• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Breaking Muscle

Breaking Muscle

Breaking Muscle

  • Fitness
  • Workouts
    • Best Shoulder Workouts
    • Best Chest Workouts
    • Best Leg Workouts
    • Best Leg Exercises
    • Best Biceps Exercises
    • Best Kettlebell Exercises
    • Best Back Workouts
    • Best HIIT Workouts
    • Best Triceps Exercises
    • Best Arm Workouts
  • Reviews
    • Supplements
      • Best Pre-Workout
      • Best Bodybuilding Supplements
      • Best Supplements for Weight Loss
      • Best Creatine
      • Best BCAAs
      • Best Multivitamin for Men
      • Best Collagen Supplement
      • Best Probiotic
      • Best Non-Stim Pre-Workout
      • Best Magnesium Supplements
      • Athletic Greens AG1 Review
    • Protein
      • Best Protein Powder
      • Best Whey Protein
      • Best Protein Powders for Muscle Gain
      • Best Mass Gainer
      • Best Protein Shakes
      • Best Organic Protein Powder
      • Best Pea Protein Powder
      • Best Protein Bars
    • Strength Equipment
      • Best Home Gym Equipment
      • Best Squat Racks
      • Best Barbells
      • Best Weightlifting Belts
      • Best Weight Benches
      • Best Functional Trainers
      • Best Dumbbells
      • Best Adjustable Dumbbells
      • Best Kettlebells
      • Best Resistance Bands
      • Best Trap Bars
    • Cardio Equipment
      • Best Cardio Machines
      • Best Rowing Machines
      • Best Treadmills
      • Best Weighted Vests
  • News
  • Exercise Guides
    • Legs
      • Back Squat
      • Bulgarian Split Squat
      • Goblet Squat
      • Zercher Squat
      • Standing Calf Raise
      • Hack Squat
    • Chest
      • Bench Press
      • Dumbbell Bench Press
      • Close-Grip Bench Press
      • Incline Bench Press
    • Shoulders
      • Overhead Dumbbell Press
      • Lateral Raise
    • Arms
      • Chin-Up
      • Weighted Pull-Up
      • Triceps Pushdown
    • Back
      • Deadlift
      • Trap Bar Deadlift
      • Lat Pulldown
      • Inverted Row
      • Bent-Over Barbell Row
      • Single-Arm Dumbbell Row
      • Pendlay Row
Reviews

EPIC Bars (Product Review)

EPIC bars just might be my new gold-standard protein snack. And I've tried a lot of high-protein snacks.

Doug Dupont

Written by Doug Dupont Last updated on April 26, 2014

We receive free products and receive commissions through our links. See disclosures page.

High-protein, healthy snacks that are suitable for athletes and paleo dieters can be tough to come by. I’m fortunate to get to try out so many awesome companies that support athletes and corporate responsibility alike, but it’s tough to find it all in one product. Well, I recently tried EPIC Bars, and they just might qualify.

EPIC bars are a meat-based protein bar that combine various kinds of meats with savory and sweet flavors. The meat is either grass-fed or as naturally raised as possible. The remaining ingredients are mostly nuts, fruits, and spices. Despite the short ingredient list, eating these bars is like having a delicious meaty meal condensed into one bar.

EPIC doesn’t just produce these bars, but they also do it with a passion for people, animals, and the environment. The company believes animals should live a life as natural as possible prior to consumption, and require their sources to prove that their animals are treated humanely and live “pasture-centered lives.” EPIC also provides literature about the benefits of grass-fed animals compared to their grain-fed counterparts. And, finally, they care about the human health benefits of eating healthy, high-protein meats with healthy fats, nuts and fruits.

Until now, my gold-standard protein snack for athletes has always been low-sugar jerky. It’s a convenient, high-protein, low-sugar snack, and when you get the grass-fed stuff, you’re golden. But jerky commonly has two problems. First, it’s often chewy or tough. Second, it’s almost universally loaded with salt. EPIC bars are not only soft and moist, but they also have half the sodium content of even the lower sodium jerky options.

Based on the above, perhaps I should have a new gold standard. And honestly, I expected to pay for that level of quality. However, gram for gram of protein, EPIC Bars are similar in price to the high-sugar, low-quality, high-salt stuff you’ll find at a grocery store.

I got to try three out of four of their flavors.

