Have you tried meat protein bars? They are a quick and easy snack or meal replacement when you're busy, traveling, or on the go.
And they offer an alternative to your usual protein bar, which may be too sweet for some guys' tastes.
But, like other protein bars, you need to know what's in them before you add them to your eating plan.
Knowing which meat protein bars are the healthiest is a must if you eat these nutritious bars on a regular basis.
Meat protein bars are, as the name implies, protein-rich bars containing meat, poultry, fish, or even eggs as ingredients.
Some meat protein bars are healthy, offering a rich source of protein and other essential nutrients, while others aren't so great for you because of artificial flavors, added sugars, or other additives.
Here's what you need to know about meat protein bars!
Are the best protein shakes homemade or premade? Find out the truth!
As a busy guy, it’s challenging to stay consistent with healthy eating. That’s why we created SuperFuel… the delicious “all-in-one” nutrition shake for busy guys 40+ to give your body the protein + key nutrients you need for more energy, fat burning, and muscle building.Meet SuperFuel. The Delicious Protein Shake Packed With 40+ Energy-Boosting Vitamins & Superfoods (Designed For Busy Men)
Meat Protein Bar Ingredients to Look For
Healthy, whole-food ingredients you might see in protein meat bars include:
Meat, Poultry, Fish, and Eggs
- Beef
- Venison
- Bison
- Pork
- Chicken
- Turkey
- Duck
- Salmon
- Eggs
Nuts and Seeds
- Cashews
- Almonds
- Peanuts
- Sunflower seeds
- Chia seeds
- Sesame seeds
- Pumpkin seeds
Fruits
- Dates
- Raisins
- Berries
- Cherries
- Oranges
- Apples
- Raisins
- Other dried fruits
- 100% juice
Vegetables
- Mushrooms
- Celery
- Chickpeas
- Lentils
- Other vegetables
- Vegetable juice
Fats
- Canola oil
- Sunflower oil
- Sesame oil
- Coconut oil
- Other plant-based oils
Grains
- Oats
- Whole-grain cereals
- Quinoa
- Brown rice
- Other whole grains
Flavorings
- Sea salt
- Pepper
- Mustard
- Garlic
- Vinegar
- Herbs
- Spices
- Other seasonings
- Natural flavors
Many healthy protein meat bars contain a variety of whole-food ingredients and essential micronutrients (vitamins and minerals).
Meat Protein Bar Ingredients to Avoid
Limit or avoid the following meat protein bar ingredients when possible, as they aren't so great for your health:
- Sugar
- Brown sugar
- Syrups
- High-fructose corn syrup
- Saccharin
- Aspartame
- Sucralose
- Acesulfame potassium
- Neotame
- Advantame
- Sodium benzoate
- Potassium benzoate
- Sodium nitrates
- Sodium nitrites
- MSG
- BHT
- Sulfites
- Artificial flavors
- Artificial colors
Meat protein bars containing very few (or better yet no) artificial ingredients or other additives are best.
Some meat protein bars are very high in sodium, which can be a problem if you have high blood pressure or heart disease.
The American Heart Association recommends limiting sodium to 1,500-2,300 milligrams daily for most adults.
Your doctor might give you a specific number based on your health and disease risk factors.
Be aware of the sodium content on nutrition facts labels on your favorite meat proteins bars, especially if you struggle with high blood pressure or heart disease.
Meet Heart RX. The Blood Pressure, Cholesterol, and Healthy Circulation Support
For Guys 40+
Which Meat Protein Bars Are Best?
Consider choosing some of the following healthier versions of meat protein bars for yourself and your family!
Epic Protein Bars
Epic protein bars are loaded with complete proteins, and they contain whole-food ingredients without fillers, added sugars, artificial flavors, or other artificial ingredients.
