Dietary intolerances can be a difficult thing to live with. Often you’re left lacking in vital nutrition. Unless you make everything from scratch, you spend most of your time in the grocery store reading and re-reading labels.
Protein bars can be a quick and convenient way to fill the nutritional holes in your diet. However they can also be packed with allergens you need to beware of. So, what are the best organic and gluten free protein bars? Let’s take a look and find out.
- Raw Rev Crunchy Peanut Butter & Sea Salt Glo Bars mix the smooth & savory
- Raw Rev Glo snack bars have 10-15g of protein and only 2-5g of sugar
- Try all our Raw Rev Glo flavors
- MADE WITH CRICKET PROTEIN: A nutritious (full amino acid profile) and sustainable (20x more resource-efficient than beef)...
- NUTRITIONALLY DENSE: Packed with bioavailable protein, fiber and healthy monounsaturated fats from ultra-premium real food...
- PALEO-FRIENDLY: Insects are the most Paleo protein source on earth. Exo bars contain no soy, dairy, gluten or refined sugars.
- CERTIFIED ORGANIC - Made from simple organic ingredients, Pure Organic Ancient Grain and Nut bars deliver balanced nutrition...
- GLUTEN-FREE - Perfect for those who have an intolerance to gluten. Our certified gluten-free snack bars deliver a modern take...
- FINEST INGREDIENTS - All of our snack foods are made without artificial flavors, or colors and are: USDA-certified organic,...
- NUTRITIONALLY SATISFYING – For only 150 clean calories, you'll up your energy like crazy, curb your cravings & stay nice.
- AS CLEAN AS IT GETS – Raw, Organic, Gluten-Free, Grain-Free, Dairy-Free, Soy-Free & Low Carb. NO "natural" flavors or...
- NATURE UNCHANGED – Soaked & dehydrated, rather than cooked, in order to maintain their original concentrated nutrients and...
- Protein Replenishment: Vegan peanut butter bars at their finest; Crunchy, roasted peanuts mixed with GoMacro's very own...
- Plant-Based Protein: Granola bars, vegan cookies, keto snacks, or vegan jerky are nice, but GoMacro's plant-based protein...
- Plant-Based Nutrition: Whether you're looking for vegan protein bars, vegan snacks, or just a delicious bar with vegan...
What is Gluten Free All About Anyway?
Gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye, oats and barley. When some people eat gluten, their body produces an immune response which attacks the small intestine and leads to gastrointestinal discomfort.
Anyone allergic to gluten suffers from a severe autoimmune disorder called celiac disease (also called coeliac disease in the UK) which affects 1 in 100 people worldwide.
According to the Celiac Disease Foundation,
two and one-half million Americans are undiagnosed and are at risk for long-term health complications.
Celiac disease can affect anyone at anytime. Some people are born with a sensitivity to gluten (which is why most formula and baby foods are now gluten free) where as some people develop the condition later in life. Left untreated, celiac disease can lead to a plethora of serious health issues.
What Are The Symptoms of Celiac Disease?
The most common and notable symptom of celiac disease is any form of gastrointestinal distress after consuming foods containing gluten. Bear in mind, every person experiences the sensitivity differently and at different levels. Most people experience some form of abdominal pain and bloating, right up to violent bouts of diarrhea and vomiting.
Other symptoms which most celiac sufferers experience but don’t necessarily relate to food intolerance are eczema, dermatitis, iron deficiency anemia and even infertility and miscarriage. As these symptoms are not something you would initially link with any kind of food allergy, this means it can be incredibly difficult to diagnose celiac disease.
Although anyone can develop celiac disease, it is a hereditary condition. So those with a first degree relative with the disease (parent, sibling etc) have a 1 in 10 chance of developing the condition at some point in their lives.
The Long Term Health Effects of Celiac Disease
If left untreated, celiac disease can lead to severe health issues including:
- Iron deficiency anemia
- Early onset osteoporosis or osteopenia
- Infertility and miscarriage
- Lactose intolerance
- Vitamin and mineral deficiencies
- Central and peripheral nervous system disorders
- Pancreatic insufficiency
- Gall bladder malfunction
- Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
- Small intestinal adenocarcinoma
- Esophageal carcinoma
- Papillary thyroid cancer
- Melanoma
What Treatment is Available for Celiac Disease?
