Healthy Alternatives to Your Favorite Candy Bars
Recently, several of our editors had a conversation on their favorite protein bar as they try to find more healthy (or, at least, lest harmful alternatives to sugar filled treats. One name came up in the conversation: Barbells Functional Foods. We noticed that virtually all of them are great alternatives to some of the most popular candy bars in the country. This is not a sponsored post, but the opinion of individuals that are simply too passionate about candy.
We all have our go-to candy bars. Snickers, Reese’s, Milky Way — they’ve been staples for decades. The problem? They’re loaded with sugar and low on nutrition, leaving you with a quick energy spike followed by the crash. That’s where Barebells comes in. These protein-packed bars mimic the flavors you crave but with 20 grams of protein and no added sugar, making them a smart swap when your sweet tooth hits.
Here’s how your favorites stack up against healthier Barebells alternatives:
Snickers → Barebells Caramel Cashew
If you love the nutty crunch and caramel chew of Snickers, Caramel Cashew is your match. It delivers the same salty-sweet bite but replaces the sugar surge with long-lasting protein power.
Milky Way → Barebells Caramel Choco
Fans of the soft nougat and caramel layers in a Milky Way will find a healthier stand-in with Caramel Choco. It has that same rich chocolate-caramel combination but without the sugar overload.
Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups → Barebells Salty Peanut
Peanut butter and chocolate lovers don’t have to give up their favorite combo. Salty Peanut offers the same indulgence as Reese’s, but in a bar designed to fuel your day, not derail it.
Twix → Barebells Creamy Crisp
Twix fans love the crunchy cookie texture beneath caramel and chocolate. Creamy Crisp nails the crunch factor, giving you that satisfying bite with added protein instead of empty calories.
Kit Kat → Barebells Chocolate Dough
Craving the chocolatey crunch of a Kit Kat? Chocolate Dough gives you the same cocoa-forward experience with a soft center — a protein-rich version of the classic.
Almond Joy → Barebells White Chocolate Almond
Coconut-and-almond lovers don’t have to miss out. White Chocolate Almond delivers a nutty sweetness that feels like an upgraded Almond Joy, minus the sugar crash.
Hershey’s Cookies ’n’ Creme → Barebells Cookies & Cream
For those who can’t resist the white-chocolate-cookie combo, Cookies & Cream is the smarter way to enjoy the flavor without the sugar spike.
Birthday Cake Treats → Barebells Birthday Cake
Love sprinkle-topped, frosted snacks? Birthday Cake lets you indulge in that celebratory taste without the empty calories, keeping the fun but losing the guilt.
The Bottom Line
Candy bars will always have a nostalgic place in our diets, but they don’t have to dominate your snack drawer. Barebells offers a lineup that satisfies the same cravings — caramel, chocolate, crunch, or nutty richness — while packing in protein and cutting down on sugar. Next time you’re tempted to grab your favorite candy bar, try its Barebells counterpart. Your taste buds (and your body) will thank you.