Turkey Almond Cranberry Epic Bars
Turkey almond cranberry Epic bars are flavorful, healthy, protein-rich, and contain the following nutrition facts:
- Calories: 140
- Fat: 8 grams
- Sodium: 210 milligrams
- Carbohydrates: 9 grams
- Fiber: 2 grams
- Total sugar: 5 grams
- Protein: 10 grams
Ingredients: turkey, almonds, cranberries, lactic acid, sea salt, cultured celery powder, nutmeg, coriander, cumin, dried garlic, paprika, red pepper, and dried onion.
Chicken, Egg, and Apple Epic Bars
Chicken, egg, and apple Epic bars are loaded with protein and other essential nutrients.
They are slightly higher in sodium than some of the other Epic options, so if you're limiting sodium because of high blood pressure or heart disease, be mindful of this.
Chicken, egg, and apple Epic bars offer the following nutrition facts:
- Calories: 140
- Fat: 7 grams
- Sodium: 420 milligrams
- Carbohydrates: 5 grams
- Fiber: 2 grams
- Total sugar: 2 grams
- Protein: 13 grams
Ingredients: chicken, organic dried egg yolk, dried apples, lactic acid, sea salt, onion powder, garlic powder, cultured celery powder, chili powder, nutmeg, thyme, coriander seeds, black pepper, and sage.
Beef Habanero Cherry Walnut Epic Bars
Flavorful, beef habanero cherry walnut Epic bars are loaded with whole-food ingredients and taste delicious.
They make the perfect on-the-go or post-workout snack!
The nutrition facts of beef habanero cherry walnut bars include:
- Calories: 150
- Fat: 8 grams
- Sodium: 350 milligrams
- Carbohydrates: 9 grams
- Fiber: 2 grams
- Total sugar: 4 grams
- Protein: 9 grams
Ingredients: grass-fed beef, dried cherries, walnuts, water, lactic acid, salt, cultured celery powder, black pepper, sea salt, and habanero peppers.
Beef Apple Bacon Epic Bars
Epic beef apple bacon bars are packed with protein and nutritious (uncured) ingredients.
The nutrition facts information for these savors bars include:
- Calories: 170
- Fat: 13 grams
- Sodium: 450 milligrams
- Carbohydrates: 5 grams
- Fiber: 2 grams
- Total sugar: 4 grams
- Protein: 9 grams
Ingredients: grass-fed beef, uncured smoked bacon, dried apples, lactic acid, cultured celery powder, and sea salt.
Be mindful of the sodium content of beef apple bacon Epic bars, especially if you must limit your intake because of heart disease risk factors.
Tanka Bars
Like Epic bars, Tanka bars also contain whole, protein-rich ingredients.
They are free from gluten, hormones, nitrates, MSG, and lactose, and most Tanka bars contain buffalo as the main ingredient.
Tanka Slow Smoked Bars
Tanka slow-smoked bars are as flavorful as can be, and offer the following nutrition facts:
- Calories: 70
- Fat: 2 grams
- Sodium: 260 milligrams
- Carbohydrates: 7 grams
- Fiber: 1 gram
- Total sugar: 6 grams
- Protein: 7 grams
Ingredients: buffalo, dried cranberries, water, salt, red pepper, granulated garlic, granulated onion, and lactic acid.
Tanka Spicy Pepper Bars
Tanka spicy pepper bars are savory, spicy, and loaded with protein and micronutrients.
According to the nutrition facts label, these bars offer the following nutritional benefits:
- Calories: 70
- Fat: 2 grams
- Sodium: 260 milligrams
- Carbohydrates: 7 grams
- Fiber: 1 gram
- Total sugar: 6 grams
- Protein: 7 grams
Ingredients: buffalo, dried cranberries, sea salt, black pepper, habanero, jalapeno, spice, red pepper, onion, garlic, and lactic acid.
