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These 23 'healthy' energy bars actually have more sugar than a Snickers

When people reach for an energy bar, they're probably thinking that it's a healthier choice than a candy bar. Given the marketing tactics for energy and protein bars, this assumption isn't surprising.

What’s surprising is that this assumption is often false.

Many energy bars have more sugar and calories than a regular-sized Snickers candy bar.

Using data from the ESHA nutrition database, the analysts at HealthGrove, a health research site powered by Graphiq, found 23 energy bars that have more sugar than a regular-sized Snickers. These energy bars all have over 20 grams of sugar, and some even contain close to 100 percent the daily recommended amount — 24 grams for women and 36 grams for men.

So, yes, these bars will definitely supply energy, but probably not the long and sustained energy that a meal with balanced protein, carbohydrates and fat would provide.

However, this is not to say that all energy bars are bad — some can be quite healthy. Bars can help fuel you up for a workout or sustain you from lunch to dinner. And, sometimes people such as athletes will reach for energy bars specifically because they have such high concentrations of sugar. Regardless, it's important to be mindful of their nutrient content and remember that it's usually healthier to fuel up with whole, unprocessed foods instead.

Without further ado, here are 23 energy bars with more sugar than a Snickers.

23. Honey Stinger Energy Bar, Blueberry Buzz

  • Sugar: 20 grams
  • Fat: 5 grams
  • Carbohydrates: 30 grams
  • Protein: 5 grams

22. Clif Builder’s 20g Protein Bar

  • Sugar: 21 grams
  • Fat: 9 grams
  • Carbohydrates: 29 grams
  • Protein: 20 grams

21. LÄRABAR Banana Bread

  • Sugar: 20 grams
  • Fat: 11 grams
  • Carbohydrates: 30 grams
  • Protein: 6 grams

20. Clif Berry Pomegranate Chia

  • Sugar: 21 grams
  • Fat: 4.5 grams
  • Carbohydrates: 44 grams
  • Protein: 10 grams

19. ProBar Carrot Cake Fuel

  • Sugar: 21 grams
  • Fat: 7 grams
  • Carbohydrates: 31 grams
  • Protein: 3 grams

18. Clif White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Bar

  • Sugar: 20 grams
  • Fat: 7 grams
  • Carbohydrates: 42 grams
  • Protein: 9 grams

17. LÄRABAR Chocolate Chip Cherry Torte

  • Sugar: 21 grams
  • Fat: 8 grams
  • Carbohydrates: 27 grams
  • Protein: 3 grams

16. Honey Stinger Energy Bar, Berry Banana Buzz

  • Sugar: 22 grams
  • Fat: 4 grams
  • Carbohydrates: 28 grams
  • Protein: 5 grams

15. ProBar Cherry Pie Fuel

  • Sugar: 22 grams
  • Fat: 4.5 grams
  • Carbohydrates: 34 grams
  • Protein: 3 grams

14. Clif Chocolate Brownie

  • Sugar: 22 grams
  • Fat: 5 grams
  • Carbohydrates: 45 grams
  • Protein: 9 grams

13. ProBar Apple Pie Fuel

  • Sugar: 22 grams
  • Fat: 5 grams
  • Carbohydrates: 33 grams
  • Protein: 3 grams

12. ProBar Blueberry Pie Fuel

  • Sugar: 22 grams
  • Fat: 5 grams
  • Carbohydrates: 34 grams
  • Protein: 3 grams

11. Clif Blueberry Crisp

  • Sugar: 22 grams
  • Fat: 5 grams
  • Carbohydrates: 44 grams
  • Protein: 10 grams

10. ProBar Coconut Dream Fuel

  • Sugar: 22 grams
  • Fat: 6 grams
  • Carbohydrates: 33 grams
  • Protein: 3 grams

9. Clif Chocolate Almond Fudge

  • Sugar: 22 grams
  • Fat: 6 grams
  • Carbohydrates: 43 grams
  • Protein: 9 grams

8. +plusbar Energy Natural

  • Sugar: 24 grams
  • Fat: 9 grams
  • Carbohydrates: 31 grams
  • Protein: 9 grams

7. PowerBar Chocolate Performance Energy Bar

  • Sugar: 25 grams
  • Fat: 3 grams
  • Carbohydrates: 45 grams
  • Protein: 8 grams

6. PowerBar Peanut Butter Performance Energy Bar

  • Sugar: 26 grams
  • Fat: 4 grams
  • Carbohydrates: 44 grams
  • Protein: 9 grams

5. MET-Rx Big 100 Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough

  • Sugar: 25 grams
  • Fat: 9 grams
  • Carbohydrates: 40 grams
  • Protein: 30 grams

4. PowerBar Chocolate Peanut Butter Performance Energy Bar

  • Sugar: 26 grams
  • Fat: 3.5 grams
  • Carbohydrates: 44 grams
  • Protein: 9 grams

3. PowerBar Vanilla Crisp Performance Energy Bar

  • Sugar: 26 grams
  • Fat: 3.5 grams
  • Carbohydrates: 45 grams
  • Protein: 8 grams

2. PowerBar Cookie Dough Performance Energy Bar

  • Sugar: 28 grams
  • Fat: 3.5 grams
  • Carbohydrates: 46 grams
  • Protein: 8 grams

1. PowerBar Protein Plus, Chocolate Brownie

  • Sugar: 27 grams
  • Fat: 9 grams
  • Carbohydrates: 40 grams
  • Protein: 30 grams