The good news is that, as protein supplements continue to balloon in popularity, there are a plethora of bars, brownies and biscuits to help you get your fix. The best bit? Unlike the first ones to hit the shelves, many of them genuinely taste great, too. Protein is responsible for a host of activities in the body. 'It plays a key role in everything from hormone production and brain function to a healthy immune system,' says qualified running coach and EvolveYou trainer Melissa Kendter. It also plays a key role in cell repair.

The “nougat” layer very much resembles that of a very standard protein bar, but the layers that sit on top of it transform this protein bar into something insanely good. In the first 30 to 60 minutes after intense exercise, the body is primed to use protein and carbs for muscle recovery and rebuilding,' says Kendter. The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends that the average adult consumes at least 0.8g of protein per kg of bodyweight per day.Considering this bar is salted caramel, you’d hope that the interior would feature a nice caramel layer, right? As you can see in the photo, there is a slight caramel layer, but I can’t really call that caramel. Fulfil most recently released their triple chocolate flavor, and I was really excited to give this one a try. The major difference between these bars and Barebells protein bars is that when it comes to Barebells, I haven’t had a flavor I do not like. With Fulfil bars, I loved 3 of the flavors, but the other 2 would not be bars I’d be running out to buy.

Protein bars are also a handy on-the-go option, especially when it’s not possible to eat a protein-rich meal. Just remember that no supplement can replace a healthy diet. How we test

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The interior is soft and fluffy, and the crispies on the outside add a great crunch to the bar, making this eat very much like a candy bar. The flavor of the bar reminds me of a really delicious milk chocolate, which is a nice change of pace from most bars that tend to taste more like bitter dark chocolate. I prefer milk chocolate because I have a big sweet tooth, and the flavor of this bar reminds me a bit of those chocolate bunnies you get around Easter. Supplementing protein shouldn’t just be a priority for weightlifters, runners should consider it too. It’s rare that I bite into a protein bar and immediately know that I love it, but that’s exactly what happened here.

The exterior of this bar is loaded up with crispy puffed rice, leading me to believe that this bar is going to have an amazing Crunch Bar-like texture. Looking at the exterior, I fully expected this bar to be yet another dense & chewy protein bar (what we like to call “Quest bar chewy”) so I was pleasantly surprised by the interior of the bar. If Fulfil rebranded this bar and named it “Nougaty Crunch Bar” or something similar, I’d absolutely love it. During exercise, there is an increase in the breakdown of protein in the muscle, and so it's important to include enough protein foods in your diet to counteract a negative protein balance.

Fulfil bars remind me a ton of Barebells protein bars, so if you like those bars (Trader Joe’s also carries them), then you’ll likely enjoy Fulfil bars too. If Fulfil could find a way to make these protein bars softer, like Barebells, they’d be one of the best protein bars out because the flavor is awesome. Look out for our esteemed Sports Nutritions Awards badge below, as products with this insignia have been deemed our worthy winners for 2022. The remaining products on this list have also earned the Runner's World Lab seal of approval. I’d have loved there to be an actual caramel layer in this bar, not just for the texture, but for the actual caramel flavor as well.

In terms of flavor, I really don’t get any caramel taste, and definitely not the salted aspect. I love the combination of salty & sweet in salted caramel flavor, but those flavors don’t come through in this bar. Protein bars were judged on their taste, texture, aroma, nutritional value, ease of use and, most importantly, their impact on running performance. There’s a saltiness to the bar that also compliments it perfectly because chocolate and salt go hand-in-hand. There's no wrong time to eat a protein bar, but you’ll reap the most rewards from munching yours post run, especially if it’s also high in carbs.When I opened up this chocolate salted caramel protein bar, it immediately reminded me of Barebells“Creamy Crisp” protein bar (which I absolutely love). With all of that being said, I actually really enjoyed this bar. If it weren’t for the fact that this is supposed to taste like salted caramel, this one would be a real winner for me. The best protein bars contain sufficient ‘complete protein’ – protein containing all the essential amino acids that the body can’t make on its own. Look for a bar made with simple, nutrient-dense ingredients that you can recognise,' says Kendter. 'Steer clear of those with lots of artificial sweeteners and preservatives, as these could aggravate the gut.' Should I eat a protein bar before or after a run?