These is the “healthy” MDA food in 2025 that could actually work against your goals
It turns out that your post-workout snack might not be for the best.
It’s a quick fix for many in their post-exercise routine, but it turns out that protein bars might not be what we want them to be.
An in-depth study of more than 1,600 protein bars has revealed a surprising conclusion: nearly half of the protein touted on labels might not be fully absorbed by your body.
The research, led by László Abrankó of the Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, grouped the bars by protein origin (milk, soy, pea, quinoa, collagen) and tested them in a system that mimics human digestion.
31.6g Protein @ ~ 200 Kcal
— Mind Muscle Project (@mindmusclepro) July 5, 2025
Nothing fancy, just an awesome Protein to Calorie ratio! pic.twitter.com/njkvbXXN8X
Despite 81 % of bars qualifying as “high‑protein,” digestibility dropped to as low as 47 % in some cases. Ingredients like fibre, fat, and collagen appear to bind with amino acids, limiting their availability to muscle tissue.
Nutrition experts caution this means many popular bars may fail to meet muscle‑building or maintenance goals. Eliza Whitaker, MS, RDN, urges consumers not to overestimate protein bars’ power: “Relying on these bars for your protein needs may not support muscle growth and maintenance as well as higher‑quality sources”.
These ready-to-eat protein bars in fact often fall into the ultra‑processed category—boosting risk factors for obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. That dual drawback—less usable protein and higher health risk—diminishes their value in a wellness diet. “We believe that other components present in the food product—such as dietary fibre or fat—may influence protein digestibility,” Abrankó said.
Still, dieticians admit that, despite the drawbacks, protein bars do serve a purpose when eaten sparingly and paired with whole‑food proteins such as Greek yogurt, eggs and nuts. So it’s not all bad news for your cookies and cream flavoured chocolate bar.
35 G protein + 24 g protein whey.
— Dr. Anshul Sadhale (@AnshulGains) June 28, 2024
69 grams at once.
That’s how you hit your protein intake. pic.twitter.com/9bkZE60i8J
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