Built Bars And Keto: Are They Compatible?

Built Bars are marketed as keto-friendly, but are they really? With so many products on the market claiming to be keto-approved, it's important to take a closer look at the ingredients and nutritional information to determine if they align with the ketogenic diet guidelines. So, let's explore whether Built Bars are truly keto-friendly and provide some insights into their nutritional content and potential impact on ketosis.

Built Bars are low-carb, gluten-free, and packed with protein

Built Bars are a popular choice among those following a keto diet, but are they really keto-friendly?

Built Bars are a protein bar, so they are a good source of protein with 17-19g per serving. Many other protein bars contain around 15g of protein.

The bars have a short list of ingredients, which is a good sign, and contain many ingredients you would want to see in a healthy protein bar. The first ingredients are whey protein isolate and partially hydrolyzed whey protein isolate, which are two of the best healthy protein options in terms of digestibility and purity. The bars also include fats such as cocoa butter and one of the more neutral artificial sweeteners, erythritol, which won't spike your blood sugar.

However, it's important to note that Built Bars are not completely keto-friendly due to their high carb and sugar content. Each bar contains around 12g of net carbs, which is nearly half of the daily carb budget for someone on a strict keto diet. Additionally, the bars contain maltodextrin, which is a hidden carbohydrate that can impact ketosis.

So, while Built Bars are low-carb, gluten-free, and high in protein, they may not be the best choice for those following a strict keto diet due to their high carb and sugar content and the presence of maltodextrin.

They are not keto-friendly due to high carb and sugar content

Built Bars are not keto-friendly due to their high carb and sugar content. Each bar contains around 12 grams of net carbs, which is nearly half of the daily recommended intake of 20-30 grams of total net carbs while on a strict keto diet.

Furthermore, each bar contains around 4 grams of sugar and 8 grams of sugar alcohol. While on a keto diet, it is recommended to limit your daily added sugars to around 5-6 grams. Consuming large amounts of sugar can cause your blood sugar to spike, kicking your body out of ketosis.

Built Bars are also high in maltodextrin, a hidden carbohydrate that has been linked to increases in blood sugar. As a result, Built Bars are likely to have a severe impact on ketosis, and it is recommended that they be avoided entirely if you are on a keto diet.

The bars contain 4 grams of sugar and 8 grams of sugar alcohol per bar

When it comes to keto diets, it's important to watch your sugar intake. While Built Bars are popular, with only 4 grams of sugar per bar, they also contain 8 grams of sugar alcohol, which can be problematic. On a keto diet, it's recommended to limit added sugars to around 5-6 grams per day. Exceeding this can make it difficult to maintain ketosis.

Sugar alcohols are often found in sugar-free products, and while they don't raise blood sugar levels as much as regular sugar, consuming too much can lead to digestive issues. Built Bars, with their high carb content, are not a keto-friendly choice. A strict keto diet typically allows for 20-30 grams of total net carbs daily, and with around 12 net carbs per bar, Built Bars consume a significant portion of your daily allowance.

While Built Bars may seem like a convenient keto snack option, their high sugar alcohol content and carb count mean they could disrupt your ketosis. If you choose to indulge, be mindful of your carb intake for the rest of the day.

The nutritional profile of Built Bars varies depending on the flavour. For example, the Coconut Almond and Peanut Butter Brownie flavours contain 180 calories each, while other flavours have 130 calories. The bars also differ in their fat, protein, and fibre content.

It's important to remember that keto diets prioritise a higher fat-to-protein ratio. Built Bars, with their high protein content, may not align with this recommendation. Additionally, the presence of maltodextrin, a hidden carbohydrate, in Built Bars can impact ketosis.

Built Bars contain 12 net carbs per bar, which is nearly half of the daily carb budget for keto dieters

Built Bars are not keto-friendly due to their high carb and sugar content. A typical ketogenic diet recommends limiting daily added sugars to around 5-6 grams to remain in a state of ketosis. Built Bars contain 12 net carbs per bar, which is nearly half of the daily carb budget for keto dieters. This equates to around 4 grams of sugars per bar, plus an additional 8 grams of sugar alcohol.

