RXBARs have become one of the hottest names in protein bars as they continue to rise due to consumers becoming more health-conscious.
The heady company was recently acquired by food giant Kellogg’s for a cool $600 million, but why did it take so much money?
Part of their appeal comes from being transparent – on every wrapper, you’ll see what ingredients make up each bar and how “No B.S.” (bullshit) there is about them!
Related: 15 Best Protein Bars on the Market
RXBAR Nutrition Information
So, do RXBARs really deserve their reputation as a nutritious product? Or are they simply another case of slick marketing bamboozling customers into buying something that doesn’t live up to its promises. Let’s start by looking at the nutrition facts for one their Chocolate Peanut Butter flavor which is one of their most popular:
- Calories: 210
- Carbs: 22g
- Protein: 12
- Dietary Fiber: 4g
- Total Fat: 10g
- Sat Fat: 2g
- Ingredients: Dates, Peanuts, Egg Whites, Chocolate, Natural Flavors, Cocoa, Sea Salt
You may have heard of the health benefits of eating a protein-rich, high-fiber diet? Well, it’s true! Eating these two nutrients has been shown in studies to help reduce cravings for sweets.
Furthermore, because both fibers and proteins take longer than other macronutrients (like fats) to digest, your body absorbs them more slowly, which can lead you to feel less hungry between meals or even reduce appetite altogether.
Plus, with all our busy lives today, who doesn’t want something convenient when they’re craving some junk food—without having too much sugar lingering around their mouth afterward.
As if being tasty weren’t enough reason alone why everyone should ingest RXBARs.
The nutrition labels will vary slightly depending on what flavor you choose, but they are all pretty close to the numbers above.
Fiber
Fiber is an essential factor in a healthy diet. It can help break down foods for easier digestion, maintain good bowel health, and lower cholesterol levels, among other things.
The average American eats only 10-15 grams of fiber daily, which means they're missing out on all these benefits - but there's plenty more where that came from if you start adding it back into your life today, though (and without giving up any favorite comfort foods).
Fiber is a carbohydrate found in foods such as whole grains, legumes, and fruit. Scientists have linked high-fiber diets to positive outcomes like reduced diabetes and heart disease risk.
One of the reasons why fiber can help you stay fuller longer could be because it takes more time (about 30 minutes) before your stomach starts producing enough enzymes so that break down food into energy or nutrients, which might otherwise lead us towards overeating if consumed too quickly without adequate digestion beforehand.
The benefits of eating a bar high in fiber are both short-term and long term.
In the short term, you will be fuller for longer because it absorbs water while eating which means less room left over to stuff yourself with bad calories; but what's more is that this can reduce your risk of many major diseases such as heart disease or diabetes by giving our digestive system time to work properly.
Protein
Protein provides the amino acids your muscles need to repair and rebuild, which allow you time after exercise for recovery. Protein can also be used as a source for energy,
The main ingredient which gives RXBARS their protein is egg whites, which qualify as a “complete” because they contain all nine essential amino acids. These are the building blocks of muscle and make them great for continued muscle-building efforts.
Fats
Ten grams of fat in an RXBAR is substantial (the content varies between 7 and 10 g, depending on variety), but much can be considered "healthy".
That's largely because these bars make extensive use of ingredients like pecans, cashews, almonds, and peanuts. These nuts are high in monounsaturated or polyunsaturated fats, with omega-3s being particularly abundant among them.
Monounsaturated fats are the artery-protecting lifesaver that can help protect against heart disease and strokes. These healthy omega 3 also has an important role in our diet by helping us absorb vitamins more efficiently, while polyunsaturated oils lower cholesterol levels to reduce chances of getting a major medical issue like cardiovascular ailments too.
Switch out refined sources of saturated fat with these essential mon/poly combo ingredients for better results as they're versatile enough not only to be used on their own but combined into dishes where one would typically use animal-based lard or butter anyways.
RXBARS have a gram or two of saturated fat, which is much less than many protein bars on the market. Many protein bars are loaded with palm kernel oil which is high in saturated fat.
