By Dana Leigh Smith and Julia Chatzky

Once upon a time, eating on the go was synonymous with soggy drive-thru burgers and chemical-filled “nutrition” shakes. But the food landscape is not what it once was—and healthy eaters on the run no longer have to settle for junk.

In fact, eating healthy—anywhere and anytime—has never been easier, thanks in part to a new generation of plant-based protein bars. Made with natural ingredients like seeds, fruit, nut butters and various vegan-friendly protein powders, these revamped bars are easy on your digestive tract and better for your body and weight loss goals than their chemical-filled ancestors. (And potentially better for you than whey, too, because it can cause bloat.)

Sound like something you’d like to try? Grab one of our suggested bars, below. They all have at sufficient counts of muscle-building protein and no more than 16 grams of sugar—which is truly a hard find when so many plant-based bars rely on fruit and nectar to make up their bulk and binding. Read on to discover which one is the very best for a flat belly, and don’t miss out on these essential 50 Best Weight Loss Tips.

Per bar (65 g): 260 calories, 8 g fat (2 g saturated fat), 80 mg sodium, 38 g carbs (3 g fiber, 9 g sugar), 10 g protein

Though this is one of the higher calorie bars on this list, it manages it keep its sugar count respectably low, which earns it a gold star in our book. Aside from its distinctive nutty yet sweet flavor, this bar, which is made with a combination of sprouted brown rice and sunflower seed butter, is a good source of iron, a key nutrient for a healthy libido.

Speaking of libido, be sure you’re eating these 5 Foods That Supercharge Your Sex Drive.

Available for $31.48 per 12 pack ($2.62 each) at Amazon.com

Per bar (40 g): 150 calories, 5 g fat (1 g saturated fat), 210 mg sodium, 16 g carbs (7 g fiber, 1 g sugar), 15 g protein

Simply Protein’s motto is “The most protein for the least calories” and boy, do they deliver! Each of these sweet bars is packed with 15 grams of protein for just 150 calories. Plus, each one only has one gram of sugar and no artificial sweeteners—it doesn’t get much better than that.

Available for $24 per 12 pack ($2.00 each) at Simplyprotein.com

Per bar (48): 210 calories, 9 g fat (6 g saturated fat), 30 mg sodium, 23 g carbs (2 g fiber, 14 g sugar), 12 g protein

This gluten-free, vegan protein bar is packed with flat-belly super foods like oats and coconut oil, a primo source of cancer-fighting conjugated linoleic acid. And with 11 grams of protein and 11 grams of healthy, satiating fat, this tropical-inspired bar sure to tide you over until you can sit down to a full meal.

Available for $24.57 per 12 pack ($2.05 each) at Amazon.com

Per bar (50 g): 200 calories, 8 g fat (2 g saturated fat), 180 mg sodium, 25 g carbs (5 g fiber, 11 g sugar), 10 g protein

Made from omega-3 rich chia seeds, oats, quinoa, pea protein, hunger squashing almonds and a host of other clean ingredients, this calcium and fiber filled bar has a unique chewy texture and a fruity flavor that stands out in the honey and oat category of the protein bar world.

For more surprising bone-building snacks, read up on these 10 Ways to Get Your Calcium Outside the Dairy Aisle.

Available for $17.09 per 12 pack ($1.42 each) at Amazon.com

Per bar (45 g): 180 Calories, 7 g fat (3 g saturated fat), 150 mg sodium, 18 g carbs (7 g fiber, 3 g sugar), 17 g protein

Reese’s Lovers, this peanut butter chocolate soy snack is for you! It’s hard to believe that NuGO’s rich-tasting bar is actually good for you, but it has everything we look for in a good bar: high protein, a hit of fiber and minimal additives. Reach for one of these instead of heading to the vending machine next time that 4 p.m. craving strikes—your waistline will thank you. And for more high protein snack ideas check out these 50 Best Snacks for Weight Loss.

Available for $27.94 per 12 pack ($2.32 each) at Amazon.com

Per bar (75 g): 250 calories, 16 g fat (2 g saturated fat), 15 mg sodium, 18 g carbs (5 g fiber, 9 g sugar), 11 g protein

Not only are they loaded with protein and fiber, but pumpkin seeds are also a top source of magnesium, a mineral that strengthens bones — and this vegan bar is packed with the stuff. Sunflower seed butter and various plant proteins, ranging from rice to hemp, play a supporting role and help make this bar as filling as it is delicious.
Looking for more nutritious snacks, packed with the cannabis plant? Check out these 5 Hemp Products You Need to Know Now.

