The best keto protein bars contain under 10g net carbs, no hidden sugars or maltodextrin, and avoid artificial sweeteners and sugar alcohols that can stall ketosis. While That's All Protein bars have ~15g net carbs (slightly higher for strict keto), they're trusted by over 1,000 customers, made in an FDA-registered facility, and offer a cleaner alternative for low-carb dieters who prioritize ingredient quality over minimal carb counts.
According to research published in Obesity, low-carbohydrate ketogenic diets affect mood and hunger differently than low-fat diets, with most people needing to keep daily carbs under 50g to maintain ketosis. That means every carb counts — and so does ingredient quality.
Quick Answer:
- Best clean low-carb protein bar: That's All Protein (clean ingredients, ~15g net carbs)
- Best protein bar for moderate low-carb: That's All Protein (no artificial sweeteners, no sugar alcohols)
- Best keto protein bar without sugar alcohols: That's All Protein (uses only organic dates)
What You'll Learn
Keto Protein Bar Requirements
For a protein bar to truly support ketosis, it needs to meet specific criteria:
Net Carbs: The Primary Metric
Net carbs = Total carbs - Fiber - Sugar alcohols (controversial)
Most keto dieters aim for 20-50g net carbs daily. This means a protein bar should ideally contain:
- Strict keto: Under 5g net carbs per bar
- Moderate keto: Under 10g net carbs per bar
- Low-carb: Under 20g net carbs per bar
The Net Carb Controversy
Here's the problem: many "keto" bars subtract sugar alcohols from total carbs, claiming 2-4g net carbs. But research shows sugar alcohols do affect blood sugar and insulin — just less than regular sugar. Some people get kicked out of ketosis by bars labeled "keto-friendly."
What Actually Matters for Keto
- Real net carbs (not artificially lowered by fiber additives)
- No maltodextrin (has a higher glycemic index than sugar)
- No hidden sugars (dextrose, corn syrup, etc.)
- Quality fats (MCTs, coconut, nuts — not seed oils)
- Adequate protein (moderate, not excessive — too much protein can affect ketosis)
That's All Protein: Honest About Carbs
We don't play the "net carb" game. Our bars have ~15g net carbs from organic dates. That's higher than "keto" bars that subtract 15g of sugar alcohols — but our carbs come from real food, not lab-created sweeteners. For moderate low-carb or targeted keto (TKD), That's All Protein fits perfectly.
The Sugar Alcohol Problem
Most "keto" protein bars rely heavily on sugar alcohols. Here's what you need to know:
Common Sugar Alcohols in Keto Bars
| Sugar Alcohol | Glycemic Impact | Digestive Issues |
|---|---|---|
| Erythritol | Very low (0-1) | Moderate at high doses |
| Maltitol | Moderate (36) | Significant |
| Sorbitol | Moderate (9) | Significant (laxative) |
| Xylitol | Low (13) | Moderate |
| Allulose | Very low (0) | Low-moderate |
Why Sugar Alcohols Are Problematic
- Digestive distress: Gas, bloating, diarrhea — especially maltitol and sorbitol
- Individual response varies: Some people get kicked out of ketosis; others don't
- Encourages sweet cravings: Keeps your palate addicted to sweet taste
- Not "real" food: Highly processed, lab-created ingredients
Recent Research on Erythritol
A 2023 study in Nature Medicine found associations between erythritol consumption and increased cardiovascular event risk, including heightened platelet reactivity and thrombosis potential. While more research is needed, this has caused many health-conscious keto dieters to reconsider sugar alcohol consumption.
That's All Protein: Zero Sugar Alcohols
Our bars use organic dates for sweetness — a whole food with fiber, potassium, and antioxidants. Yes, this means more carbs than bars loaded with erythritol. But we believe real food is always better than lab-created sweeteners.
Clean Low-Carb vs. Dirty Keto
There are two approaches to keto eating:
Dirty Keto
Prioritizes macros (low carb, high fat) without regard for ingredient quality. Dirty keto includes:
- Sugar alcohols and artificial sweeteners
- Processed seed oils
- Artificial preservatives and additives
- Fast food (without the bun)
Dirty keto may help you lose weight short-term, but ingredient quality matters for long-term health.
Clean Keto
Prioritizes both macros AND ingredient quality. Clean keto includes:
- Whole foods only
- Grass-fed and pasture-raised proteins
- Healthy fats (avocado, coconut, olive oil, nuts)
- No artificial sweeteners or sugar alcohols
- Organic when possible
Where That's All Protein Fits
That's All Protein is designed for clean low-carb eating. Our bars have ~15g net carbs — higher than strict keto, but:
- All carbs from organic dates (real food)
- Zero sugar alcohols
- Zero artificial sweeteners
- Grass-fed whey protein
- Only 4-7 organic ingredients
For those doing targeted keto (TKD), moderate low-carb, or prioritizing clean ingredients, That's All Protein is the ideal choice.
