THE CARNIVORE DIET BENEFITS
What do you reach for when you’re looking for quick, protein-packed nutrition on the go? For so many people, it’s a protein bar. But protein bars might not align with your goals, whether you’re following a strict carnivore meal plan or want something more exciting and filled with flavor.
Don’t worry, there are plenty of protein bar alternatives worth exploring - and we’ve put together this guide to help you figure out what to eat instead of protein bars! From classics like boiled eggs and jerky to staples like deli meat and nuts, there are so many healthy alternatives to protein bars worth adding to your snack arsenal.
But the absolute best protein bar replacement is only a click away at Carnivore Snax. Our meat chips are a match made in heaven for anyone who craves the ultimate balance of carnivore-based nutrition and delicious, melt-in-your-mouth flavor.
They’re made from just two ingredients, meat and salt. Yet, they’re often referred to as a meat pastry! You’ll have to taste them yourself to see why that is. Order your carnivore chips today and spoil yourself with the best protein bar alternatives in the world!
“Try a bag you won't be disappointed. Like many people I thought this was just a beef jerky, but I was so wrong. The crunch and flavor of the dry meat with the fat, and only 2 ingredients - it’s an amazing experience.” - Pawlo
“This may be one of the greatest things I've ever eaten in my life. It actually pisses me off how often I go through this stuff. I also like to serve a few strips to friends when they come over for breakfast with eggs. Friends are like, mind blown. I hate to share this treat. It's why I keep my obsession on the down low.” - Ashira
“This is a MUST for me. I am an athlete and I travel a lot for work. You can't get anything better to fuel you while also feeling satisfied. This is a staple food item in my bag, car, office, home. I always travel with a bag and I always eat the Ribeye.” - Jackie
The Problem With Protein Bars
Don’t get us wrong, protein bars have their place. They’re quick, portable, and pack a decent amount of protein into a convenient package. Seems like the perfect fit for busy days, long workouts, or travel.
But there’s a reason you’re here looking for a healthy alternative to protein bars. It could be the nutritional shortcomings or the flavor flaws. Whatever the case, you deserve better protein bar alternatives.
Even the “Clean” Ones Are Heavily Processed
Walk down any supplement aisle and you’ll see words like “natural,” “organic,” and “clean” plastered across protein bar wrappers. Unfortunately, you’ll quickly discover that even bars with short ingredient lists often go through multiple stages of processing.
Ingredients like protein isolates, chicory root fiber, erythritol, and “natural flavors” aren’t foods you’d find in nature, so why would want to put them in your body if you’re passionate about clean eating?
These manufacturing byproducts are designed to mimic something healthier, but your body knows the difference - and now, you do too. Protein bars are an absolute non-starter if you’re following any sort of ancestral eating regimen (unless it’s a carnivore bar, and even then…).
High Protein, Low Nutrition
Just because a bar has 20 grams of protein doesn’t mean it’s giving you what you need. Protein is just one piece of the nutritional puzzle, after all. You’re getting very little micronutrients, which come from real food.
Like protein powder, protein bars are rarely sourced from whole food protein sources. They’re lab-made protein, and again, your body knows the difference!
Real food offers so much more: vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and co-factors that your body needs to actually use that protein properly. Don’t settle for less.
Sugar Bombs in Disguise
Here’s the ugly truth about protein bars: a lot of “healthy” bars are basically just functional candy. Whether it’s cane sugar, honey, agave, or sugar alcohols like maltitol and sorbitol, they spike your blood sugar or upset your stomach (maybe both).
Even bars that claim to be low-sugar or sugar-free will compensate with questionable synthetic sweeteners that leave a strange aftertaste. Who knows what those filler ingredients are actually doing in your body?
Boring Taste and Texture
Let’s be honest: protein bars are notoriously bland. They often resemble chalky cardboard covered in fake chocolate. The texture is either weirdly gummy or so dry you need a glass of water just to finish a bite.