  • Bison with Bacon and Cranberry: Out of the three, this bar may have been my favorite, but it’s hard to decide. The bacon in the bar – and let’s be honest, bacon is amazing – almost imparts a jerky-like flavor, which plays nicely with the tartness of the cranberry. All the flavors are blended together perfectly by the healthy fats.
  • Lamb with Currant and Mint: The flavor of the lamb bar is intense and delicious, especially for lovers of Mediterranean cuisine. Loaded with Italian spices like basil, oregano, and rosemary, expect an amazing taste and aftertaste that will keep your mouth watering.
  • Turkey with Almonds and Cranberry: This is the offering with the lowest sugar and fat, as well as the most protein. The meat flavor on this one is very mild and serves mostly as a vehicle for the cranberry tartness. The almonds contribute more to texture than taste, but they do add some of the healthy fats that the turkey meat lacks, which helps round out the flavor. This bar has a nice seasoning blend as well, including many earthy spices along with garlic and onion. However, it’s the cranberry tartness that shines through most, reminiscent of a bar version of Thanksgiving dinner.

In the cons section I listed texture, but this is only going to be a negative quality for some people. Because the bars are made from finely ground meat, the texture is not unlike a dry pâté. The lamb bar, which is quite rich, can leave a residue in your mouth as well (and a nice aftertaste that lasts for an extended period). Again, I personally thought these bars were good in both flavor and texture, but I’ll let you decide for yourself.

If you’re looking for a high-quality and tasty snack that’s convenient and travels well but won’t break the bank – and what athlete isn’t looking for that? – EPIC Bars are for you.

EPIC Bars are available for $34.00 for 12 at EpicBar.com.

Doug Dupont

About Doug Dupont

Having grown up at the foot of a forest covered mountain in rural Vermont, Doug was active from a very young age. Hiking, running, and climbing were a part of everyday life in the Green Mountains. This culture of exercise led to dabbling in martial arts as a teen, and also getting work in a local powerlifting focused gym. Doug continued to pursue knowledge and training in exercise, becoming a certified personal trainer while still a teenager. Once in college he began his hand at the business side of fitness, taking a management position at a large local gym. During that time he became a founding member of the UVM Brazilian Jiu Jitsu club, and was the first among their competition team. After only a few months he was assisting in coaching, and ran conditioning program for the club.

Out of college Doug set up his own training center. He grew his list of clientele including several professional MMA athletes, eventually going so far as to corner a world title fight. He has continued ­­­to develop his business into today.

View All Articles

Recommended Articles

Three massage guns on a red background
Best Massage Guns for Runners, Back Pain, Under $100, and More (2023)
Best Functional Trainers of 2023 for Small Spaces, With Smith Machines, and More
Pure Protein, Jacked Factory, and RXBAR protein bars on a red background
Best Protein Bars for Weight Loss, Muscle Gain, and More (2023)
Best Magnesium Supplements of 2023 for Better Sleep, Leg Cramps, and More

Primary Sidebar

Latest Articles

Reigning Champion Chris Bumstead Shares Full Day of Eating 6 Weeks Out From 2023 Mr. Olympia 

Australian Strongman Smashes World Record by Pulling 44,753-Pound Crane

Regan Grimes Kicks Off 2023 Mr. Olympia Prep With Grueling Back and Biceps Workout

Best Massage Guns for Runners, Back Pain, Under $100, and More (2023)

Latest Reviews

Best Functional Trainers of 2023 for Small Spaces, With Smith Machines, and More

Pure Protein, Jacked Factory, and RXBAR protein bars on a red background

Best Protein Bars for Weight Loss, Muscle Gain, and More (2023)

Best Magnesium Supplements of 2023 for Better Sleep, Leg Cramps, and More

Best Budget Barbells of 2023 for CrossFit, Powerlifting, and More

woman lifting barbell

Be the smartest person in your gym

The Breaking Muscle newsletter is everything you need to know about strength in a 3 minute read.

I WANT IN!

Breaking Muscle is the fitness world’s preeminent destination for timely, high-quality information on exercise, fitness, health, and nutrition. Our audience encompasses the entire spectrum of the fitness community: consumers, aficionados, fitness professionals, and business owners. We seek to inform, educate and advocate for this community.

  • Reviews
  • Healthy Eating
  • Workouts
  • Fitness
  • News

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS Feed

© 2023 · Breaking Muscle · Terms of Use · Privacy Policy · Affiliate Disclaimer · Accessibility · About