Are RX Bars Healthy? A Dietitian's Honest Review

While healthy means something different to everyone, as a dietitian answering the question are RX Bars healthy, the short answer is yes.

RX Bars are a nutritious bar made with whole food ingredients and contain no artificial flavors or preservatives. Nutritionally, they are a good balance of complete protein, carbohydrates, and healthy fats and have no added sugar. They are also higher in fiber and contain less saturated fat and sodium than many other protein bars on the market.

This article shares everything you need to know about the nutrition facts of RX Bars and the ingredients so that you can feel empowered to decide whether they are the right protein bar for you. Don't miss the charts that include the nutrition facts and ingredients for each flavor.

Jump to:

• What are RX Protein Bars? 
• Where did RX Bars Originate?
• Are RX Bars Healthy?
• RXBar Nutrition Information
• RX Bar Nutrition Facts by Flavor
• RX Bar Ingredients 
• RX Bar Ingredients by Flavor
• Are RX Bars Gluten-Free?
• Are RX Bars Vegan?
• Are RX Bars Whole30?
• What do RX Bars Taste Like?
• RX Bar Flavors
• Where to buy RX Bars
• In conclusion
• Looking for More Nutrition Education?
• Check Out These Nourishing Recipes
• 💬 Comments

What are RX Protein Bars? 

If you’ve made a commitment to healthy eating, it can be hard to know which brands and products can help you meet your goals. In general, I recommend eating mostly whole foods. But let's be real. For many people it just isn’t feasible to eat whole foods 100% of the time.

With so many protein bar options on the market, it can be a difficult aisle of the store to navigate. Not to mention, protein bars can be expensive. The last thing you want is to take one bite and realize it tastes like cardboard!

Enter RX Bars. They may taste like a candy bar, but they are made with nutritious ingredients, have no added sugars, and contain a healthy amount of fats and protein. 

They come in several flavors and you may recognize them for having their main ingredients listed on the front packaging. As a company, RXBAR is committed to quality, taste, and transparency. 

RX Bars are a great option for when you are looking for a convenient nutrient-dense snack that you can keep in your desk drawer or throw in your purse or gym bag for on-the-go. In fact, I often eat them myself when hunger striks.

Where did RX Bars Originate?

RX Bars were created in 2012 by two best friends who wanted a healthier protein bar with whole food ingredients for snacking. When they couldn’t find what they were looking for in the grocery store, they decided to make their own!

Like any good start-up story, the two had a vision backed up with passion, and plenty of nay-sayers and critics. They started the company in their own kitchens creating the first label in PowerPoint.

Fast forward and RX Bars are one of the most popular protein bars on the market. You can find them at most grocery stores and on Amazon, and they launch new flavors and products to add to their large portfolio of products regularly.

Are RX Bars Healthy?

The short answer is yes, RX Bars are a nutritious choice that can be part of an overall healthy eating pattern. While they are not a low calorie food, they are nutrient-dense. 

The longer answer is that it depends on your health goals.

Being aware of the nutrition and ingredients in a product can help you make the choice for yourself as to whether it's a good fit for your health goals. I am sharing the nutrition and ingredients for each flavor throughout this article so you can make that decision.

RXBar Nutrition Information

Below are the RX Bar Nutrition Facts for the the Vanilla Almond Flavor (one of my personal favorites). If you are interested in seeing the nutrition for all flavors, check out the chart included at the bottom of this section.

Nutrition facts for RX Bars

Vanilla Almond Flavor, 1 bar (52 grams)

• 190 calories
• 6 g fat
• 1 g of saturated fat
• 25 g carbs
• 4 g fiber
• 17 g sugar (includes 0 grams of added sugar)
• 12 g protein
• 4% of the daily value for Calcium
• 6% of the daily value for Iron
• 8% of the daily value for Potassium

Calories in RX Bars

RX Bars have 190-210 calories per bar. My general recommendation as a dietitian is to keep snacks at 150-300 calories. The recommended amount of calories per snack varies depending on what you eat at meals, your size, activity level, gender and age.

Coming in at around 200 calories, RX Bars are a good snack choice for many people. They are especially good for when you have a longer period of time between meals and need a balanced option to hold you over.

Carbohydrate in RX Bars 

There are 22-25 grams of carb per serving in RX Bars. Carbohydrates are a great source of energy and RX Bars are perfect for a pre-workout snack. Enjoy one before a bike ride or training run for a half marathon.

Do RX Bars have Added Sugar?

While RX bars do contain a sugar content of around 19 grams of sugar per bar, these are natural sugars from dates. There is no added sugar.

