Larabar vs RXBar — Which Is Healthier?

The Short Answer

It comes down to macronutrients vs. minimalism.

If you just finished a workout and need muscle repair, RXBar is the winner. Its 12g of egg white protein beats Larabar's 4-6g significantly. It creates actual satiety.

If you are hiking, need quick energy, or are vegan, Larabar is the winner. It is softer, easier to digest, and the "Original" line often contains zero processed additives—just fruit and nuts.

The shared red flag? Both rely on dates as a binder. Independent tests from 2024 and 2025 found measurable levels of lead in popular flavors of both brands. This isn't necessarily a factory contamination issue; it's a soil issue with dates. Treat them as treats, not vitamins.

Why This Matters

Marketing would have you believe these are perfect health foods. RXBar plasters its ingredients on the front in big bold letters ("No B.S."), implying total transparency. Larabar leans on its "Original Fruit & Nut" purity.

But "simple" doesn't always mean "pure." When a bar is 40% dates, it inherits the mineral profile of those dates. If the soil had lead, the bar has lead. Consumers eating these daily for "wellness" might be unknowingly accumulating heavy metals.

Furthermore, big food conglomerates now own both. General Mills owns Larabar and Kellanova (formerly Kellogg's) owns RXBar. While formulation changes have been minimal, the "small batch" vibe is long gone.

What's Actually Inside

Both brands are cleaner than 90% of the bar aisle, but there are distinct differences.

RXBar (Chocolate Sea Salt)

• Dates — The sticky binder. High sugar (13g+), high potassium.
• Egg Whites — The protein source. Pasteurized and powdered. Not vegan.
• Almonds/Cashews — Texture and healthy fats.
• Natural Flavors — The "B.S." they don't mention. Most popular RXBars list this vague ingredient, which can contain dozens of chemical compounds. Is Rxbar Healthy

Larabar (Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip)

• Dates — The primary ingredient.
• Peanuts — Protein and fat.
• Semisweet Chocolate Chips — Sugar, chocolate, cocoa butter.
• Sea Salt — Flavor.
• Note: Many Larabars (like Cashew Cookie) have NO natural flavors. Just the nuts and fruit. Is Larabar Healthy

Comparison: Head-to-Head

What to Look For

Green Flags:

• Short Ingredient Lists: Larabar Cashew Cookie has literally two ingredients. That is the gold standard.
• Whole Protein Sources: RXBar uses egg whites rather than "soy protein isolate," which is a major quality win.
• Glyphosate Free: Both brands have consistently tested non-detect for glyphosate in independent consumer studies (Mamavation).

Red Flags:

• "Natural Flavors": Found in almost all RXBars and some Larabars (like Key Lime Pie).
• Sticky Texture: RXBars are notorious for sticking to dental work.
• Heavy Metals: Lead Safe Mama found unsafe levels of lead in RXBar Vanilla Almond (Jan 2025) and Larabar Lemon (July 2024).

The Best Options

If you're buying these, stick to the cleanest flavors to minimize additive exposure.

The Bottom Line

1. Choose RXBar for performance. If you need 12g of protein to recover from a lift, the egg whites here are superior to the nuts in Larabar.

2. Choose Larabar for purity. If you want a snack that is strictly food-as-found-in-nature, the nut-based Larabars (like Cashew or Pecan) are unbeatable.

3. Rotate your snacks. Don't eat date-based bars every single day. The heavy metal accumulation risk is real. Alternate with oat-based or seed-based bars to vary your exposure. Healthiest Breakfast Bar

FAQ

Is RXBar highly processed?

No, but it's not raw. The egg whites are processed into a powder, and the dates are mashed. However, compared to a Quest Bar or Clif Bar, it is minimally processed. The inclusion of "Natural Flavors" is the most processed element.

Why do RXBars hurt my jaw?

It's the egg white protein. When egg white powder is mixed with dates and dehydrated, it creates a very dense, taffy-like texture. Larabar uses only nuts and dates, which retain natural oils and stay softer.

Are they safe for kids?

In moderation. Both are better than candy bars. However, due to the lead content in dates, recent independent testing suggests they should not be a daily staple for young children. Is Rxbar Healthy

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