Available for $35.88 per 12 pack ($2.99 each) at 22daysnutrition.com

Per bar (60g): 260 calories, 13 g fat (2.5 g saturated fat), 25 mg sodium, 23 g carbs (1 g fiber, 12 g sugar), 15 g protein

Made with just four whole food ingredients including organic cashews, organic coconut nectar, pea protein and organic lemon extract, this sweet and tangy bar is a clear nutritional winner. The calories are on the higher side, mainly because of the cashews, but it’s also a larger, dense bar that takes longer to consume. Nosh on this bar along with an apple or a pear for a fast and filling on-the-go breakfast.

Available for $24.69 per 12 pack ($2.06 each) at Amazon.com

Per bar (70 g): 220 calories, 7 g fat (4.5 g saturated fat), 300 mg sodium, 25 g carbs (3 g fiber, 13 g sugar), 15 g protein

Filled with 15 grams of plant protein and a sufficient load of 3 grams of satiating fiber, this is might be the ultimate meal-replacement bar. But it gets better: ProBar uses a number of disease-fighting ingredients to create their bar, including tumor-fighting flaxseeds, omega-3 rich chia seeds and flavonoid-rich cocoa. Flavonoids have been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease, cance,r and diabetes, and also keep your metabolism going strong.

Speaking of metabolism, keep yours revved with these 55 Best-Ever Ways to Boost Your Metabolism.

Available for $9.50 per 4 pack ($2.38 each) at Amazon.com

Per bar (40 g): 200 calories, 14 g fat (2 g saturated fat), 65 mg sodium, 12 g carbs (2.5 g fiber, 7 g sugar), 10 g protein

Coming in at 10 grams of blood-sugar stabilizing protein and a mere 7 grams of sugar is this crunchy, just-sweet-enough snack from KIND. They’re made with a mix of peanuts, almonds, macadamias, walnuts, cashews and Brazil nuts, which is the richest known food source of selenium out there! In fact, just one of these bars will give you 50 percent of the day’s recommended intake. Not only does selenium play a key role in metabolism, immunity and reproductive health, but it also helps the body absorb vitamin E, which can help ward off cataracts later in life.

If you’re looking for more foods that will benefit both your waistline and your peepers, we’ve got your back. Check out these Best Weight Loss Foods for Eye Health.

Available for $17.05 per 12 pack ($1.42 each) Amazon.com

Per bar (56 g): 230 calories, 9 g fat (3.5 g saturated fat), 85 mg sodium, 20 g carbs (7 g fiber, 10 g sugar), 14 g protein

Say “Aloha” to one of our favorite bars taking the health world by storm, succeeding by creating convenient snacks without convenience store quality ingredients. One scan of the ingredient panel is all it takes to see that they’re legit. Whole food ingredients like cashews, pumpkin seeds, pumpkin seed protein and pea protein make up the bulk of this bar, while organic pea crisps, sea salt, vanilla extract and monk fruit extract lend texture and flavor.

Available for $27.07 per 12 pack ($2.26 each) at Amazon.com

Per bar (43 g): 160 calories, 9 g fat (2.5 g saturated fat), 170 mg sodium, 16 g carbs (12 g fiber, 2 g sugar), 12 g protein

This cookie tasting bar has one of the best sugar-to-protein ratios on the market. Made with simple Paleo-friendly ingredients including: pea protein, cashews, agave, and chia seeds. The point is: you can’t go wrong with this low-carb snack. Not loving the flavor profile of this bar? YouBar allows customers to make custom energy bars, in orders as small as one box! You can even give your snack it’s own creative name. We’ve yet to come across another brand that offers this service.

Available for $35.88 per 12 pack ($2.99 each) at Youbarstore.com

Per bar (50 g): 200 calories, 5 g fat (3 g saturated fat), 160 mg sodium, 29 g carbs (1 g fiber, 14 g sugar), 10 g protein

NuGo is especially great at taking the junk food flavors we love, and transforming them into well-worth it bites. Thin Mint Cookie lovers, this one’s for you. This bar serves you all the benefits of a protein bar, but better — it’s made with all natural ingredients, has enough protein to fill you until your next meal, and is kept low in fat and in calories.

Available for $15.48 per 12 pack ($1.29 each) at Amazon.com

Per bar (45 g): 210 calories, 11 g fat (3 g saturated fat), 55 mg sodium, 28 g carbs (3 g fiber, 16 g sugar), 4 g protein

Larabars are great, regardless of your choice of flavor, because they’re made with a short list of natural ingredients. They’re easily digestible and full of simple carbs which are necessary for fueling your body for everyday function. But we must caution you. Because they are naturally high in sugar, we recommend eating these bars before you’re going to exhort a ton of energy, like at the gym. That way you’ll have a natural boost of energy to carry you through your fitness fix.