Even if you do find one you can tolerate, it gets old eating the same thing day in and day out. There’s nothing wrong with a protein bar here and there when you’re in a pinch, but you need some variety in your life. That said, let’s get into what to eat instead of protein bars below!
What’s a Healthy Alternative to Protein Bars? Top 10 Protein Bar Alternatives When Cravings Strike
While protein bars will always have a place for fast nutrition on the go when you’re at a gas station with limited options, you shouldn’t look at them as a staple in your diet - especially if you’re trying to abide by the carnivore diet rules.
The good news is there’s a laundry list of options for healthy protein bar alternatives, with something for every taste preference and nutritional regimen. That said, what is the best alternative to protein bars? Look no further than Carnivore Snax.
Carnivore Snax Meat Chips
Our meat chips redefine what a snack can be, bringing you the best of both worlds: whole-food nutrition that serves your body and mind while satisfying your cravings, one bite at a time.
We source from the most elite, ethical regenerative farms in the nation so you can feel good about indulging in Carnivore Snax. They have just two ingredients, meat and Redmond Real Salt, for a real-food experience without compromise.
Each 5‑oz bag starts with a full pound of steak (ribeye, brisket, lamb, pork, etc.), dehydrated into light, airy chips that melt on your tongue. Texture meets flavor. They’re crispy yet buttery with visible fat for satiety and satisfying crunch.
But unlike protein bars, which are packed with isolates, sweeteners, and fillers, these chips offer pure nourishment and clean energy. They’re shelf-stable and great for keeping at home, in your desk, in your gym bag, or for a trip. There are plenty of varieties to choose from, too, so you never get bored. Here are a few of our personal favorites:
This isn’t just better than protein bars - it obliterates them. No sugar crashes, gut irritation, or mystery ingredients. Every bite is intentional, rewarding, and fully aligned with your health goals. Join over 100,000 happy customers and counting by ordering yours today!
Jerky or Biltong
Maybe you don’t have time to wait for delivery of Carnivore Snax, but still want to know what to eat instead of protein bars. It’s not even close to as good as our meat chips, but jerky and biltong are two other protein bar alternatives you can consider.
You get high protein and portability, and these can fit into your diet when they’re made with just meat and salt. Unfortunately, that’s rarely the case - which is why Carnivore Snax is also the best beef jerky alternative.
Still, biltong and beef jerky are readily accessible at your local supermarket or any gas station you come across. They have a familiar flavor and texture that many people love, but others find too chewy to truly enjoy.
Even “natural” beef jerky often contains sugar or soy sauce, which undercuts your nutrition. Biltong can be less processed but may still include vinegar or spices that trigger sensitivities or cravings. A better healthy alternative to protein bars is to make your own jerky/biltong at home!
Boiled Eggs
Hard‑ or soft‑boiled eggs are a carnivore classic, and they can fit into vegetarian diets as well! They provide complete protein, healthy fats, and essential vitamins like choline and B12, all in a low-key, easy food that hits the hunger spot.
The only issue is eggs lack that satisfying crunch or chew, and they don’t travel well unless they’re peeled and eaten quickly. There’s also the smell, which not everyone loves.
Still, they’re far more nutrient-dense than any processed snack could ever be, so they’re great protein bar alternatives. You’ll just have to accept that they’re a means to an end, not something you’ll look forward to snacking on like Carnivore Snax.
Protein Powder
The most obvious healthy alternative to protein bars is protein powder. Mixing collagen or whey protein powder with water is super easy when you’re chilling at home and need a quick hit of nutrition.
There are usually fewer processed ingredients in powdered protein than bars, too - but of course, you’ll need to do your due diligence as that’s not always the case. Dextrose and other sugar substitutes are common.
It’s also worth noting that protein powder won’t deliver the same satiety as whole foods since it’s usually just pure protein. You can overcome this by making your protein shakes with peanut butter, yogurt, or milk, but then you’re adding more steps, not exactly practical for on-the-go.
