The Fibre in Your Protein Bar Isn't Doing What You Think

There's a big difference between plant-based fibre and the fibre in your favourite protein bar. And your gut knows it.

What's actually in there

Most protein bars add fibre as an isolate — things like chicory root fibre or IMO (isomalto-oligosaccharide) syrup.

It's great for the label. It bumps up the fibre number, keeps the net carbs low, and makes the macros look excellent.

But it doesn't do much for your gut health.

Why that matters

The fibre in plants is fermentable. That means your gut bacteria can actually break it down and use it — which is how fibre supports digestion, regularity and a healthy microbiome in the first place.

Isolated fibres often aren't fermentable in the same way. So you're getting the number without the function.

And for some people, they do worse than nothing — bloating, gas, cramping and general GI misery after a bar that was supposed to be the "healthy" option.

If you've ever eaten a protein bar and felt wrecked an hour later, this is very likely why.

So where should your fibre come from?

Plants. Not packets.

🥦 Vegetables 🍓 Fruit 🌾 Whole grains 🫘 Legumes

Aim to get the bulk of your daily fibre from real food, and treat bars as what they are — a convenient protein snack, not a gut health strategy.

Bars aren't banned. They're just not the hero.

Your gut (and your jeans) will thank you.

Meg x