Top 5 Bars Comparable To Optavia Bars

Do you wanna know what bars can you substitute for Optavia bars?

I tested over 20 different bars that are comparable to Optavia from 14 different brands, and to be frank, it wasn’t a picnic.

Many brands boast high protein content but also contain many calories and high sugar levels, making them hardly better than candy bars.

After reading dozens of labels, researching ingredients, carefully testing, tasting, and comparing prices, I am finally ready to write a completely unbiased review of my top 5 bars.

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A quick look at the best Optavia bar alternatives

How I choose

According to the article published in the Nutrition in Clinical Practice Journal, “There are a lot of dietary supplement products that say they will make you healthier, help you manage conditions, and reduce your risk of diseases.”¹

“Most people don’t know that these products don’t have to be reviewed or approved by scientists before they are sold,” states the journal.

To help you decide which bars are suitable for Optavia fueling replacements, I considered the following factors.

1. Macronutrient content

Although the price and taste were both important factors to consider, the nutrition status and label were my top priority.

I’ve looked for bars with at least 6 grams of protein, 2 grams of fiber, and no more than 6 grams of added sugar per bar.

Optavia bars have around 110 calories, so I’ve included alternatives that have no more than 160 calories per serving.

2. Different types of protein powder

I’ve included protein bars that have a variety of aminal-based protein sources like whey, egg white protein, casein, collagen, and beef protein isolate. 

I’ve also included bars that have plant-based proteins like soy, pea, oat, brown rice, hemp, and pumpkin seed protein.

3. Ingredients

Online, I found multiple complaints about Optavia food being highly processed. I wanted to ensure that this Optavia substitute list is minimally processed.

As much as possible, I’ve tried to prioritize and keep my eyes peeled for any artificial flavorings, sweeteners, and preservatives.

4. Price

I was motivated to find cheaper Optavia bar alternatives becasue the whole thing just become too expensive.

I could not afford to pay $400 per month. (Not anymore.)

My goal was to only include protein bars that are cheaper than Optavia, without compromising on their nutritional value.

Substitutes for Optavia bars

Drafting up a list of bars that are similar to Optavia bars certainly wasn’t easy.

Here are my top picks.

1. Built Salted Caramel

• Price: $2.49 per bar

• Taste: Nice balance of savoriness and sweetness

• Texture: Mildly soft and chewy, making them a great snack or meal replacement option

If one of my closest friends asked me for comparable bars to Optavia bars, my top recommendation would be Built bars.

Built bars keep me fuller for hours, whereas after eating Optavia bars I felt I was still hungry.

Keep in mind that calories will vary depending on the flavor your choose.

Here’s a photo of two Built bars that I bought the other day – Coconut Almond on top and Salted Caramel on the bottom.

The one on the top has 180 calories per serving, whereas the one on the bottom has 130 calories.

Sure, 130 calories are around 20 more than what you find in Optavia bars, but they also have 17 grams of proteins per serving.

Unlike Optavia bars, Built bars are derived from whey protein isolate, not from soy protein isolate.

Nutrition stats for Built protein bars (2):

• Calories: 130
• Total fat: 2.5 grams
• Total carbs: 18 grams
• Fiber: 6 grams
• Added Sugar: 4 grams
• Proteins: 17 grams

Other available flavors: Cherry Barcia, Raspberry, Cookies and Cream, Coconut, Mint Brownie, Chocolate, and Peanut Butter

2. No Cow Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip

• Price: $2.24 per bar

• Taste: Unexpectedly sweet with a hint of earthy aftertaste

• Texture: Partially soft texture due to the pieces of crunchy crackers, but overall a little bit dry

Here’s the photo of my two favorites No Cow bar flavors – raspberry truffle and lemon meringue pie.

Both of these bars are packed with pea and rice proteins, without any soy or dairy.

So it’s great if you’re enjoying the plant-based lifestyle, or you have some stomach issues from eating whey or soy.

However, if you’re following the Optimal 5&1 plan, I don’t recommend eating the whole No Cow protein bar at once.

Instead, break the bar in the middle and eat half of the portion size. (Yes, half of the bar still checks all the boxes.)

Half of the No Cow bar has 95 calories, 10 grams of proteins, and no added sugars – equivalent to one Optavia bar, yet seventy percent cheaper.

Nutrition stats for No Cow protein bars (3):

• Calories: 190
• Total fat: 5 grams
• Total carbs: 26 grams
• Fiber: 16 grams
• Added Sugar: 0 grams
• Proteins: 20 grams

Other available flavors: Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, Chunky Peanut Butter, Cookies and Cream, Coconut, Birthday Cake, Blueberry Cobbler, and Chocolate Fudge Brownie

3. Kellogg’s Special K Brownie Sundae

• Price: $0.85 per bar

• Taste: A rich chocolate flavor with a slightly artificial aftertaste

• Texture: Crunchy and dry, similar to Optavia Chocolate Mint Cookie Crisp Bar

I’m not a huge fan of Kellogg’s Special K bars becasue of the number of action lawsuits that were filed against this company, mainly due to misleading advertisements.⁴

Apart from the complaints, their granola bars are also loaded with sugar and have very few proteins.