Celiac disease is a lifelong condition with the only treatment being to follow a strict gluten free diet. Albeit, people experience different levels of sensitivity, some can eat a sandwich before experiencing any symptoms where another can’t ingest a crumb without rushing to the bathroom.
Non-Celiac Wheat Sensitivity
Some people also experience the symptoms of celiac disease when they consume gluten, yet do not test positive for celiac disease. The terms non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS) and non-celiac wheat sensitivity (NCWS) refer to this condition. Removing gluten from the diet resolves symptoms.
Symptoms of NCGS and NCWS often include:
- Foggy mind
- Depression
- ADHD-like behavior
- Abdominal pain
- Bloating, diarrhea
- Constipation
- Headaches
- Bone or joint pain
- Chronic fatigue
Who Needs Gluten Free Protein Bars?
Protein snack bars have the potential to be a wonderful on-the-go snack. Not only are they super convenient but are a great way to fill nutritional gaps in your diet.
However, as many bars on the market are packed with artificial fillers, GMOs as well as other questionable ingredients, finding a protein bar which is organic while abstaining from gluten can be a challenge.
The Best Organic and Gluten Free Protein Bars
To make it easier for you, I’ve taken a look at all of the products currently available and chosen five top competitors to share with you today.
I have tried to select products where the ingredients are super easy to understand and are more importantly, healthy and gluten free!
Raw Rev Glo
Raw Rev Glo Protein Bars These protein bars from Raw Revolution somehow manage to pack numerous organic, gluten free ingredients into one bar with 10 grams of protein and only 5 grams of sugar all the while remaining super affordable.
Exo
Exo Cricket Flour Protein Bars You’re probably thinking “Helen has lost her mind if she thinks I’m going to eat a protein bar made from”, but before you completely freak out, just take in all the facts. First off believe it or not, 80% of the world eats bugs. It’s just something we are not accustomed to in our society. Also, crickets take 20 times few resources to raise than cattle. Their nutrient profile is impressive with 10 grams of protein and a full amino acid profile in each bar. They are also gluten, grain, soy and dairy free. When you’re eating them, just imagine you’re Bear Grylls! Plus don’t worry, they’re super sweet and don’t taste like crickets at all.
Pure Organic
Pure Organic Peanut Butter Chocolate Ancient Grain Bars These protein bars from Pure Organic are both gluten free and USDA certified organic. They offer 5 grams of protein which may not be enough to aid your fitness goals, but will make a great on-the-go snack.
Raw Crunch
Raw Crunch Bars - Organic Dark Chocolate These organic protein bars are handmade and contain 5 grams of protein. They are a mix of organic nuts and seeds with organic dark chocolate for a gluten free sweet treat. As a lover of dark chocolate, these would be a favorite of mine. On the downside, again, these are quite expensive.
GoMacro
GoMacro Organic Macrobars These organic protein bars from Macrobars offer a great 12 grams of protein per bar. They are packed with USDA certified organic ingredients, are gluten and soy free, non GMO and vegan friendly. On the downside these are very expensive, but if you are happy to pay more for good quality then these could be a great option for you.
our #1 rated
Pros
10 grams protein per bar
10 grams fiber
Plant based protein
Only 5 grams sugar
Gluten free
Organic
Non GMO
Vegan
Kosher
Excellent price
Made in the USA
Cons
Some find the consistency unfavorable
our #2 rated
Pros
10 grams protein per bar
Cricket protein
Full amino acid profile
Gluten free
Soy free
Dairy free
Grain free
Paleo friendly
Cons
High in sugar
Expensive
our #3 rated
Pros
Plant based protein
USDA organic
Gluten free
Kosher
Great taste
Non GMO
Vegan
Made in the USA
Cons
Low protein at 5 grams per bar
Contains agave nectar
our #4 rated
Pros
5 grams of protein
Plant based protein source
Gluten free
Dairy free
Handmade
Non GMO
Paleo friendly
Cons
Small bars
Expensive
our #5 rated
Pros
12 grams protein per serving
Brown rice protein
USDA certified organic
Kosher
Gluten free
Soy free
Non GMO
Vegan
Cons
Expensive
Our Choice:
For me it has to be the Glo Protein Bars from Raw Revolution. Not only are they organic and gluten free, but being vegan and kosher opens them up to a wide variety of people. Plus being made in the USA offers confidence in the quality of the product.
Best of all, they are super affordable. All in all an excellent product for anyone looking to add an organic and gluten free protein bar into their diet.
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