Dates are quick carbs that increase glucose levels faster than complex carbs like whole grains or gluten free oats. Dates also provide fiber and plant nutrients called polyphenols in addition to the natural sugar they contain. 

How much fiber is in RX Bars?

RX Bars contain between 3-6 grams of dietary fiber. That’s as much fiber as about 5 cups of spinach or 1 cup of oats! High fiber diets support gut health and hormone health and can help regulate blood sugar levels. 

Protein Content in RX Bars

In general, I recommend looking for protein bars that contain a minimum of 10 grams of protein. RX Protein Bars are a great choice since they contain 12 grams of protein per bar. The source of high protein in RX bars is from egg whites, a complete protein.

Fat Content in RX Bars 

RX Bars contain 9 grams of fat, most of which is healthy fat from nuts and nut butter. Nuts contain monounsaturated fats and polyunsaturated fats that have important health benefits. For example, nuts have been shown to support brain health and heart health. 

Saturated fat in RX Bars

Saturated fat and sodium are both important to look at when considering the healthfulness of a product. They are dietary contributors to heart disease and other chronic illnesses. RX Bars have between 0-2.5 g saturated fat depending on the flavor.

When compared to the average protein bar or nutrition bars on the market, the saturated fat level in RX Bars is relatively low. The Chocolate Sea Salt is the lowest in saturated fat at 0 grams and most flavors only have 1 gram of saturated fat. Try to limit saturated fats in your diet.

Sodium in RX Bars

The sodium in an RX Bar ranges anywhere from 130-320 mg of sodium with the Peanut Butter Chocolate being slightly salted and the highest in sodium and the Banana Chocolate Walnut being the lowest.

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends eating less than 2300 mg of sodium per day. At 320 mg the Peanut Butter Chocolate is only 14% of your daily value of sodium. 

If you are an athlete, you need more sodium, whereas if you have hypertension you may be limiting your sodium intake. This is a perfect example of how complex healthy eating can be and how important it is that you take your own dietary needs into account.

Other nutrients in RX Bars 

RX Bars also contain calcium, iron, and potassium. 

RX Bar Nutrition Facts by Flavor

The nutrition facts for each flavor is very similar, but there are slight differences. Below is a comparison chart of the nutrition in the different RX bar flavors so that you can see them side by side.

Flavor	Calories	Total Fat (g)	Sat Fat (g)	Trans Fat (g)	Cholesterol (mg)	Sodium (mg)	Carbs (g)	Fiber (g)	Total Sugar (g)	Added Sugar (g)	Protein (g)	Calcium (% daily value)	Iron (% daily value)	Potassium (% daily value)
Chocolate Chip	210	8	1.5	0	0	210	23	3	18	0	12	4	8	8
Vanilla Almond	190	6	1	0	0	190	24	5	17	0	12	4	6	8
Chocolate Sea Salt	200	8	0	0	0	190	23	5	14	0	12	2	10	8
Mixed Berry	210	7	1	0	0	140	24	5	15	0	12	4	6	10
Banana Chocolate Walnut	210	9	2	0	0	130	25	3	17	0	12	4	10	10
Blueberry	180	6	1	0	0	150	24	6	15	0	12	4	6	8
Peanut Butter	190	7	1	0	0	300	24	4	17	0	12	2	2	8
Peanut Butter Chocolate	200	9	2.5	0	0	320	22	5	15	0	12	2	8	8
Coconut Chocolate	210	9	2	0	0	170	23	5	13	0	12	4	10	10
Strawberry	190	7	1	0	5	140	24	6	14	0	12	2	8	8
Mint Chocolate	210	9	2	0	0	210	23	5	13	0	12	4	10	10

RX Bar Ingredients 

The ingredient list for RX Bars reveals that the bars are made with simple ingredients that are whole foods. The ingredients vary slightly by flavor, but they all contain dates, egg whites, various kinds of nuts, and natural flavorings.

Below is a bit more information about the main natural ingredients in RX Bars followed by a chart of the ingredients in each flavor.

Dates

Dates give RX Bars their sweet taste and chewy consistency. They have been called nature’s candy for good reason because of their natural sugar content. Believe it or not, dates come from a type of palm tree and can be eaten directly off the tree.

Since the dates add so much sweetness from natural sugars, there are no artificial sweeteners or sugar alcohols in RX Bars. Dates also add fiber, copper, magnesium, and potassium.

Egg Whites

Egg whites are used in RX Bars as a protein source. Egg whites are a complete protein which means they contain all 9 essential amino acids. 

Nuts

The majority of RX Bars have a combination of almonds and cashews. Some have peanuts or walnuts, too. Almonds and cashews are both sources of heart healthy fats, fiber, and plant-protein.

