People ask me all the time what protein bars I recommend, or they tell me they've been eating a certain protein bar, thinking they are impressing me with their "healthy" eating. I always feel stuck when this happens. If only there was an awesome recipe for DIY Protein Bars ...
I have problems with protein bars, a.k.a glorified candy bars:
- It's processed, unhealthy junk food
- Some contain funky chemicals
- Many contain soy
- Many contain dairy
- Many contain peanuts
- Almost all contain at least 1 or multiple lectins; a type of protein that will suck your energy, make you weak, fat and destroy your gut, which is the root of most disease.¹, ², ³
- Probably 99% of vegan bars use some combination of pea and soy protein
- Some are a sugar oasis
- Most are too expensive
There's a better way:
I've created my own protein bars that you can make in just 10 minutes at home, I skip the added protein though so I just call them Nut Butter Bars. I always go light on protein because I am of the opinion that we're protein-aholics nowadays, and there is substantial evidence in numerous studies that point to too much protein causing coronary heart disease, cancer, and shortening of the lifespan⁴, but we'll talk about this in a separate post later on.
I like to make a bunch of different varieties of this bar, but for now I'll just reveal two of them.
1. Chocolate Banana Almond Butter Bar
- 1 cup of raw organic almonds
- Himalayan pink salt, to taste (I do 5 full cracks)
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 tbsp avocado oil OR 1 tbsp avocado oil + 2 tbsp Brain Octane Oil
- Cinnamon, to taste
- 1/2 green (lower sugar content, higher resistant starch) banana
- Shredded coconut, to taste
- 1 tbsp hemp seeds
- 2 tbsp mold toxin free cacao powder
- 1/4 soy-free 85% cacao chocolate bar
- 1/4 cup organic full fat coconut milk1-2 tbsp Swerve
Yields 6-9 medium bars
2. Candied Pecan Butter Bar
- 1 cup of organic pecans
- Himalayan pink salt, to taste
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 tbsp avocado oil OR 1 tbsp avocado oil + 2 tbsp Brain Octane Oil
- Cinnamon, to taste
- Shredded coconut, to taste
- 2 tbsp flax seeds
- 1/4 cup organic full fat coconut milk
- 2 tbsp SwerveYields 6-9 medium bars
*As with many of my recipes, feel free to get creative! Try making different versions of these bars with macadamia nuts, pistachios, walnuts, and hazelnuts. If you must, add a bit of hemp protein to keep these bars vegan, or some collagen protein if veganism is not an issue.
How to make the bars
- Place the nuts in your food processor
- Chop for 1 minute
- Add all other ingredients, Chop until blended (another minute)
- Place in snack bar mold (I use this one)
- If the texture is too liquid, then freeze for 2 hours (shouldn't be an issue)
*Keep bars refrigeratedIf you enjoyed this or found this particularly helpful, then subscribe for more, share with friends and family (it means the world when you share!), and connect with me on social media!To maximizing health,Jordan Paris, NASM CPT
