I've Found My Bars!

After tireless taste testing and untrackable expenditure I have finally found protein bars that meet my strict criteria of being:  
     *vegan
     *soy-free
     *non-GMO
     *organic
     *high in protein (15+ grams preferred)
     *low in carbs (under 20 gm preferred)

Here is my review, in the order tested.

Dr. Mercola Pure Power Protein Bar

Mercola Protein Bars

Peanut Butter & Chocolate Chip

220 cal, 9g fat, 22g carb, 4g fiber, 0mg, sodium, 14 g protein 

Taste: meh. Started kinda funky & I got used to it after a few bites.

Texture: mushy & oily 

Available only in boxes of 12 online.

While it fits pretty well into all the parameters I set, I just don't love the taste, and there is only one flavor. I will not be buying more of these.

Vega Sport Protein Recovery Bar

VegaSport

Chocolate Coconut

240 Cal, 8g fat, 28g carb, 4g fiber, 40 mg. sodium, 15 g protein

Chocolate Saviseed

230 cal, 7 g fat, 29 g carb, 6 g fiber, 65 mg sodium, 15 g pro

Taste: Delicious, but in hot weather the chocolate would be melty in my pack

Texture: firm

Available at my local Sprouts and Jimbo's stores as single bars. I will buy these again, but won't rely on these as my main go-to bars because of the melty chocolate coating, the higher carb count (fine if I'm cycling), and the limited choice of flavors.  

Square Bar

SquareBar

Cocoa Crunch

200 Cal,  9g fat, 20g carb, 2g fiber, 35 mg sodium, 12 G protein

Taste: very strong cocoa flavor,  sweet, I don't care much for it.

Texture: hard & squishy at the same time. 

Cocoa Coconut

220 cal, 11g fat, 18g carb, 2g fiber, 25mg sodium,  11g protein 

Taste: very sweet. Less intense cocoa. Better than Cocoa Crunch.

Texture: soft but dry

Cocoa Almond

210 Cal, 10g fat, 19g carb, 2g fiber, 20 mg sodium,12g protein

Taste: fairly intense cocoa flavor, sweet

Texture: chocolately coating, soft center, almonds are chopped fine.

Available online in boxes of 12, and they do have a variety pack. 

I probably wouldn't order these again. The flavor is very strong, they don't have quite enough protein compared to the calories for me. 

22 Days 

22DaysNutrition

PB Chocolate Chip Nirvana

290 cal, 10g fat, 24g carb, 9g fiber, 280mg sodium,  20g protein

 Taste: mild flavor, pleasant but not WOW

Texture: soft & chewy. No coating. Heavy. A few small chocolate chips inside.

These do have the right protein and fiber counts, but the calories are high. The flavor is not great, but not bad. If I were out somewhere and hungry, and these were in a store, I might pick one up, but I wouldn't seek them out.

Daily Mocha Mantra

220 cal, 12g fat,  21g carb, 5g fiber, 20mg sodium, 10g protein

Taste: pretty good. Can definitely taste the coffee. 

Texture: firm. Chocolatey coating is messy. 

These are a bit low on protein, and high in fat, considering the calorie count. Also, you really gotta love coffee to like this one.

Zing 

ZingBars

Cashew Cranberry Orange

200 cal, 7g fat, 26g carb, 4g fiber, 100mg sodium, 10g protein 

Taste: yummy citrus flavor, tangy, not too sweet

Texture: soft & chewy. No coating little bits of fruit & nuts inside. 

While these are too low in protein for the criteria I set, I will buy them again as a snack/energy bar or to stick in my pack when I'm cycling. They are delicious!

Almond Blueberry

220 cal,9 g fat, 23 carb, 6 g fiber, 130 mg sodium, 11 g protein

Taste: delicious nutty flavor, not too sweet, pleasant.

Texture: soft and chewy, no coating. Little bits of fruit and nuts inside.

Again, I would buy these again for cycling, my kids' lunchbox, etc., but won't rely on them for protein. Delightful. They are available in several flavors and a vegan variety pack. I want to try them all!

Organic Food Bar

OrganicFoodBar

Protein

330 cal, 9g fat, 33g carb, 8g fiber, 5mg sodium, 22g protein

Taste: sweet/tart, fruity

Texture: soft and chewy and little gritty. Tiny bits of seeds and/or nuts inside.

Well they are high in protein, but also very high in sugars and calories! I appreciate the "greenness" of the company and the quality ingredients, but this is not what I was looking for. I won't buy them again. I will try to sneak them in my kid's lunch (she can use the calories!), but I have a feeling she won't care for them. I may eat one if I do a long and hard bike ride, but they really are very sugary. I wonder why they felt the need to include blue agave nectar when they are already full of dates? 

GoMacro Macrobar Protein Replenishment

GoMacro

Peanut Butter

260 cal, 10g fat, 34 carb, 2g fiber, 5mg sodium, 12g protein

Taste: gross! Like sad peanuts...

Texture: heavy, chewy, crunchy bits of peanuts inside

I do not like this one.

 How can you seriously call this bar "protein replenishment" when it has only 12 g protein and 34 g carbs! For 260 calories I could have so much more protein and much better flavor. Yuck.

Dale's Raw Protein Bars

DalesRawFoods

Here we have our hands-down winner!! Dale's has many interesting flavors to choose from, and they have regular and lower-carb protein bars. They are all vegan, non-GMO, soy-free, 90% organic and raw. They also happen to be gluten-free and do not contain agave.

Here's a video by Dale about his ingredients: Dale's Ingredients

I've tried several flavors, and liked them all--so much that I've placed another order already so I can try more flavors! I stocked up because there was a recent sale of buy 2 get 1 free and free shipping with orders over $150. That brought the price down from somewhere around $4 a bar to just over $2 each! They freeze well! So, here are the pros and cons:

Vanilla Cashew

259 cal, 15g fat, 16g carb, 7g fiber, 100mg sodium 22g protein

A bit dense & dry but seems to soften up and be more moist and chewy when brought to room temperature.  Flavor is good and no messy coating. Just the nutritional profile I was looking for!

Carrot Cake

282 cal, 11g fat, 33g carb, 8g fiber, 22g protein 

Wow, delicious. 

Not one of the lower carb bars, but I love it so much I don't care!

Raspberry Hazelnut

280 cal, 10g fat, 33g carb, 7g fiber, 100mg sodium, 22 g protein

Yummy and moist. I ate this one at the movie theater during Captain America. Way better than candy! Again, not one of the lower carb choices, but yummy and high protein.

Cafe Mocha with Chia Seeds

264 cal, 16g fat, 15g carb, 7g fiber, 100mg sodium, 22g protein

The lower carb choices are not that much lower in calories. So far I prefer the regular bar flavors, but I haven't tasted them all---YET. This one is good. I enjoyed it with a cup of maté tea. mmmmmm....

Chocolate Chia Maca

252 cal, 16g fat, 13g carb, 8g fiber, 100mg sodium, 22g protein

Another winner. Straight out of the frig they are a bit hard and dry, but left out for a bit to warm up they are delightful. Great numbers here...almost all protein after subtracting the fiber!

Dale's Raw Food Bars need to be stored in the refrigerator. They are fine to put in a pack, purse, lunchbox, etc. but because they are raw, if left out for a couple of weeks they could start to ferment. They are made fresh WHEN YOU ORDER THEM so they may take a little longer to arrive at your door, but they are worth the wait for freshness and they all taste delicious. They keep well in the freezer, so you can stock up on sales or with the coupons you will receive via email when you sign up on their website.

I just received and email that said my next order has been shipped. I can't wait to try some more new flavors!