Nuts are also rich in magnesium and antioxidants and have been shown to be good for brain health and hormone health.

Natural Flavorings

According to the company’s website, they do not use artificial flavors in their bars. Instead, the flavorings come from natural sources including spices, fruits, or plants. Further, the website states there are no artificial preservatives, added colors, animal products, synthetics, or GMOs.

RX Bar Ingredients by Flavor

Flavor	Ingredients
Chocolate Chip	Dates, egg whites, raw almonds, cashews, chocolate, natural flavors, sea salt
Vanilla Almond	Dates, Egg Whites, Almonds, Cashews, Vanilla Bean, Natural Flavors, Sea Salt
Chocolate Sea Salt	Dates, Egg Whites, Cashews, Almonds, Chocolate, Cocoa, Natural Flavors, Sea Salt
Mixed Berry	Dates, Egg Whites, Whole Almonds, Cashews, Cranberries, Strawberries, Raspberries, Natural Flavors
Banana Chocolate Walnut	Dates, Egg Whites, Cashews, Walnuts, Bananas, Chocolate, Cinnamon, Natural Flavors
Blueberry	Dates, Egg Whites, Almonds, Cashews, Blueberries, Natural Flavors
Peanut Butter	Dates, Peanuts, Egg Whites, Peanut Flour (peanuts), Sea Salt, Natural Flavors
Peanut Butter Chocolate	Dates, Peanuts, Egg Whites, Chocolate, Peanut Flour (peanuts), natural flavors, sea salt, cocoa
Coconut Chocolate	Dates, Egg Whites, Almonds, Cashews, Chocolate, Natural Flavors, Sea Salt, Coconut
Strawberry	Dates, Egg Whites, Almonds, Cashews, Strawberries, Natural Flavors
Mint Chocolate	Dates, Egg Whites, Cashews, Almonds, Chocolate, Cocoa, Mint, Natural Flavors, Sea Salt

Are RX Bars Gluten-Free?

RX Bars are gluten-free, but their packaging states that they are made in a facility that also processes wheat. Cross-contamination risk is something to be aware of if you have a gluten allergy. 

Are RX Bars Vegan?

No. The source of protein in RX Bars is eggs so they are not a vegan protein bar and do not contain plant based protein.

Are RX Bars Whole30?

According to RX Bar, all of their products are Whole30 with the exception of a few flavors including their Peanut Butter, Peanut Butter Chocolate, and Maple Sea Salt Flavors. 

What do RX Bars Taste Like?

In terms of taste, RX Bars have a decadent, chewy texture and sweet nutty, slightly salty taste. I personally like them, but some would say they are too chewy or sticky. If you like the texture of dates, chances are you will like the taste of RX Bars. They don’t have a protein powder texture or taste because since protein source is egg whites. If you prefer a crunchy granola bars, these might not be for you.

A couple of bonus pro tips from years of experience eating RX Bars: 

• When selecting your RX Bar at the grocery store, feel how soft the bar is in the wrapper and pick the one that is a bit softer because it will be the freshest of the batch.
• Unwrap it pop it in the microwave for about 5-10 seconds to soften it a bit.

RX Bar Flavors

There are several different flavors of RX bars. Below are my favorite flavors ranked from my favorite to my least favorite. This is simply my preference for those who are curious.

1. Chocolate Chip
2. Vanilla Almond
3. Coconut Chocolate
4. Chocolate Sea Salt
5. Banana Chocolate Walnut
6. Mixed Berry
7. Peanut Butter Chocolate
8. Blueberry
9. Mint Chocolate
10. Peanut Butter
11. Strawberry

Where to buy RX Bars

You can buy RX Bars directly from their website. They can also be found on Amazon and in several grocery stores including H-E-B, Sprouts, Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, Kroger, Randall’s, and more. There is a store locator on their website so you can locate where they are sold in your area. 

In addition to their original protein bars, RXBAR now also makes A.M. bars that are made with oats and sweetened with honey. They also sell RX Nut Butters including vanilla almond butter, coconut almond butter, and chocolate peanut butter. 

In conclusion

RX Bars can be a part of a healthy eating pattern. They are a good balance of protein, carbohydrates, and fats and are made with natural ingredients. I hope that you found the nutrition facts chart and ingredient chart in this article helpful!  

References: FDA, Cleveland Clinic, RXBar.com

I hope you enjoyed this article and learned something new! I would love to hear from you if so. Please leave me a comment below or find me on Instagram....I LOVE knowing there’s people out there reading my articles. 🙂 IG: @mallorythedietitian.

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