After age 30, your Testosterone levels start declining. Add in some stress and a “less than perfect” diet… everything gets worse fast. You feel tired all the time. It’s hard to lose fat. It feels like you lost your edge. That’s the sad story that happens to most guys 40+. But now, it doesn’t have to be that way for you….The Natural Testosterone Booster Guys 40+ Are Using For More Energy, Drive, & Results
Zero-Sugar Krave Jerky
Zero-sugar Krave products are more like all-natural jerky than protein meat bars, but they contain the same basic protein-rich ingredients.
Krave Barbeque-Seasoned Bites
Krave barbeque-flavored bites curb your hunger and salt cravings, and provide the following nutrition facts:
- Calories: 70
- Fat: 1.5 grams
- Sodium: 500 milligrams
- Carbohydrates: 1 gram
- Fiber: 0 gram
- Total sugar: 0 grams
- Protein: 12 grams
Ingredients: grass-fed beef, gluten-free soy sauce, water, red wine concentrate, balsamic vinegar, lemon juice, vinegar, black pepper, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, natural flavor, and yeast extract.
If you struggle to limit your sodium intake, you might want to choose lower-sodium protein meat bars.
Krave Southwest Hatch Chili Bites
These Southwest hatch chili Krave Bites are flavorful, nutritious, and delicious!
The nutrition facts information includes:
- Calories: 70
- Fat: 1.5 grams
- Sodium: 500 milligrams
- Carbohydrates: 1 gram
- Fiber: 0 gram
- Total sugar: 0 grams
- Protein: 12 grams
Ingredients: grass-fed beef, gluten-free soy sauce, water, balsamic vinegar, chipotle paste, lemon juice, vinegar, red and green hatch chilis, spices, garlic powder, and onion powder.
Zero-Sugar Country Archer Jerky
Like zero-sugar Krave jerky, zero-sugar Country Archer jerky is packed with high-quality protein and flavorful ingredients, but it's free from artificial ingredients.
Zero-Sugar Classic Beef Jerky
Choosing Country Archer zero-sugar classic beef jerky is a quick, easy way to boost your protein intake without sugar, artificial sweeteners, or other additives.
The nutrition facts information is as follows:
- Calories: 70
- Fat: 1.5 grams
- Sodium: 260 milligrams
- Carbohydrates: 2 grams
- Fiber: 0 grams
- Total sugar: 0 grams
- Protein: 12 grams
Ingredients: grass-fed beef, water, mushrooms, sunflower oil, apple cider vinegar, organic chickpea miso, garlic, salt, onion, black pepper, liquid smoke, paprika, rosemary, coriander, and oregano.
Zero-Sugar Mustard Barbeque Jerky
Consider trying zesty mustard barbeque jerky instead of traditional meat protein bars to satisfy your hunger, build muscle, and burn fat.
The nutrition facts information for zero-sugar mustard barbeque jerky is as follows:
- Calories: 70
- Fat: 1.5 grams
- Sodium: 340 milligrams
- Carbohydrates: 2 grams
- Fiber: 0 grams
- Total sugar: 0 grams
- Protein: 12 grams
Ingredients: grass-fed beef, water, mustard, apple cider vinegar, mushrooms, sunflower oil, organic chickpea miso, onion, salt, garlic, liquid smoke, and cayenne pepper.
Zero-Sugar Spicy Sesame Garlic Jerky
Try this mouth-watering, zero-sugar spicy sesame garlic jerky snack that's sure to be a hit with you, your spouse, and your kids!
The nutrition facts information includes:
- Calories: 70
- Fat: 2.5 grams
- Sodium: 280 milligrams
- Carbohydrates: 2 grams
- Fiber: 0 grams
- Total sugar: 0 grams
- Protein: 11 grams
Ingredients: grass-fed beef, mushrooms, sesame oil, apple cider vinegar, ginger juice, lemon juice, onion, salt, organic chickpea miso, garlic, toasted sesame seeds, liquid smoke, and cayenne pepper.
The Immune Booster Guys 40+ Are Using To Kill Viruses & Feel Younger…
It’s a fact. After 40, you become more vulnerable to viruses, cancers, and even Alzheimer’s disease. Average guys just let this all happen. But now, with Immune Booster RX, you can take the power back.