However, Kellogg’s has recently released new protein snack bars that have 90 calories and 6 grams of protein.⁵

Here’s the photo.

Similarly to Optavia bars, new Kellogg’s Special K protein snack bars are derived mainly from soy protein isolate.

When it comes to price, the five-count package retail at $4.29 (around $0.85 per serving) making them the most affordable bars that are comparable to Optavia.

Nutrition stats for Kellogg’s Special K protein snack bars (3):

• Calories: 90
• Total fat: 2.5 grams
• Total carbs: 13 grams
• Fiber: 2 grams
• Added Sugar: 6 grams
• Proteins: 6 grams

Other available flavors: Berry Vanilla

4. NuGo Smarte Carb Peanut Butter Crunch

• Price: $1.74 per bar

• Taste: The sweetness feels artificial but without an unpleasant aftertaste

• Texture: Incredibly chewy and satisfying

I’ve tried many NuGo protein bars, mainly due to their zero-sugar content.

Here’s the photo of my favorite – Peanut Butter Crunch.

This one has 20 grams of proteins and 5 grams of dietary fiber per serving, which is great if you’re practicing the Optavia keto lifestyle.

What I don’t like is that all of these bars are made of soy protein isolate, and have 160 calories per serving.

I wouldn’t rely completely on these bars as Optavia alternatives becasue consuming artificial sweeteners (maltitol) in high quantities may contribute to digestive problems.

According to the article review published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, “Maltitol is a good alternative to using sucrose, but it can cause diarrhea and complications for unborn babies if someone takes too much of it.”⁶

Nutrition stats for NuGo Smarte Carb protein bars (7):

• Calories: 160
• Total fat: 5 grams
• Total carbs: 19 grams
• Fiber: 5 grams
• Added Sugar: 0 grams
• Proteins: 20 grams

Other available flavors: Peanut Butter Crunch and Chocolate Black Cherry

5. Aloha MINI Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough

• Price: $2.24 per bar

• Taste: Nice balance of peanuts and chocolate flavor

• Texture: Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough is the chewiest of all available flavors

Aloha MINI bars have everything you need from an organic plant-based protein bar – no gluten, dairy, soy, stevia, or sugar alcohol sweeteners.

No artificial ingredients and sweeteners mean fewer (or no) stomach issues.

Great for people who are looking for healthier Optavia bar alternatives.

Each serving has 110 calories and 6 grams of proteins derived from brown rice and pumpkin seeds.

My favorite flavor is the Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, which resembles me Optavia Drizzled Chocolate Fudge Crisp Bar.

My second best flavor is the Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip, which I often have before my workout together with small fruits like cherries and mandarine.

Nutrition stats for Aloha MINI protein bars (5):

• Calories: 110
• Total fat: 6 grams
• Total carbs: 10 grams
• Fiber: 2 grams
• Added Sugar: 1 gram
• Proteins: 6 grams

Other available flavors: Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, Peanut Butter Cup, Coconut Chocolate Almond, and Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip

Help! I didn’t find the bar I like

You haven’t found the best bar alternative you like?

No problem.

If the suggested list of protein bars didn’t fully satisfy your needs, consider looking for ways to make your own DIY Optavia fuelings from scratch.

Or.

Why not look for Optavia fueling substitutes that include not only bars, but also shakes, yogurts, crisps, and other high-protein snacks?

References

¹ ( Nutrition in Clinical Practice Journal) Turner RE, Degnan FH, Archer DL. Label claims for foods and supplements: a review of the regulations. Nutr Clin Pract. 2005;20(1):21-32. doi:10.1177/011542650502000121

² (Built bar website) https://built.com/collections/built_bars/products/saltedcaramel-18

³ (No Cow website) https://nocow.com/collections/protein-bars/products/peanut-butter-chocolate-chip-protein-bar

⁴ (Top Class Actions) https://topclassactions.com/lawsuit-settlements/lawsuit-news/kellogg-class-action-lawsuit-and-settlement-news/kelloggs-class-action-alleges-special-k-bars-do-not-contain-sufficient-cranberries-almonds-as-advertised/

⁵ (Kellogs News) https://newsroom.kelloggcompany.com/2022-06-23-KELLOGGS-R-SPECIAL-K-R-INTRODUCES-DELICIOUS-AND-CONVENIENT-NEW-PROTEIN-SNACK-BARS-FOR-FUELING-UP-ON-THE-GO

⁶ (International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health) Saraiva A, Carrascosa C, Raheem D, Ramos F, Raposo A. Maltitol: Analytical Determination Methods, Applications in the Food Industry, Metabolism and Health Impacts. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020;17(14):5227. Published 2020 Jul 20. doi:10.3390/ijerph17145227

⁷ NuGo website) https://www.nugonutrition.com/collections/smarte-carb/products/smarte-carb-peanut-butter-crunch