Protein bars are a convenient snack option when you’re on the go. But with so many options available on the market, it can be challenging to find the right product to suit your needs. We’ve brought together the dairy-free protein bars available on the Canadian market to help make grocery shopping a breeze.
How do you know if a product is dairy-free?
In Canada, priority allergens must be declared on food labels. If dairy products have been used in a food item, they must be clearly listed in the contains statement. The ingredients must also be listed using the common name, for example, milk instead of casein.
Food manufacturers can also include a May Contain statement on the food packaging. Unlike the Contains statement, the May Contain statement is not mandatory in food labeling. Food companies may choose to add a May Contain statement to their product if there is a risk of contamination of an allergen not included in the ingredients.
In the case of food allergies, it is best to confirm with the food manufacturer if you’re unsure if the product has come in contact with dairy.
Looking for granola bars and energy bars that are dairy-free? Check out our comprehensive list of Dairy-Free Snack Bar Brands here!
What is a ‘protein bar’?
There is no set definition of what makes a bar fall under the ‘protein bar’ category. Having reviewed all of the snack bars, protein bars, and energy bars on the market, we define a protein bar as follows:
A protein bar contains more than 10g of protein per bar, less than 250 calories per bar, and/or is described on the packaging as a protein bar by the manufacturer.
Dairy-Free Protein Bars
With the number of products on the market, finding allergen-friendly snacks can be a challenge. We’ve searched grocery stores and brought together the dairy-free snack bar brands available to make your shopping easier. Continue reading for a list of dairy-free snack bars on the market.
The following products do not list dairy in the Contains or May Contain statements. We do our best to keep our product lists up to date. Be sure to always check the product label for up-to-date allergen information before purchasing and consuming a product.
Go Macro Bars
Go Macro bars are available in fourteen flavours. The nutrition profile of Go Macro bars ranges depending on the flavour, and not all flavours are considered protein bars by our definition. The bars contain 4-12g of protein and 9-14g of sugar per bar.
Hemp Yeah! Protein Bar
Hemp Yeah! Protein bars are available in three flavours: coconut cashew dark chocolate; dark chocolate & cocoa nibs; and dark chocolate almond sea salt. They contain 10g of protein and 7g of sugar per bar.
Julian Bakery Paleo Thin
Julian Bakery Paleo Thin bars are egg-white protein bars. They contain 20g of protein and 1g of sugar and are sweetened with monk fruit.
Lara Bar Protein
Larabar Protein contains pea protein as its protein source and is available in three flavours: almond butter chocolate brownie; chocolate peanut butter cup; and apple cobbler. They contain 11g of protein and 18-19g of sugar per bar.
NAGI
NAGI protein bars contain a protein blend with protein coming from peas and rice. They are available in five flavours: lemon goji berry coconut; chocolate almond coconut; chocolate quinoa coconut; chocolate goji berry; and apple cinnamon cranberry. They contain 12-13g of protein and 9-11g of sugar per bar.
RX Bar
RX bars are egg white protein bars available in seven flavours: peanut butter; chocolate sea salt; blueberry; banana chocolate walnut; chocolate chip; peanut butter chocolate; coconut chocolate. They contain 12g of protein and 13-15g of sugar per bar.
Yofit Probiotic Bar
YoFiit bars are oat-based bars available in two flavours: choco goji and apple cinnamon. They contain 10g of protein from pea protein and hemp and 4-5g of sugar per bar.
PRO Bar
PRO BAR is a soy protein-based bar available in five flavours: peanut butter chocolate; cookie dough; coffee crunch; mint chocolate; and chocolate bliss. They contain 20g of protein and 14g of sugar per bar.
Dairy-Free Protein Bars
The following bars do not contain dairy as an ingredient. However, they are packaged in a facility that also processes dairy and may not be suitable for those with a dairy allergy.
Genuine Health Fermented Vegan Protein
Genuine Health Fermented Vegan Proteins+ bars contain a protein blend with most of the protein coming from pea, sesame, and brown rice. They are available in six flavours: double chocolate chip; lemon coconut; dark chocolate almond; double chocolate chip; maple walnut; peanut butter chocolate; and strawberry pistachio. They contain 14g of protein and 10g of sugar per bar.
Genuine Health lists milk on the may contain statement and may not be suitable for persons with allergies.
Nugo Dark
Nugo Dark is a soy protein-based bar available in seven flavours: chocolate almond, chocolate pretzel, mint chocolate chip, chocolate chocolate chip, peanut butter cup, chocolate coconut, and mocha chocolate. They contain 12g of protein and 13g of sugar per bar.
NuGo Dark bars do not contain dairy but are manufactured in a facility that processes milk and may not be suitable for persons with allergies.
Raw Rev Glo
Raw Rev Glo bars contain a protein blend with peanuts, pea protein, brown rice protein, hemp protein, chia, and flax seeds. They are available in seven flavours: mixed nuts, caramel & sea salt; peanut butter, dark chocolate & sea salt; creamy peanut butter & sea salt; double chocolate brownie; chocolate chip cookie dough; crunchy peanut butter & sea salt; and birthday cake. They contain 11g of protein and 3g of sugar.
Rae Rev Glo bars do not contain dairy but are manufactured in a facility that processes milk and may not be suitable for persons with allergies.
Simply Protein
Simply Protein bars are soy-based protein bars available in eight flavours: peanut butter chocolate; coconut; dark chocolate almond; lemon coconut; cinnamon pecan; cocoa raspberry; mint chocolate chip; dark chocolate salted caramel. They contain 12g of protein and 1-2g of sugar per bar.
Simply Protein lists milk as part of the may contain statement and may not be suitable for persons with allergies.
Sprouted Protein Bar
Sprouted Protein contains a protein blend with brown rice, quinoa, amaranth, millet, pumpkin, and fava bean protein. They are available in three flavours: sweet and salty caramel, double chocolate brownie, and peanut chocolate chip. They have 16g of protein and 4g of sugar per bar.
Sprouted Protein lists milk as part of the may contain statement and may not be suitable for those with allergies.
What’s your favourite dairy-free protein bar? Let us know in the comments below!
