them clearly with the opening date, so that even with several opened packs you keep track of which one should be used up first.

Before you decide on a specific product, you can go through these points once more:

• Goal for use clarified: shake, snack or meal replacement
• Protein source suits your diet and tolerance
• Protein content per 100 grams or per bar checked
• Ingredients list and sweeteners read through
• Lactose and vegan suitability clarified, if relevant
• Taste tested in a small quantity if possible
• Pack size and shelf life chosen to match your own consumption

Is a protein bar equivalent to a protein shake

Both can provide protein, but they differ in composition and practicality. A bar usually also contains more carbohydrates and fat and often provides less protein per serving than a typical shake, but it can be used on the go without any preparation.

How do I recognise artificial sweeteners in the ingredients list

Sweeteners are named in the ingredients list, often as sugar alcohols such as erythritol or xylitol, as steviol glycosides from stevia, or as synthetic sweeteners. A look at the full ingredients list shows more reliably what is included than a claim on the front of the packaging.

How long does opened protein powder keep

That depends on the product and how it is stored; in general, powder stored dry, cool and tightly closed is often considered suitable for several months. The information on the packaging is always what counts.

Is every protein powder suitable for baking

Not every powder behaves the same way when baking, as binding behaviour and taste differ depending on the protein source and recipe. You will find more specific tips on baking and cooking with protein powder in our article on preparation. A detailed buying guide also helps you find a product that suits your preferred use.