Six protein foods tested by The Guardian, from bars to tinned fish
Reviewers at The Guardian picked favourites after months of testing bars, powders and tinned fish. Protein content and taste were among the criteria.
Key points
- The Guardian reviewed protein bars, whey powders and tinned fish over the past year
- Six favourites were named, including bars, chickpea snacks, tuna, powder and sardines
- Barebells bars provide 20g of protein, while Fishwife tuna provides 16g per tin
- Testers found Optimum powder tasty but hard to mix in liquid
The Guardian has named six protein foods its writers say they would buy again. The list came from months of testing, and it covers bars, snacks, tinned fish and a powder. According to the paper, the selection was made after trials of 12 protein bar brands, 10 whey powders and 15 tins of fish.
The rise of GLP-1 medicines has pushed protein to the centre of health trends. Protein now appears in many everyday products, from popcorn to bottled water. The Guardian said that interest is the reason it spent the past year looking at which options are worth the money.
Protein bars and snacks
In a blind taste test run in the paper’s New York office, Barebells bars stood out. Testers said they did not feel like they were eating a protein bar at all. Each bar contains 20g of protein, which the paper described as a practical option for eating on the go.
Aloha’s plant-based bars also impressed testers in the same blind test. The Guardian said participants described the taste as close to real chocolate. Each bar contains 14g of protein from brown rice and pumpkin seeds, and the range includes peanut butter cup and banana bread flavours.
For people who avoid meat and dairy, the paper pointed to Biena crispy chickpeas. Registered dietitian Desiree Nielsen recommended them, and each bag contains 7g of protein.
Tinned fish
Reviewer writing for the paper spent a summer cooking with tins of sardines, tuna and salmon. Fishwife’s soy ginger tuna was one of the favourites. It is already seasoned with ginger and soy sauce, and it contains 16g of protein per tin.
Wild Planet sardines in olive oil also made the list. The reviewer said a tin added 17g of protein to a meal. Registered dietitian Shyla Cadogan told the paper that fish such as sardines usually contain less mercury than some other varieties. Experts still advise against eating tinned fish every day, the paper noted.
Protein powder
Testers were less positive about many protein powders. Of 10 popular options, Optimum was the clear winner. One tester said it tasted like childhood. Testers did warn that it is hard to mix into liquid, so a strong arm may be needed when preparing a shake.
Why it matters
The list reflects growing consumer interest in protein-rich food. The Guardian presented its picks as a guide for readers who want to spend money on products that taste good and offer useful amounts of protein.
Frequently asked questions
Which protein bar did The Guardian rate highly?
Barebells bars were praised in a blind taste test run in New York. Each bar contains 20g of protein. Aloha bars were also named as a favourite organic option.
Which tinned fish did the paper recommend?
Fishwife soy ginger tuna and Wild Planet sardines in olive oil were both named as favourites. Fishwife contains 16g of protein per tin, while Wild Planet sardines provide 17g.
Which protein powder was the clear winner?
Optimum Protein Powder was named the clear winner after testers tried 10 popular options. Testers said it was difficult to combine in liquid.
Sources
This article was written with the help of AI from reports by the outlets listed above. See our Editorial Policy. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.
