The Nutritional Benefits and Downsides of Unreal Bars

The Nutritional Value of Unreal Bars

Unreal bars have become an increasingly popular snack in recent years. Packed with protein, fiber, and lower in sugar than other candy bars, unreal bars aim to provide a healthier alternative to traditional candy options.

Unreal Bar Ingredients

Unreal bars contain a mix of ingredients targeted to provide an optimal nutritional profile. Some of the main ingredients in unreal bars include:

• Protein - Whey, soy, and other proteins provide a solid protein base.
• Fiber - Ingredients like soluble corn fiber boost the fiber content.
• Alternative sweeteners - Unreal bars use sugar alternatives like allulose and stevia to reduce sugar and calories.
• Fats - Nut butters, cocoa butter, and other fats provide fat and flavor.
• Nuts/seeds - Peanuts, almonds, cashews, and seeds add crunch.
• Flavorings - Cocoa, vanilla, and other natural flavors improve palatability.

Macronutrient and Micronutrient Content

The specific macronutrient and micronutrient profile varies between unreal bar flavors and formulations. However, on average, a 60 gram unreal bar contains:

• 200 calories
• 16-18g protein
• 14-16g fat
• 12-15g net carbs
• 8-10g fiber
• Less than 1g sugar
• No artificial sweeteners or sugar alcohols
• High in magnesium, potassium, antioxidants from cocoa

This nutrient profile fits well into a balanced diet, providing ample protein, fiber, essential fats, vitamins, and minerals without excess sugar or calories.

Unreal Bar Nutrition Compared to Other Candy Bars

Compared to traditional candy bars, unreal bars offer superior nutrition in almost every way. Some key differences include:

More Protein and Fiber

Unreal bars pack about 3-4x as much protein and 2-3x as much fiber as brands like Snickers, Milky Way, Reese's, etc. This boosts satiety and balanced energy.

Fewer Net Carbs and Almost No Sugar

Through using alternative sweeteners, unreal bars slash net carbs and sugar down to a fraction contained in conventional candy bars. This reduces blood sugar spikes.

Generally Lower in Calories and Fat

Despite often feeling more indulgent, most unreal flavors contain fewer calories and less total fat compared to legacy candy brands.

No Artificial Ingredients

Unreal bars use no artificial sweeteners, colors, flavors, or preservatives. This makes them a more natural choice.

Benefits of Choosing Unreal Bars

Choosing unreal bars over traditional candy options provides consumers multiple benefits:

Better Macronutrient Balance

With more protein, fiber, and less sugar, unreal bars provide more stable, sustained energy instead of a quick sugar rush and crash.

Micronutrient Content

Ingredients like nuts, seeds, and cocoa make unreal bars a source of magnesium, potassium, antioxidants not found in normal candy.

Lower Calorie and Healthier Fats

Unreal bars often contain fewer calories and emphasize monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats from nuts and seeds over saturated/trans fats.

Increased Satiety

Higher protein and fiber lead to increased feelings of fullness and satisfaction from snacking on unreal bars.

Less Sugar and Cavity Risk

With little to no sugar, unreal bars pose less risk for cavities, blood sugar spikes, inflammation, and other issues tied to excess sugar consumption.

No Artificial Ingredients

Unreal bars contain no artificial sweeteners, colors, flavors, or preservatives, making them a good choice for those avoiding these additives.

Downsides and Considerations

While unreal bars beat traditional candy bars across most nutritional metrics, they still have some downsides to consider:

Often High in Sodium

To balance flavor, unreal bars frequently end up high in sodium, which may be an issue for some people.

Allergens Like Nuts and Soy

Key ingredients in many flavors like nuts, soy, and dairy mean those with allergens need to be careful.

Higher Cost

As a newer niche product, unreal bars almost always cost considerably more than mass market candy bars.

Debate Over Sweeteners Used

While unreal bars use no artificial sweeteners, some consumers still debate or avoid products using alternative natural sweeteners like stevia.

Still a Candy/Treat

While healthier than other candy, unreal bars provide concentrated calories and fat without much nutritional density. Moderation is still key.

The Best and Worst Unreal Bar Flavors

With around a dozen flavor options available, choosing the right unreal bar matters. Here are some of the best and worst options:

Best - Unreal Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter

Winning high praise for its balance of rich chocolate and nutty peanut butter flavor, this option provides great taste with 17g plant-based protein and just 1g sugar.

Worst - Unreal White Chocolate Peanut Butter

Without the antioxidant benefits of cocoa and darker chocolate, the white chocolate flavor is more sweetness and calories without much nutritional benefit. The peanut butter still makes it a decent choice though.

Best - Unreal Chocolate Hazelnut

With a solid serving of protein and fiber plus cocoa flavanols and monounsaturated fats from the hazelnuts, this flavor nails a chocolate-nut balance.

Worst - Unreal Cookies and Cream

Lacking much protein or fiber and using corn syrup solids rather than allulose or stevia, this option misses the mark on nutrition versus indulgent flavor.

The Bottom Line on Unreal Bars

When a candy craving strikes, unreal bars make for a far healthier choice than traditional candy options. With ample protein and fiber plus lower sugar and calories, they offer fairly balanced nutrition for a treat. Moderation is still key however, as overdoing any candy still carries risks. But for the occasional indulgence, selecting the right unreal bar can let you satisfy your sweet tooth the smarter way.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.