6 PCOS-Friendly Protein Bars

One of the key components to getting our PCOS under control is small lifestyle changes, including our diet. A balanced, gluten- and dairy-free anti-inflammatory diet can get right to the root causes of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and help Cysters finally get relief from their symptoms! Unlike diets that cut calories, a sustainable PCOS diet isn’t overly complicated and gives us the opportunity to prioritize whole foods and getting plenty of nutrients like protein! 

You’ve probably been told at some point to eat plenty of protein, which is one of the keys to a balanced diet. The right amount of protein can make all the difference in supporting your goals of naturally managing your PCOS and reversing your symptoms! 

6 PCOS-Friendly Protein Bars 

Yes, protein is VERY important to a PCOS diet. However, sometimes it’s difficult to get all the protein you need from traditional sources (especially if you’re vegan/vegetarian or don’t care much for meat). That’s where supplemental protein sources like protein bars can really come in handy! However, it is important to remember that not all protein bars are equal and can be filled with added ingredients that might do more harm for your PCOS than natural protein sources. While having a few here and there can be okay, just remember not to make these your main source of protein.

So, today I’m going to walk you through the benefits of a protein-rich diet for PCOS and give you a list of protein bars to try out. They’re a great option for snack replacement or meal boosts to help you reach all your protein goals! 

Here’s what you need to know:

Is A High Protein Diet Good For PCOS?

Absolutely! Many women with PCOS struggle with insulin resistance, which triggers difficult symptoms of PCOS like weight gain, difficulty losing weight, intense cravings, and fatigue. Plus, high insulin levels can also lead to a cycle of inflammation and hormonal imbalances that trigger even more difficult but common symptoms. 

That means that managing insulin resistance is one of the most important parts of naturally reaching your health goals with PCOS! Eating plenty of protein can help you do just that. Protein helps regulate blood sugar levels, increase satiety, boost your metabolism, support muscle mass, and even improve hormone regulation. 

This is because protein is digested slowly, allowing carbs to be absorbed more gradually into the body to prevent insulin spikes and promote the feeling of fullness. Plus, our bodies burn more calories when they digest protein. 

For a successful PCOS-friendly diet, sufficient amounts of protein in our meals and snacks are ESSENTIAL! Luckily you can find lots of high-protein, PCOS-friendly meals on The Cysterhood app. Want to know some of my faves? Ferrero Rocher Protein Smoothie, Blackberry Coconut Chia Pudding, Beef Taco Soup, BBQ Chicken Thighs . . . I could go on. But, you can find all these and more on the app! 

How Much Protein Does A Woman With PCOS Need?

You should aim for 2.65 – 3.53 grams of protein per pound of body weight per day. Another good rule of thumb is 25 – 30 grams of protein per meal. (And, make sure breakfast is closer to 30!) Combined with a whole-grain carb source, healthy fats, and vegetables, your PCOS-friendly meal can help alleviate your symptoms and set you up for success! 

Are Protein Bars Good For PCOS?

Protein bars can be a good snack or meal addition for a woman with PCOS! The only concern is that protein bars have low nutrient variety, so they shouldn’t be a meal replacement. You need all those vitamins and minerals from a balanced and varied diet! If you eat a great meal but are still a little shy of that 30 grams of protein per meal goal, you could add a protein bar to get you the rest of the way. 

I also recommend that women with PCOS have a properly paired snack in the morning or the afternoon (or both) between meals to maintain blood sugar levels. This means pairing a protein with a carb or healthy fat. A quick snack that can help you reach your goals and satiate your cravings can be a protein bar! There are lots of tasty options out there that’ll definitely feel like a treat. 

But, will any protein bars do? No. Truthfully, there’s a lot of junk out there. Many protein bars have high sugar content, artificial ingredients, and high caloric density. An excessive amount of this can be detrimental to reaching our PCOS goals! Plus, I’m sure you’ve experienced that some protein bars just don’t taste good. Below, I’ll give you some recommendations of high-quality protein bars that fit a PCOS diet and taste great. 

Here are my top picks:

What Are The Best Protein Bars For PCOS?

GoRaw Organic Sprouted Pumpkin Seed Bars

As I said, lots of protein bars can be full of junk, but that’s not the case with these GoRaw protein bars! Each bar only has 5 ingredients, and none of those are artificial sweeteners or additives. Instead, they include sprouted pumpkin seeds, sprouted flaxseeds, dates, raw agave nectar, and sea salt. That’s it! 

