Chocolate Protein Bars | Easy Vegan No-Bake Recipe - Elavegan (2024)

FAQs

What are vegan protein bars made of? ›

Traditional protein bars often use whey protein from dairy, whereas vegan protein bars get their protein from plant sources, including peas, brown rice, beans, nuts, and seeds. These protein bars avoid other animal-derived products like egg and honey.

For example, in place of protein powder, you can use: whole or chopped nuts: peanuts, almonds, walnuts, cashews. nut or seed butter: peanut, almond, cashew, sunflower, tahini. seeds: hemp, flax, pumpkin, sunflower, chia.

Whether you're following a vegan diet or simply seeking a nutritious and satisfying snack, incorporating vegan protein bars into your routine can be a game-changer. They offer a convenient and portable option for those on-the-go, while providing a balanced combination of protein, fiber, and essential nutrients.

They're Filled with Sweeteners

Most low sugar or zero sugar protein bars contain artificial sweeteners such as maltitol or Xylitol. Artificial Sweeteners taste a lot of sugar, but not don't cause the excessive rise in blood sugar levels that sugars do.

Some plant-based foods, such as soybean products, seitan, beans, and lentils contain high amounts of protein. You can also find protein in nuts, whole grains like quinoa and amaranth, and hemp seeds. People following a vegan diet may need to plan in order to reach their daily protein goals.

Homemade protein bars are much more cost-effective than buying protein bars at the store. A single protein bar can range from $. 99 to $3.99. This entire recipe (for 16 bars) will cost you less than $5 and you likely already have these ingredients on hand!

A few other common ingredients are whole nuts and seeds, grains like oats and crispy cereal (which offer fiber and a granola bar–like texture), cocoa powder or chocolate chips, and liquid sweeteners like maple syrup or honey, which help your bars stick together and taste delicious.

Protein shakes: Protein shakes typically contain fewer carbohydrates and fats than protein bars, making them a more concentrated source of protein. A serving of protein powder usually provides 20 to 30 grams of protein with minimal carbohydrates and fats.

Little research has been conducted into any risks associated with high-protein vegan diets, although it is always important to ensure that there is variety and that attention is paid to vitamin and mineral requirements, especially in pregnancy.

Do vegans suffer from protein deficiency? ›

The study notes that there's no evidence that lower protein content in vegan diets causes adverse health effects, provided that there's a variety of food sources. Insufficiencies in protein intake may occur when vegan diets don't include protein-rich sources like legumes, seeds, and nuts.

While protein bars can be enjoyed regularly, consuming them as meal replacements or as your primary protein source isn't recommended. Pay close attention to nutrition labels, as many protein bars contain added sugars, saturated fats and other low-nutrient ingredients.

While meat is a “complete” protein because it contains all the essentials, Dr. Hunnes says that eating a variety of plant proteins provides the same result in a healthier package. “By eating a wide complement of plant-based protein, you'll get every essential amino acid that your body needs,” she says.

The protein sources for bars can come from either plant or animal origins and vary depending on the manufacturer. Popular sources include wheat, rice, soy, pea, and whey. However, some more novel sources of protein include algae, pumpkin, sunflower, and hemp.

A vegan diet means no meat, no eggs and no dairy — so no whey. But there are a ton of options for those who want a plant-based protein, including pea, rice, soy, and hemp.

Plant-based protein powders are derived from various types of plants — commonly brown rice, pea, soy, and hemp. Depending on the brand, a powder may be made from one type of plant or a combination of plants ( 3 ).