Quest bars have been a popular choice for protein bars for years due to their high protein, low sugar content, and variety of flavors. But you may be wondering: Are Quest bars healthy?
As a dietitian, I believe you should have all the facts so that you can make informed food choices. In this blog post, I’ll explain exactly what Quest bars are, take a deep dive into the ingredient list and the nutrition facts panel, and give my pros and cons for these popular protein bars.
Let’s get started!
This post may contain affiliate links.
What Are Quest Bars?
First introduced in 2010, Quest Bars have quickly become a protein bar choice because of their unique combination of high protein, indulgent flavors, and low carb and sugar content. Popular flavors include Cookies & Cream, Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, and Birthday Cake.
Quest Bar flavors are crafted to satisfy cravings while aligning with health goals.
One the years they’ve even expanded their line to include candy, Crispy Hero Bars, cookies, protein chips, muffins, crackers, protein powders, and shakes that you can find in most grocery stores.
Quest Nutrition
First, let’s take a closer look at the nutrition facts. We’ll be focusing on the classic Quest Protein Bars.
Nutrition information
Each Quest Bar typically contains around:
- Calories: 190
- Protein: 20-21g (mainly from whey protein isolate and milk protein isolate)
- Carbs: 23-25g, of which most are dietary fiber or sugar alcohols, keeping net carbs between 4-5g
- Fat: 6-8g, depending on the flavor
- Fiber: 12g
Protein Packed
With 20-21 grams of protein per bar, Quest Bars support muscle repair and recovery, making them ideal for post-workout snacking or maintaining satiety throughout the day.
Their Crispy Hero bars are a little bit lower protein with 16-18g per bar, but still a great option.
Their protein primarily comes from whey protein isolate, a high-quality, easily digestible source.
Sweeteners
The classic Quest Bars use sucralose, erythritol and stevia instead of refined sugar, appealing to those watching their sugar intake. If you prefer to avoid artificial sweeteners, this bar may not be the best choice because they do contain sucralose.
Their Crispy Hero bars are sweetened with a combination of allulose, erythritol and sucralose.
Micronutrients
Unlike some protein bars, Quest Bars aren’t enriched with significant amounts of vitamins and minerals. They’re mostly just a good source of protein and fiber.
Ingredients
While the ingredients do vary a bit based on the variety, the ingredients are pretty similar. The ingredient list for one of the most popular flavors – Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough – is as follows:
- Protein Blend (Milk Protein Isolate, Whey Protein Isolate)
- Polydextrose (prebiotic fiber)
- Almonds
- Water
- Unsweetened Chocolate
- Erythritol – a sugar alcohol sweetener
- Glycerin
- Cocoa Butter
- Natural Flavors
- Sea Salt
- Stevia – an artificial sweetener
- Lecithin
- Sucralose – an artificial sweetener
Other ingredients sometimes included in the bars include soluble corn fiber, sodium caseinate, xanthan gum, and other nuts. Their Crispy Hero bars are also sweetened with allulose.
Benefits of Quest Bars
First up – let’s chat about what I like about this protein bar option.
High Protein
Quest bars are a great option for anyone looking to eat more protein. With 20-21g per bar in their classic Quest bar options, the protein content is impressive and it’s an easy way to boost your protein quickly.
Protein is the most satiating nutrient, so eating enough throughout the day helps us stay full. If you’re working on weight loss that’s why it’s so important to eat enough protein. Protein is also crucial for building and maintaining muscle mass.
Ready to learn more about protein? Check out this post: Facts About Protein From a Registered Dietitian.
Convenient and Portable
Whether you’re rushing out the door or need a quick snack post-workout, Quest Bars are a great option. They’re lightweight, individually wrapped, and require no refrigeration. If you’re busy or just don’t love spending a bunch of time prepping snacks, they might be a great fit for you.
They also come in a ton of different varieties, so there’s a Quest bar flavor for everyone.
No added sugars
Many protein bars contain added sugars, but Quest Bars rely on sugar alcohol, sucralose, allulose, and stevia, making them attractive for those avoiding refined sugars or anyone aiming to control blood sugar levels better.
Potential Drawbacks of Quest Bars
And now, let’s explore a few possible cons for Quest protein bars.
Processed Ingredients
While the bars boast high protein, critics often point to their processed ingredients, such as artificial sweeteners and synthetic fibers, which—though FDA approved—may not align with preferences for natural, whole-food-based options.
Gastrointestinal Issues
The high fiber content (up to 15 grams of fiber per bar) and sugar alcohols can cause bloating, gas, or digestive discomfort in some individuals—especially for anyone who isn’t used to high-fiber foods.
If you’re sensitive to high fiber or sugar alcohols, they may not be the best protein bar choice for you.
Not a complete meal
It’s important to remember that Quest Bars are a supplement or snack bar—not a substitute for a meal. These bars are a high-protein supplement, but they’re not a substitute for whole foods.
Personally I think they work best when paired with a whole food for volume, like a piece of fruit or a yogurt.
Taste and Texture
The classic Quest bars have a very chewy and dense texture. Some people love it- some people don’t. It all depends on your preferences!
Personally I prefer their Crispy Hero bars which have more of a candy bar-like texture, but unfortunately they don’t come in as many flavors.
If your sensitive to the taste of alternative sweeteners like sucralose, stevia, allulose or erythritol, they also may not be your cup of tea.
Are Quest Bars Right for You?
Nutrition is highly individualized. Quest bars may be a great protein source for you, or they may not. Here are my thoughts.
Ideal for
- Busy adults seeking portable snacks to boost protein intake that support their health goals.
- Active individuals needing a quick source of post-workout protein.
- People wanting to eat less sugar, such as people seeking weight loss and folks managing blood sugar levels.
Not ideal for
- Those with sensitivity to artificial sweeteners or prefer not to eat them.
- Anyone with a sensitive digestive system especially when eating high-fiber or sugar alcohol-based products.
- Anyone who’d rather prioritize whole, fresh foods over processed alternatives.
Give them a try
If you want to try Quest bars, you can grab them here:
Other protein bars to try
- Built Bars have a soft and chewy texture and are a popular option. They also have Built Bar Puff bars, which have a chewy marshmallowy texture that I personally love.
- ALOHA Protein Bars are free from artificial sweeteners and stevia, gluten free, and vegan. I love the peanut butter chocolate chip flavor.
- Barebells are another very popular option with a candy bar-like texture and are equally high protein.
- RXBARs focus on clean, real food ingredients but include more natural sugars from dates. They also come in Minis.
More product reviews
I hope that this review was helpful to you! I love the opportunity to walk you through the pros and cons of different options. Nutrition is nuanced – my goal is to empower you to make the best choices for yourself, fueled by facts, not fear or misinformation.
- Is Premier Protein Good For You? The Truth from a Dietitian
- Collagen vs. Protein Powder: Which is Best for You?
- Is Fairlife Milk Healthy?
- Is Oikos Triple Zero Healthy? A Dietitian’s Review
- Is Canned Chicken Healthy?
- Olipop vs. Poppi
Should Quest Bars Be in Your Snack Rotation?
Quest Bars can be a good option for many of us, offering convenience, high protein, and low sugar content. However, they may not be right for everyone.
Ultimately, Quest Bars work best as a supplemental snack for anyone who is on the go and ready for a protein-packed snack. If you love the flavors – enjoy them! If the texture or ingredient list isn’t a good match for your taste buds or preferences, there are a lot of other ways to meet your protein goals.
For more ways to get your protein in, check out 30 High Protein Recipes from a Registered Dietitian.