They’re also nut-free, gluten-free, soy-free, non-GMO, organic, vegan-friendly, and low sugar. So, you know they don’t have anything in particular that may trigger your symptoms! The only downside to this option is that it only has 11 grams of protein per bar, which is less than some others on this list. However, it’s a good supplemental protein source as a snack or meal boost! 

You’ll also love these GoRaw bars if you’re more of a salty snack kind of person over a sweet treat gal. 

Misfits Vegan Protein Bar

I personally think these are some of the better tasting protein bars out there! From Peanut Butter Jelly and Caramel Fudge to Cookie Dough and Brownie Batter, you’re sure to find something you’ll like! Plus, these bars use xylitol as a sweetener, which I sometimes use for baking. P.S. just remember keep any xylitol products away from your pets!

These bars include 15 grams of protein and up to 12 grams of fiber. They’re also low sugar, gluten-free, low carb, dairy-free and non-GMO. All the ingredients are 100% natural and the company uses sustainable practices.

Orgain Organic Vegan Protein Bars

The other two protein bars that I’ve mentioned are on the higher prices range, but this is a more affordable option that’s still pretty high-quality! They taste great, are all-organic, and include all non-GMO, gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, and vegan ingredients like pea protein, brown rice protein, and chia seeds. This option is also low sugar, so you won’t be spiking your blood sugar levels!

Though this option is low on sugar, it does have a higher calorie count than some other options, so just ensure you keep track of that. They also only include around 10 grams of protein, which is lower than some others on the list. However, they’re still a great supplemental protein source if you have a balanced diet! 

BHU Foods Organic Low Carb Protein Bars

Now, here’s a high-protein option! These low-carb, organic protein bars are packed with up to 20 grams of protein. They’re gluten- and dairy-free and don’t include any artificial ingredients. Although I don’t recommend focusing on tracking your calories or staying within a strict range, you might be interested to know that these bars are typically around 200 calories.

What else is there to love about BHU protein bars? They’re the texture of cookie dough and come in a ton of delicious flavors like chocolate chip, caramel peanut, peanut butter chocolate chip, white chocolate macadamia nut, and more! These will definitely feel like a treat after a good meal or for an afternoon snack. 

1st Phorm Vegan Power Pro Bar

These protein bars are special because they’re made specifically for people who don’t eat dairy and/or are on a vegan diet. Unlike other protein bars on this list, these from 1st Phorm actually include a blend of essential vitamins to give the bars more nutrient variety! If all that wasn’t enough, these are organic, gluten-free, and low-sugar. 

Each bar is 15 grams of protein! The texture can take some getting used to, but between the apple cinnamon, double chocolate, and chocolate mint cookie flavors, you’ll definitely find something you enjoy. (And, if you don’t, they have a 30-day money back guarantee.) 

Aloha Protein Bars 

For this last one, we have another brand that includes both fiber and protein! There are 13 grams of fiber and 14 grams of protein in each of these protein bars! Each of the flavors is organic, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, and stevia-free. They’re sweetened with dates and raw agave nectar, making them low-sugar but still great tasting. 

If you tend to be picky about flavors or just like variety, you won’t be disappointed in this brand. There are 17 flavors! They have the standard flavors like chocolate chip cookie dough and peanut butter cup, but there are unique options too like maple sea salt, banana bread chocolate chip, blueberry, and lemon cashew! Just order some variety packs and find your faves! 

Protein bars are a great way to supplement your protein intake at meal time or snack time! 

Protein is an essential part of your PCOS diet. To help you reach that goal of 30 grams of protein per meal, you may need a little help! You can use protein bars or protein powders to get your appropriate intake. (If you want PCOS powder recommendations, here’s the best protein for women and weight loss!) 

Download The Cysterhood app for more protein-filled recipes! Because we have PCOS, we still may be short on other essential nutrients too! To give yourself another boost as you work towards improving your nutrient deficiencies, check out my Ovafit supplement line. Each high-quality supplement is formulated specifically to support a healthy PCOS body. Supplements, protein, and a balanced diet are great first steps to help you find a life symptom-free with PCOS!