RX Egg Bars
While not technically meat protein bars, many RX bars contain eggs as ingredients, which is an excellent option if you follow an octo-vegetarian or lacto-ovo-vegetarian meal plan.
Mixed Berry RX Bars
Mixed berry RX bars contain eggs, fruits, and nuts as ingredients.
The nutritional breakdown on the nutrition facts label is as follows:
- Calories: 210
- Fat: 7 grams
- Sodium: 140 milligrams
- Carbohydrates: 24 grams
- Fiber: 5 grams
- Total sugar: 15 grams
- Added sugar: 0 grams
- Protein: 12 grams
Ingredients: dates, egg whites, almonds, cashews, cranberries, strawberries, raspberries, and natural flavors.
Vanilla Almond RX Bars
Vanilla almond RX bars are flavorful, delicious, and loaded with protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
The nutrition breakdown is as follows:
- Calories: 210
- Fat: 8 grams
- Sodium: 210 milligrams
- Carbohydrates: 24 grams
- Fiber: 3 grams
- Total sugar: 18 grams
- Added sugar: 0 grams
- Protein: 12 grams
Ingredients: dates, egg whites, almonds, cashews, vanilla bean, natural flavors, and sea salt.
Peanut Butter RX Bars
If you love peanut butter, you'll enjoy peanut butter-flavored RX bars that provide the following nutritional benefits:
- Calories: 200
- Fat: 7 grams
- Sodium: 310 milligrams
- Carbohydrates: 25 grams
- Fiber: 5 grams
- Total sugar: 15 grams
- Added sugar: 0 grams
- Protein: 12 grams
Ingredients: dates, peanuts, egg whites, natural flavors, and sea salt.
Blueberry RX Bars
Try blueberry RX bars between meals or before or after workouts. Your kids will love them as a snack at school too!
The nutrition facts breakdown for blueberry RX bars is:
- Calories: 210
- Fat: 7 grams
- Sodium: 140 milligrams
- Carbohydrates: 24 grams
- Fiber: 4 grams
- Total sugar: 15 grams
- Added sugar: 0 grams
- Protein: 12 grams
Ingredients: dates, egg whites, almonds, cashews, blueberries, and natural flavors.
Click here to learn more about SuperFuel Vegan the delicious 100% Plant-Based Protein with 40+ powerful superfoods »Meet SuperFuel Vegan. The Super Delicious 100% Plant-Based Protein Shake Packed With 40+ Energy Boosting Vitamins & Superfoods
Meet SuperFuel Vegan.
The Super Delicious 100% Plant-Based Protein Shake Packed With 40+ Energy Boosting Vitamins & Superfoods
Erin Coleman is a registered and licensed dietitian with over 15 years of freelance writing experience. She graduated with her Bachelor of Science degree in nutritional science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and completed her dietetic internship at Viterbo University in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Prior to beginning her career in medical content writing, Erin worked as Health Educator for the University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Internal Medicine. Her published work appears on hundreds of health and fitness websites, and she’s currently working on publishing her first book! Erin is a wife, and a Mom to two beautiful children.Erin Coleman, B.S. Nutritional Science, R.D., L.D.
Writer, Fit Father Project
This proven "Fit Father Program" has helped 38,000 busy men 40+ lose weight, rebuild muscle, and finally keep the weight off. If you're frustrated with stubborn belly fat, failed diets, and time-consuming workouts, this is the answer you’ve been looking for…Here’s How Busy Fathers Over 40 Are Finally Burning Stubborn Belly Fat & Getting Healthy Without Restrictive Diets or Time-Consuming Workouts
GET STARTED TODAY ON FF30X
*Please know that weight loss results & health changes/improvements vary from individual to individual; you may not achieve similar results. Always consult with your doctor before making health decisions. This is not medical advice – simply very well-researched info on meat protein bars.