Available for $15.90 per 16 pack ($0.99 each) at Amazon.com

Per bar (36 g): 180 calories, 12 g fat (2.5 g saturated fat), 40 mg sodium, 12 g carbs (2 g fiber, 7 g sugar), 8 g protein

Talk about cinnamon, spice, and everything nice! With 7 simple ingredients, this bar uses the stupendous superfood, pumpkin seeds as its main source of protein. The seeds been said to be a natural-fat burner and appetite suppressant, by mixing them with metabolism boosting cinnamon, we’re handing the gold-medal to this bar.

Available for $14.24 per 12 pack ($1.18 each) at Amazon.com

Per bar (52 g): 210 calories, 9 g fat (2 g saturated fat), 200 mg sodium, 24 g carbs (6 g sugar, 14 g sugar), 12 g protein

This is the type of bar we have been waiting for, especially for those us who love the taste of mint chocolate chip and are in need of a chemical and refined sugar detox. This flavor is crystal clear of chemicals, and is made from just 7 pure ingredients — none of which are sugar. Instead, this bar gathers its sweet side from dates. Resembling the familiar taste of mint chocolate chip ice cream and the chewiness of a Laffy Taffy, the creators of the RX Bar are onto something good.

Available for $29.94 per 12 pack ($2.49 each) at Amazon.com

Per bar (60g): 170 calories, 5 g fat (2 g saturated fat), 190 mg sodium, 27 g carbs (19 g fiber, 1 g sugar), 20 g protein

It’s time for all other vegan bars to MOOve over! This delicious vegan bar surpassed every expectation of ours — regardless of what flavor you choose. This bar has no artificial sweeteners, in fact it only has 1 gram of sugar. This bar is as nutritionally stellar as they come — low in sugar, high in fiber, even higher in protein — a true triple threat.

Available for $21.37per 12 pack ($1.78 each) at Amazon.com

Per bar (46 g): 180 calories, 11 g fat (2 g saturated fat), 110 mg sodium, 17 g carbs (14 g fiber, 2 g sugar) 15 g protein

Ever eat a nut butter by the spoonful and get frustrated that you just can’t stop? Raw Rev Glo has got you covered. Not only are the bars vegan, gluten free, and non-GMO but each bar includes raw-sprouted superfoods! These bars hold little-to-no sugar compared to their overloading count of 14 grams of belly-filling fiber! Not to mention its taste and texture, which resembles peanut butter at its prime!

Available for $11.31 per 12 pack ($0.94 each) at Amazon.com

Per bar (70 g): 260 calories, 7 g fat (1 g saturated fat), 140 mg sodium, 32 g carbs (7 g fiber, 8 g sugar), 20 g protein

In need of a mind-afternoon pick-me-up? Ditch the cookies and the chips. This protein bar may seem high in calories, but rest assured it’s well worth it, especially when you’re trying to get that belly-flat. With 20 grams of satiating fiber this thin-mint-cookie tasting bar will help you keep those hunger strikes at bay, without feeling like you’re eating too little or giving up the foods you love.

Available for $23.54 per 12 pack ($1.96 each) at Amazon.com

Per bar (49g): 200 calories, 9 g fat (4.5 g saturated fat), 65 mg sodium, 24 g carb (4 g fiber, 12 g sugar), 11 g protein

Created by former Ironman triathlete, this balanced protein bar is the perfect meal replacement, and will definitely satisfy your sweet cravings. Chocolate combine with peanuts, sea salt, and all the other good stuff — your taste buds will go wild and your body will thank you for choosing this plant-based bar.

Available for $18.99 per 12 pack ($1.58 each) at Amazon.com

Per bar (65g): 150 calories, 6 g fat (1 g saturated fat), 70 mg sodium, 26 g carbs (23 g fiber, 0 g fiber), 20 g protein

This bar gets its main source of protein and fiber from organic sacha inchi, organic prebiotic resistant tapioca fiber, and organic sunflower butter — all of which are ingredients we give a double thumbs up to! It boasts a remarkable 20 grams of protein and even greater 26 grams of belly filling fiber! Whether you need a breakfast on the go, or a snack to hold you over during long office hours this bar definitely a great option.

Available for $29.99 per 12 pack ($2.49 each) at Amazon.com