The reason is simple: it's cheap and increases the bar's shelf life. Unfortunately, palm kernel oil may also increase your risk for heart disease and other ailments. Many protein bars use palm kernel oil because of its low cost. Manufacturers use this oil because it has a long shelf life and increases profits by increasing the bar's fat content.
However, some dangers are associated with consuming too much Palm Kernel Oil, such as triggering LDL cholesterol levels that raise one's chance for cardiovascular diseases like atherosclerosis or coronary artery disease.
It's nice to see that RXBARS stay away from palm kernal oil. We wish more protein bar manufacturers would do the same.
Sugar Content
RXBARS have an average sugar content of about 13 grams of sugar per bar, depending on the flavor it could go up to as high as 17 grams.
The nice part is the sugar content in these bars comes from dates rather than added sugar. Dates are high in fiber, and they contain significant amounts of potassium.
The company says dates can be very beneficial to one's health because it provides them with natural sugar while also providing an abundance or nutrients like iron that many people need every day.
Fiber Again
Fiber slows down digestion, resulting in the sugar being absorbed more slowly. This gives your liver time to metabolize and keep blood sugar stable without causing those rapid rises or sudden crashes associated with a sugary snack attack.
Dates are high in tannins, an antioxidant that may possess potent cancer-fighting capabilities, among other health benefits. However, consuming too much sugar via dried fruit is still possible. Eating two or more RXBARs per day can quickly veer into the realm of problematic for some people if they have diabetes or have not been following a healthy diet plan at all times during their life so far.
RXBARs Overview
RXBARs, though simple in ingredients and executed well with only the best nutrition for fuel to power your body forward. They contain dates as one of their key sources of carbohydrates while also containing nuts which can be beneficial during periods without bread around!
The company goes on a cocoa bean journey when making chocolate-based bars but don't worry: these aren't high sugar foods due entirely because there's cacao included too; not just any old type either—a special kind meant specifically designed by nature, so we get all its amazing benefits (rich flavor & antioxidants) at low glycemic index numbers.
You may not know it, but there are many benefits to consuming dark chocolate. These include lower blood pressure and preventing certain diseases such as cardiovascular disease or dementia! The key ingredient in this type? Antioxidants - they're what make cocoa beans so healthy for your body.
Pros and Cons of RXBARs
Pros
- Uses all-natural ingredients
- No added sugars or sugar alcohols
- No artery-clogging palm kernel oil
- Wide variety of flavors
- Gluten-free
Cons
- Some people don't like the consistency of the bars with nut pieces in them. I don't mind but I can see their point.
- Above average in price
Are RXBARs Healthy? Conclusion
RXBARs are made with real food that we know is good for us. They don't have any unnecessary ingredients, and their high fiber content means they can curb your appetite to prevent major spikes in blood sugar levels when you eat them as well.
I recommend these bars if you want a healthy snack or meal replacement bar because of its many nutrients, including protein from natural sources like nuts & seeds; no added sugars, which helps keep weight under control without making people feel deprived while still getting all my daily needs met. Plus, there's always something available nearby grocery stores so cravings won't get out of hand.
RXBARs are a surprisingly intelligent snack for people with dietary restrictions. They're free from soy, gluten and dairy, so you can enjoy them without worrying about what else is in the bars. The added spices and seasonings only bring additional health benefits - cinnamon being one of those ingredients used to give many RX bar varieties their signature taste that allure us into buying more than just one.
I also like that they don't use palm kernel oil like many protein bars do which is loaded with saturated fat.
Overall the RXBARs are about as close as you can get to regular food, just in bar form.
They keep it simple with only a few ingredients, which I like.
To answer the question, yes. RXBARs are healthy.
Find out more about RXBARs at their website or buy some on Amazon.
Ryan is a former college wrestler and lifelong fitness fanatic. He has run half marathons, done mud runs, placed in body transformation contests, coached wrestling, and now coaches girls’ soccer. Not to mention he has also tried literally hundreds of supplements over the years and has a vast and thorough supplement knowledge. He has written for Muscle & Strength, Testosterone Junkie, The Sport Review and other publications. He is also the editor-in-chief of this website and has over 25 years of experience in the fitness industry. Feel free to connect with him on his LinkedIn page below.