While the bars are low in calories, gluten-free, and packed with protein, their high carb content makes them unsuitable for a ketogenic diet. However, they can be consumed in moderation, provided individuals monitor their net carb intake throughout the day.

The nutritional profile of Built Bars varies depending on the flavour. For example, the Coconut Almond and Peanut Butter Brownie flavours contain 180 calories each, while all other flavours contain 130 calories. The bars also differ in their fat, sugar, and fibre content, resulting in a range of 4-6 grams of net carbs per bar.

The high protein content of Built Bars is a positive feature, with 17-19 grams of protein per serving, which is higher than many other protein bars. However, the bars are lower in fat, which is less ideal for a keto bar as the general guideline is to aim for a higher fat-to-protein ratio.

The artificial taste and texture of Built Bars are also concerning. While they taste like a real candy bar, the combination of flavours and texture may make it challenging for individuals to stick to their keto diet.

Overall, while Built Bars are technically keto according to their ingredients list, their high carb and sugar content make them less suitable for individuals following a ketogenic diet.

There are other keto-friendly protein bar options available

• MariGold Protein Bars — These bars are ideal if you're looking for a high-protein option. They're made with just a few simple ingredients, including whey protein isolate from grass-fed cow's milk, cashews, filtered water, chicory root fibre, and grass-fed ghee. They come in a variety of flavours, including Almond Mocha Crunch, Coconut Rage, Ginger Coconut, and Salty Caramel.
• EPIC Bars — These meat-based bars are perfect if you're looking for a savoury option. They're made with just a handful of ingredients, such as grass-fed venison, beef, or chicken, sea salt, black pepper, and onion powder. While they're very low in net carbs, they're high in sodium, providing 600–750 milligrams per bar.
• Keto Bars — Founded in 2012, Keto Bars was one of the first companies to create protein bars specifically for the keto diet. Their bars are vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free, and soy-free, and come in three flavours: Chocolate Peanut Butter, Dark Chocolate Coconut Almond, and Mint Chocolate. They're sweetened with stevia and erythritol instead of added sugar.
• BHU Keto Bars — These bars have a fudgy texture and are made without any artificial sweeteners or preservatives. They're USDA organic, non-GMO verified, and contain prebiotic fibre for digestive support. They come in several flavours, including Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, White Chocolate Macadamia Cookie Dough, and Snickerdoodle Cookie Dough.
• Dang Bars — These bars are a great option if you're following a plant-based keto diet or simply prefer vegan-friendly snacks. They're made with recognisable, nutritious ingredients like nuts, pea protein, chia and sunflower seeds, and chicory root fibre. They come in a variety of flavours, including Lemon Matcha, Toasted Coconut, and Peanut Butter.
• No Cow Dipped Bars — With 11–15 grams of fibre per bar, these bars have the highest fibre content on this list. They're vegan, keto-friendly, gluten-free, soy-free, and Non-GMO Project verified. They come in a range of flavours, including Chocolate Sea Salt, Chocolate Sprinkled Donut, and Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup.
• CanDo Keto Krisp Bars — These bars offer a unique texture that's crispy yet soft and chewy. They come in both unique and classic flavours, such as Butter & Salt, Almond Butter Blackberry Jelly, and Peanut Butter Chocolate Chunk. They're gluten-free, plant-based (except for the Butter & Salt flavour), and sweetened with stevia and erythritol.
• CORE Keto Bars — These bars are made with probiotics, which may be beneficial for gut health. They're plant-based, gluten-free, non-GMO, and sweetened with allulose and monk fruit extract. They come in three flavours: Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, Dark Chocolate Sea Salt, and Peanut Butter Chocolate.
• Think! Keto Protein Bars — These bars are widely available at many grocery store chains, including Walmart. They come in dessert-like flavours, such as Chocolate Mousse Pie and Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie, and are highly rated for their taste. However, they're made with milk protein, so they're not vegan-friendly.

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