Greek Yogurt
We get asked all the time, can you have yogurt on carnivore diet? In some cases, yes! It’s technically dairy, which is animal-based. The problem is, most yogurts are heavily processed with plant-based ingredients and other nasties.
Plain, full-fat greek yogurt is usually an exception carnivores are willing to make, though. You get 15-20g of protein and a creamy mouthfeel. It’s a solid alternative to protein bars when unsweetened and minimally processed.
That said, it still contains dairy carbs (lactose), may lead to indigestion or inflammation for sensitive folks, and doesn’t fully align with stricter protocols. It also spoils quickly, so it’s less travel-friendly than some of the other protein bar alternatives on this list.
Edamame
Looking for a healthy, plant-based alternative to protein bars? Consider edamame! This is just shelled soybeans, and it’s packed with protein. Edamame is gluten-free, too.
You get plenty of fiber and complex nutrients, and they’re not processed whatsoever. The only issue is that edamame isn’t found on any approved carnivore diet food list, so it’s ruled out if you’re on that regimen.
Nut Mixes
Raw or lightly salted nuts (like macadamia, almonds, or walnuts) are loaded with healthy fats and protein. In fact, we’d go as far as to say they’re among the best high-fat low-carb snacks! But can you eat nuts on carnivore diet?
Unfortunately, nuts bring plant phytic acid and lectins, and they’re calorie-dense - in other words, easy to overeat. They're not animal-based, so they don’t align with a strict carnivore approach and can fall short of what you need if you’re running any sort of elimination protocol.
Nut Butter
If raw nuts don’t do it for you, consider nut butter! From almond to peanut butter, these snacks are a classic choice for spreading over bread or even just dipping a spoon into and eating plain.
But if nut mixes don’t cut if your protein bar alternatives, there’s a good chance nut butter won’t for the same reasons - be it avoiding plant-based foods or because they contain carbohydrates.
It’s also worth noting that commercial nut butters are laden with sugar, oils, and preservatives - and that sticky texture isn’t for everyone. Still, this is something worth considering for what to eat instead of protein bars if you’re at home and aren’t on an exclusionary diet.
Deli Meats
From turkey to ham, roast beef, bologna, and more, deli meats seme like a logical alternative to protein bars. These make great high-protein low-calorie snacks since they’re basically pure protein with minimal fat and zero carbs.
However, there’s a reason we wrote a similar guide to help users find better alternatives to deli meat. Most contain fillers, sodium nitrite, and often sugar or MSG.
Now, deli meats can work if you choose nitrate-free, sugar-free, pasture-raised options - but this is easier said than done. You’re always going to end up with something processed at the end of the day, so we recommend you stick with the best meat for carnivore diet instead.
Hummus
Last but not least on our list of protein bar alternatives is one more plant-based option for the vegans reading along. Chickpea hummus is creamy and satisfying, with a bit of protein to encourage satiety and meet your nutritional goals.
Like many of our recommendations for what to eat instead of protein bars, though, hummus is not going to align with the carnivore diet standards - and a lot of our readers live the carnivore lifestyle, so hummus may be a non-starter.
It’s better than candy bars, sure - but there are too many other great carnivore diet desserts to choose from to settle for this one if you’re after clean, animal-based nutrition.
Parting Thoughts on What to Eat Instead of Protein Bars
Protein bars may be convenient, but even carnivore protein bars miss the mark - they’re often ultra-processed, loaded with sugar, and leave you hungry again in no time.
Fortunately, there are plenty of protein bar alternatives to add to your arsenal, starting with our meat chips here at Carnivore Snax. Real food alternatives offer more satisfaction, better ingredients, and fewer regrets.
So, why settle for less than the best alternative to protein bars? Stock your pantry with Carnivore Snax now and see for yourself what keeps customers coming back for more!
