Dietitians Consider These The Best Keto Protein Bar Options

It's time to talk about something: snacking on the keto diet and how much of a complete bummer it can be. (Unless you're into carrying around shots of whole cream or sizzling steaks as snacks; in which case, power to you.)

But it's time to dry your tears, keto dieters: There are tons of keto protein bars out there that will keep your hanger-induced rage at bay. You just have to be a little more discerning when it comes to what's in your go-to bar.

Quick refresher: The keto diet is all about counting your macronutrients—aka how many grams of carbs, fat, and protein you eat on the reg. In order for a protein bar to be keto-friendly, it has to be low in carbohydrates and high in fats—specifically, any product or recipe macro make-up should be 60 to 75 percent fat, 15 to 20 percent protein, and 10 percent or less of carbs, says Lauren O'Connor, RD, owner of Nutri Savvy Health. "That being said, as long as your low-carb bar has quality, whole ingredients and plenty of healthy fats, the numbers don't have to be exact."

While the numbers don't have to be perfect, the closer a bar is to that ratio, the better, as this will help you meet your daily macro needs. So, sticking to O'Connor's recommended ratio will help you choose protein bars that best support all this macro counting or, simply, the diet.

Another priority when picking a keto protein bar? Whole-food ingredients, O'Connor says. This means looking for bars that prioritize healthy fats and whole proteins over powders and supplemented vitamins. Steer clear of preservatives, artificial sweeteners, and processed fats.

Look for ingredients like medium chain triglycerides or MCT oils (a type of healthy fat), extra-virgin olive oil, cold-pressed coconut oil, avocado, nuts, hemp hearts, and seeds. Pro tip: If you're sensitive to carbs or doing strict keto, skip the nuts and stick to straight oil.

Good protein choices include wild-caught fish, grass-fed meat, poultry, or eggs, she says. (Think you can't find a bar with real salmon? Just wait.) If you're looking for a more cost-friendly alternative, whey or collagen powders also pack a clean protein punch.

Here are 25 picks for the best keto protein bars out there, according to nutritionists. There's a mix of homemade and store-bought options, so you can get domestic AF sometimes and just throw a packaged bar in your bag on lazier days.