Are Quest Protein Bars Healthy? (Best Tips!)

Protein bars have become a staple in the kitchen pantry for many who lead busy and active lives, with many using protein bars as a substitute for real food throughout the day.

Most understand that protein is good for muscle recovery and repair, and protein bars also provide calories, but many protein bars also contain as much sugar as candy bars.

So, are Quest Protein Bars healthy? Quest Protein bars are high in protein sourced from dairy products and also contain other artificial ingredients and sweeteners such as sucralose that causes inflammation and can cause issues with digestion, and can even lead to diabetes. Studies have also found that artificial sweeteners may also lead to cancers.

While for many, Quest protein bars are a great snack while you’re on the go or looking to refuel after a workout, they should never replace real foods provided through a healthy and balanced diet.

Eating Quest protein bars occasionally should not cause any major health issues, however, the ingredients in many of the protein bars are heavily processed and not considered ‘clean food’.

Table of Contents

Are Quest Protein Bars Healthy?

Quest protein bars have gained a steady following for many years and now boast over 20 flavors to satisfy customers.

With flavors like ‘Birthday Cake’, ‘Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough’, and ‘Chocolate Sprinkled Donut’ one really does wonder how healthy Quest protein bars are?

Quest protein bars are marketed as being high in protein and fiber, and low in sugar and carbohydrates, with bars containing over 20 grams of protein per bar.

Protein ingredients such as “milk protein isolate” and “whey protein isolate” found in Quest protein bars are made using dairy products and contain lactose, and can often cause inflammation which can be difficult for digestion.

Click the link to Amazon and get Quest Protein Bars Today!

Do Quest Protein Bars Contain Sugar?

Yes, quest bars contain very small amounts of sugar.

Despite enticing and sugary sweet flavors such as ‘Chocolate Brownie’, ‘Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough’, and ‘S’mores’, a quick review of the ingredients shows that they contain only 1 gram of sugar per bar.

So, how do they pack the same flavor of our favorite sugary sweet treats with virtually no sugar?

Artificial Sweeteners

This is because these bars use artificial sweeteners such as sucralose and stevia sweeteners.

While consuming small amounts of stevia has no adverse side effects and boasts many health benefits, the same cannot be said for sucralose.

Sucralose is an artificial sweetener chemically formulated to taste 600 times sweeter than sugar but be warned, the good news stops there.

Studies of sucralose have found that it causes inflammation and over time this inflammation can lead to diabetes and digestive diseases.

Another concerning fact regarding sucralose is how our body processes it. Sucralose is made to be almost calorie-free and passes through our bodies much faster than sugar.

One downside is the body cannot extract energy from it in the same way it does with sugar.

The process to do this removes the sugar molecule called hydroxyl and is swapped for chlorine.

Are Quest Protein Bars High in Fat?

The diet conscious will often be lured to products that are advertised as ‘low-carb’. However, delve into the label a little further and you’ll find that Quest protein bars are high in saturated fats.

Saturated Fats

Quest protein bars’ fat content is almost half derived from saturated fats, which as anyone considerate of a healthy diet will know, is bad news.

Saturated fats are found in ingredients such as tropical oils, and animal products like milk, cheese, and meat.

A quick scan of many of the Quest protein bars shows they contain palm kernel oil, palm oil, sunflower lecithin, milk protein, and butter.

The problems with saturated fats are numerous and well studied, with many studies pointing to this form of fat being linked with an increased risk of heart disease and other chronic illnesses.

Even moderate amounts can negatively affect your health.

Looking at the nutritional facts of one of the most popular and indulgent flavors, the ‘Dipped Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough’ displays the total fat count as 9 grams of fat per 50-gram bar.

Look further and the fats are broken down into ‘Trans Fats’ and ‘Saturated Fats’. With this particular flavor, you’re receiving 5 grams of saturated fats, which equates to a quarter (25%) of your daily intake.

Summary

While you may now resist reaching for a Quest protein bar the next time, you’re desperate for a snack, this is not to say that they should be banned from your diet entirely.

Protein bars in general are not intended to replace real food, and should always be consumed alongside a healthy and balanced diet.

Quest protein bars with their many tempting flavors should be considered a treat, much in the same way you would think of a candy bar, and consumed infrequently.

If you’re really desperate for ‘chocolate chip cookie dough’, then maybe it’s healthier to just eat the real thing!

Here are some of my favorite services, products, and Stores

There are affiliate links, so if you do decide to use any of them, I´ll earn a small commission. But in all honesty, these are the exact what I use and recommend to everyone, even my own family.

To see all my of most up-to-date recommendations, check out this resource that I made for you!

BEST Of The Best

My Recommendations

+ Products & Services

+ Convenience Stores

+ Save Thousands of Dollars