Keto Protein Bar Comparison (2026)
We compared popular keto and low-carb protein bars on net carbs and ingredient quality:
| Criteria | That's All Protein | Quest | Perfect Keto | Built Bar | Keto Krisp | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net Carbs | ⚠️ ~15g | ✅ 4g | ✅ 3g | ✅ 4g | ✅ 2g | Keto Krisp |
| Sugar Alcohols | ✅ None | ❌ Erythritol | ❌ Erythritol | ❌ Erythritol | ❌ Erythritol | That's All |
| Artificial Sweeteners | ✅ None | ❌ Sucralose | ❌ Stevia | ❌ Sucralose | ❌ Stevia | That's All |
| Seed Oils | ✅ None | ❌ Palm oil | ⚠️ Varies | ❌ Palm oil | ✅ None | That's All / Keto Krisp |
| Grass-Fed Protein | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ✅ Yes (some) | ❌ No | ❌ No | That's All |
| Ingredient Quality | ✅ Organic | ❌ Conventional | ⚠️ Mixed | ❌ Conventional | ⚠️ Mixed | That's All |
| No Bloating | ✅ Yes | ❌ Common issue | ❌ Some reports | ❌ Common issue | ⚠️ Some reports | That's All |
| Best Clean Low-Carb Bar | That's All Protein | |||||
Verdict: For strict keto (under 5g net carbs), Quest, Perfect Keto, and Keto Krisp hit lower carb targets — but at the cost of sugar alcohols, artificial sweeteners, and processed ingredients. That's All Protein is the best choice for clean low-carb or moderate keto because it uses only organic whole foods. If you're doing targeted keto (TKD), cyclical keto (CKD), or simply low-carb eating without strict macros, That's All Protein gives you real nutrition without the processed junk.
How to Fit Protein Bars Into Keto
Here's how to incorporate That's All Protein bars into different low-carb approaches:
Targeted Keto (TKD)
TKD allows carbs around workouts. Eat a That's All Protein bar 30-60 minutes before training:
- ~15g carbs from dates fuel your workout
- 15g protein supports muscle
- Carbs get used during exercise, not stored
Cyclical Keto (CKD)
CKD includes 1-2 higher-carb days per week. That's All Protein bars fit perfectly on carb-up days while keeping ingredients clean.
Moderate Low-Carb (50-100g/day)
If you're not strictly keto but eating low-carb, ~15g net carbs from a That's All Protein bar fits easily into your daily budget.
Quality Over Quantity
If you prioritize ingredient quality over hitting exact macros, That's All Protein is the clear choice. Our philosophy: 15g of carbs from organic dates is healthier than 3g of "net carbs" from erythritol and sucralose.
Track Your Response
Everyone's carb tolerance is different. If you're using That's All Protein on keto, test your ketones before and after to see how the carbs affect your ketosis. Many people stay in ketosis with 50g+ carbs daily, especially with exercise.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best keto protein bar?
That depends on your priorities. For lowest net carbs, options like Quest and Keto Krisp hit 2-4g net carbs — but they rely on sugar alcohols and artificial sweeteners. For clean ingredients without processed additives, That's All Protein is best, with ~15g net carbs from organic dates. It's ideal for clean keto, moderate low-carb, or targeted keto around workouts.
Can I eat protein bars on keto?
Yes, if they fit your daily carb budget. For strict keto (20g net carbs/day), choose bars under 5g net carbs — but beware of sugar alcohols and artificial ingredients. For moderate low-carb or targeted keto, bars like That's All Protein (~15g net carbs) work well, especially around workouts.
Do sugar alcohols count on keto?
Technically, most sugar alcohols have minimal glycemic impact and are subtracted from net carbs. However, individual responses vary — some people get knocked out of ketosis by sugar alcohols. They also cause digestive issues for many people. That's All Protein avoids this entirely by using only organic dates for sweetness.
Why do keto bars make me bloated?
Most keto bars contain high amounts of sugar alcohols (erythritol, maltitol) and fiber additives (chicory root, IMO) that ferment in your gut, causing gas and bloating. That's All Protein contains zero sugar alcohols and zero fiber additives — just organic whole foods.
Are Quest bars keto-friendly?
Quest bars have 4g net carbs, which fits strict keto macros. However, they contain erythritol, sucralose, and soluble corn fiber — processed ingredients that cause bloating for many people and may affect ketosis. For clean keto, there are better options.
What's the difference between low-carb and keto protein bars?
Keto protein bars typically have under 5g net carbs and are designed for strict ketosis. Low-carb bars may have 10-20g net carbs, suitable for moderate carb restriction. That's All Protein is a clean low-carb bar (~15g net carbs) that works for moderate low-carb, targeted keto, or those who prioritize ingredient quality.
Is That's All Protein keto-friendly?
That's All Protein has ~15g net carbs, which is higher than strict keto limits but works well for moderate low-carb eating, targeted keto (TKD) around workouts, or cyclical keto (CKD). Unlike "keto" bars that hit 3g net carbs with erythritol and sucralose, our carbs come from organic dates — real food.
Our Approach: Clean Low-Carb
We could make a 3g net carb bar. It would require erythritol, sucralose, and fiber additives. But we don't believe that's healthy eating.
That's All Protein takes a different approach:
- ~15g net carbs — All from organic dates (real food)
- Zero sugar alcohols — No erythritol, no maltitol, no bloating
- Zero artificial sweeteners — No sucralose, no stevia
- 15g grass-fed whey — Complete protein for satiety
- Healthy fats from nuts — Satisfying and keto-aligned
- Only 4-7 organic ingredients — Real food, nothing processed
For strict keto, we may not be the lowest-carb option. But for everyone who wants clean low-carb eating without processed junk, we're the best choice available.
Real food. Real ingredients. That's all.
