By the '60s, some protein bars were marketed as diet bars or weight loss bars that would provide energy and nutrients while taking the place of a traditional meal. At the advent of the fitness movement and health revolution of the 1980s, the PowerBar was invented by two distance runners. In the almost 50 years since, we have seen countless versions of so-called "healthy" protein bars, some making more dubious claims than others.
Protein bars are becoming really, really popular. The multibillion-dollar protein-bar industry is projected to grow to over 7 billion by 2029 - so it's no surprise there are a lot of bars on the market. But they can't all be winners. And they don't always taste great. To help find which is the best to buy at the grocery store, I bought protein bars in similar flavors from six different brands to review.