6 Candy Bars You Must Avoid at All Costs

Candy bars are often seen as a guilty pleasure, offering a quick burst of sweetness but typically loaded with sugar, fat, and artificial additives. While occasional indulgence is fine for most people, some candy bars stand out for all the wrong reasons—packing excessive calories, unhealthy fats, and chemical-laden ingredients that offer little to no nutritional value. For those who are health-conscious or trying to maintain a balanced diet, certain options in the candy aisle should be approached with caution—or avoided entirely.

Butterfinger – A Crunchy Culprit

Butterfinger is known for its crunchy peanut butter core and crisp outer shell, but beneath its appealing texture lies a nutrition profile that raises red flags. A standard-sized bar contains approximately 270 calories, 11 grams of fat, and an alarming 29 grams of sugar. What's more, the ingredient list includes partially hydrogenated oils—which are sources of trans fats—artificial flavorings, and high fructose corn syrup. These components contribute to what many experts consider empty calories, offering energy without essential nutrients. The refined sugars and processed oils in Butterfinger can also be taxing on the body’s metabolism.

Milky Way – Deceptively Sweet

At first glance, Milky Way might seem like a lighter option due to its soft nougat and caramel layers, but it’s far from a healthy choice. One regular-sized bar contains about 31 grams of sugar and nearly 8 grams of saturated fat—both of which can quickly add up toward your daily limits. Its formulation includes hydrogenated oils and corn syrup, making it a poor pick for individuals concerned about weight management, blood sugar control, or cardiovascular health.

3 Musketeers – Light in Name Only

Marketed as a "lighter" alternative thanks to its airy nougat filling, 3 Musketeers can be misleading. Although it has fewer calories than some competitors, it still delivers a staggering 36 grams of sugar per bar. With zero fiber and minimal protein or healthy fats, this candy bar causes rapid fluctuations in blood sugar levels—spiking energy briefly before crashing, leaving you hungry for more. Its fluffy consistency also makes it easy to consume multiple servings without realizing how much sugar you've actually eaten.

Baby Ruth – Packed with Pitfalls

Baby Ruth combines chocolate, peanuts, nougat, and caramel into one dense bar, but the nutritional cost is high. Each bar brings around 300 calories, 14 grams of fat, and over 27 grams of sugar. While peanuts do provide some protein, they’re vastly outweighed by added sugars and hydrogenated oils. Moreover, the bar is highly processed and filled with preservatives and artificial ingredients, making it one of the least nutritious choices among mainstream candy bars.

Reese’s Fast Break – Overloaded Peanut Butter Treat

Reese’s Fast Break is a denser, richer version of the classic peanut butter cup experience. However, this bar comes with 350 calories, 18 grams of fat, and more than 30 grams of sugar per serving. While it does contain some protein from peanut butter, the benefits are overshadowed by the excessive amounts of sugar, saturated fat, and artificial flavors. The larger size also encourages overeating, making it a risky option for those monitoring their calorie intake.

Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Bar (King Size) – Classic But Calorie-Dense

The King Size version of Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Bar may be iconic, but it's anything but healthy. It packs a whopping 420 calories, 24 grams of fat, and 45 grams of sugar in a single serving. While it lists milk chocolate as the main ingredient, it also contains milk fat, soy lecithin, and artificial flavorings. Without any fiber or protein to slow digestion, this bar can cause a sharp spike in blood glucose levels—especially dangerous for individuals with diabetes or insulin resistance.

In summary, while these candy bars may satisfy a sweet craving in the moment, their long-term impact on health is significant. High in sugar, saturated fat, and artificial additives, they offer little in terms of nutrition and can negatively affect energy levels, heart health, and metabolic function. Choosing alternatives made with natural sweeteners, whole ingredients, or lower sugar content can help satisfy cravings without compromising well-being.