Despite how easy it is to rustle up a homemade protein bar [1], it can still feel so much more convenient to grab a prepackaged snack bar as a post-workout bite [2] or an afternoon snack. If cutting down on sugar [3] is a priority in your healthy lifestyle, you should be reading the labels of your go-to, branded, healthy snack bars, because although they are marketed as healthy alternatives to chocolate bars, they can sometimes contain similar or exceeding amounts of sugar.
While we don't suggest you go back to chocolate bars or completely cut snack bars out of your diet, moderating your intake and finding even healthier, unprocessed snack options [4] is the most successful way to cut down your sugar consumption.
The next time you reach for your favourite afternoon protein or granola bar, check how much sugar it contains in comparison to your favourite chocolate bar and a filling piece of fruit like an apple. Are they worth the swap, or are you better off snacking on even healthier options [5]?
| Food | Size | Cals | Fat | Sat Fat | Carbs | Sugars | Fibre | Protein | Sodium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trek Protein Cocoa Chaos Bar [6] | 1 bar (55 grams) | 186 | 3.5 | 0.7 | 27.3 | 22.8 | 3.6 | 10 | 0.3 |
| Nakd Chocolate Cocoa Crunch [7] | 1 bar (30 grams) | 105 | 2.6 | 0.6 | 14.2 | 12.9 | 1.9 | 5.5 | 0.2 |
| Bounce Cocoa Mint Protein Ball [8] | 1 ball (42 grams) | 176 | 7 | 2.1 | 17 | 9 | 2.7 | 10 | 0.3 |
| Eat Natural Chocolate Chunks, Peanuts and Seeds [9] | 1 bar (45 grams) | 215 | 11.1 | 6.4 | 18.4 | 18.3 | 2.6 | 2.1 | 0 |
| Meridian Peanut and Cocoa Bar [10] | 1 bar (40 grams) | 185 | 9.5 | 1.6 | 15.9 | 10.9 | 2.7 | 8 | 0.04 |
| Clif Chocolate Chip Peanut Crunch Bar [11] | 1 bar (68 grams) | 250 | 7 | 1.5 | 41 | 21 | 4 | 10 | 0.2 |