Buzz
Protein bars claim to boost muscle growth, energize you, and even replace meals. But some might just be candy bars dressed up as health snacks. Let’s take a closer look at how two of the top contenders, Quest Bars and Clif Builder’s Bars, compare in this ultimate showdown.
The Competitors
When you walk through the aisles of your local grocery store, supplement shop, or even gas station, you’ll likely find these two protein bar brands side by side, ready for comparison:
Quest Bars: Produced by Quest Nutrition since 2010, these bars come in 21 delicious flavors like Lemon Cream Pie, PB & J, Apple Pie, and Cookies & Cream. Each bar offers 20g of protein, and a box of 12 retails for $24.99.
Clif Builder’s Bars: Manufactured by Clif, the same company behind the famous Clif and Luna bars, Builder’s Bars are available in seven tasty flavors including Crunchy Peanut Butter, Chocolate Hazelnut, and Vanilla Almond. Each bar contains 20g of protein, and a box of 12 is priced at $21.50.
Both bars taste fairly good and provide an equal amount of protein, but there's a lot more that distinguishes them from each other. Let's dive deeper and explore the key differences between these two options.
Both Provide Protein, but Quest Bars Offer Greater Flexibility
When choosing a protein bar, the most crucial factor is its contents, particularly the nutritional value. Both Quest and Clif Builder’s bars provide 20g of protein, which is impressive given their small serving size. However, one bar alone doesn’t meet your recommended dietary allowance (RDA), nor does it come close to the 0.36 grams of protein per pound of body weight
No one is suggesting you eat six protein bars a day—please don't. However, to make an informed choice, it's important to understand that the protein content in a bar isn’t necessarily the most critical factor when shopping. Don’t just focus on the big “20g OF PROTEIN!” on the packaging and assume it’s automatically better than another bar with slightly less protein. Ultimately, you’ll be getting protein from whichever bar you choose, and most protein bars, even those that claim otherwise, aren’t meant to replace a full meal. What truly matters is everything else in the bar.
Now, let's compare how the nutritional facts for a single serving of Quest and Clif Builder’s bars measure up to one another:
Protein: 20g / 20g
Fat: 7g (1g saturated) / 9g (6g saturated)
Total Carbohydrates: 23g / 29g
Fiber: 14g / 4g (2g dietary, 2g insoluble)
Sugar: 1g / 22g
Calories: 170 (60 from fat) / 270 (80 from fat)
Keep in mind that the nutritional values can slightly change depending on the flavor of the bar. Also, Quest Bars contain 5g of Erythritol, a sugar alcohol approved by the FDA, which is listed separately. But from the label alone, Quest Bars seem to offer a more balanced profile compared to Clif Builder’s Bars. They contain less saturated fat, fewer carbs, more fiber, less sugar, fewer calories, and still provide the same 20g of protein. This makes them a more convenient option to fit into your diet when you’re training or aiming for weight loss. They also serve as a great snack to get a protein boost between meals. While Clif Builder’s Bars aren’t inherently “unhealthy,” nutritional values are key when incorporating supplements into your diet.
Quest Bars Have Fewer Ingredients, but Clif Builder’s Bars Are (Mostly) Organic and Vegan-Friendly
It's also important to consider the source of a bar’s protein, as well as what gives it that distinct flavor of a cinnamon roll, cookie, or cheesecake.
For instance, Quest Bars contain:
Protein Blend (Milk Protein Isolate, Whey Protein Isolate), Soluble Corn Fiber (Prebiotic Fiber), Almonds, Water, Erythritol, Natural Flavors, Palm Oil, Sea Salt, Cinnamon, Calcium Carbonate, Steviol Glycosides (Stevia).
For a processed nutrition bar, Quest Bars are surprisingly simple in terms of ingredients. They’re gluten-free, and the proteins used are the same byproducts from cheesemaking commonly found in most protein shakes. The soluble corn fiber, which Quest claims helps lower your net carb intake to just 4g, is derived from enzymatically hydrolyzed corn starch and is frequently used in a wide range of other food products.
In contrast, Clif Builder’s Bars contain:
Soy Protein Isolate, Beet Juice Concentrate, Organic Brown Rice Syrup, Organic Dried Cane Syrup, Palm Kernel Oil, Cocoa, Vegetable Glycerin, Unsweetened Chocolate, Organic Soy Protein Concentrate, Organic Sunflower Oil, Natural Flavors, Organic Almonds, Rice Starch, Dried Cane Syrup, Organic Oat Fiber, Cocoa Butter, Soy Lecithin, Inulin (Chicory Extract), Calcium Carbonate, Sea Salt, Organic Vanilla Extract, Beet Powder (for Color).
Builder’s Bars contain more than double the number of ingredients compared to Quest Bars, which may raise some concerns for certain individuals. However, more ingredients don’t necessarily make it worse for you, even if some are highly processed. In fact, Clif mainly uses organic ingredients, with 70% of the ingredients they source being certified organic. While Builder’s Bars aren’t gluten-free, their protein is derived from soy, making most of the flavors suitable for vegans. On the other hand, none of the Quest Bar flavors are vegan-friendly due to their protein source.
Clif Builder’s Bars Are Cheaper, but Quest Has More Flavors
If Quest Bars are catching your interest, you might want to brace yourself for the price. Depending on where you buy them, they can cost almost double compared to Clif Builder’s Bars. A single serving of Quest Bar weighs 60 grams and offers protein-packed goodness for $2 to $3 each. In contrast, Clif Builder’s Bars weigh in at 68 grams for $1 to $2 per bar.
The most cost-effective choice is undoubtedly buying in bulk. But if you’re just grabbing protein bars occasionally from a store or your gym's café, both options can be a bit expensive, especially Quest Bars. If you're on a tight budget, Clif Builder’s Bars are the more economical pick. That said, Quest stands out with three times as many flavor varieties as Clif Builder’s Bars. If variety is what you crave, Quest is likely to offer a flavor that hits the spot.
The Verdict: Quest Bars Won’t Ruin Your Diet, but Clif Builder’s Bars Won’t Ruin Your Wallet
Nutritionally, Quest Bars are a bit more efficient. With fewer calories, less sugar, and a higher fiber content, you can easily fit a post-workout bar or two into your day without any concerns. The extra sugar and calories in Clif Builder’s Bars aren’t necessarily harmful, but they’re not the ideal choice when you have better options available.
That being said, if you're vegan or looking for a protein supplement without breaking the bank, Clif Builder’s Bars are a solid choice. Ultimately, it all comes down to which one you enjoy more. Personally, I prefer the taste and texture of Quest Bars, but if you find Builder’s Bars more to your liking (they're crunchier), then go for those. There's no reason to force yourself to eat something you don't enjoy just because the nutritional numbers are slightly different. If you're unsure where to start, I’d suggest trying the cinnamon roll Quest Bar and the chocolate mint Builder’s Bar.
