Muscle & Fitness logo Muscle & Fitness

  • Workouts

    Workouts

    • Workout Routines
    • Workout Tips
    • Fitness
    • Athlete/Celebrity Workouts
    • Exercise Videos
    Find Exercises Targeting…
    • Abs and Core Exercises
    • Arm Exercises
    • Back Exercises
    • Chest Exercises
    • Leg Exercises
    • Shoulder Exercises
  • Nutrition

    Nutrition

    • Healthy Eating
    • Lose Fat
    • Gain Mass
    • Supplements
    • Performance Nutrition
    Leucine powder and supplement with chemical formula
    Healthy Eating

    Here's Why Leucine Matters in your Wellness Plan

    Healthy and delicious Cottage Cheese in a bowl
    Healthy Eating

    Why Cottage Cheese is Making a Resurgence

    Elderly japanese man eating with a young japanese boy practicing Hara Hachi Bu diet method
    Healthy Eating

    What is the hara hachi bu diet and how does it work?

    Girl holding a linear bar
    Healthy Eating

    Behind the Bar: Why Linear Bar’s Founder Decided the Protein Bar Industr...

  • Athletes & Celebrities

    Athletes & Celebrities

    • News
    • Interviews
    • Women
    • Pro Tips
    • Behind-the-Scenes
    • Videos
    Team USA USMNT makes history at the 2026 World Cup
    News

    Team USA Just Broke a 96-Year World Cup Record—and Fans Can’t Believe It...

    Cristiano Ronaldo during the 2026 World Cup practicing for his match against Uzbekistan
    News

    Is Cristiano Ronaldo’s World Cup Legacy on the Line?

    David Charvet and his son Shaya Charvet posing and showing their muscular physique
    Interviews

    Why Father’s Day Is Extra Rewarding for David Charvet

    Mitchell Hooper kissing his wife after a deadlift showdown at the Enhanced Games
    Pro Tips

    Mitchell Hooper Wants a Bigger Conversation Than Just Performance Enhanc...

  • Features

    Features

    • From our Partners
    • Active Lifestyle
    • M&F: Fit to Serve
    • Gear
    • News
    • Opinion
    Clock with a meal symoblizing Intermittent fasting and its benefits
    News

    Intermittent Fasting May Offer Benefits Besides Weight Loss

    National Men's mental health month and awareness symbolized with a blue ribbon
    News

    The Men’s Health Crisis Nobody Is Talking About: Why June Matters More T...

    Female checking her weight after a yo-yo diet
    News

    Do Yo-Yo Diets Really Ruin Your Metabolism?

    Thor Bjornsson at the Enhanced Games
    From our Partners

    The Enhanced Games Didn’t End the Debate. They Changed It.

  • Anti-Aging

    Anti-Aging

    • Functional Medicine
    • Hormone Optimization
    • Recovery
    • Wellness
    Director of Cornucopia Events Mini Vohra, a celebrity events strategist, Director of Cornucopia Events, British entrepreneur, and former barrister
    Wellness

    Longevity Is the New Luxury: Inside the $100K Biohacking Lifestyle

    Wellness retreat attendees performing yoga at SHA wellness retreat
    Wellness

    Can Your Biomarkers Build A Vacation Itinerary?

    Elderly man placing weights on a barbell
    Wellness

    Strength Training Is the New Anti-Aging Drug

    Supplement stack
    Functional Medicine

    The 5-Supplement Stack That Slows Aging and Boosts Muscle Growth

  • Flex

    Flex

    • Olympia Coverage
    • Athletes
    • Nutrition
    • Training
    • Videos
    William Bonac bodybuilder interview on a podcast
    News

    William Bonac Fires Back at Critics: 'My Physique Is Still Getting Bette...

    Bodybuilders Mike Mentzer and Dorian Yates training and mentoring the young bodybuilder on the Maximum Results training method
    Training

    Dorian Yates Shares How Mike Mentzer Still Inspires 'Maximum Results'

    Former Mr. Olympia winner Derek Lunsford trains Josema Beast’s back workout
    News

    Josema Beast Gets a Back Training Masterclass From Derek Lunsford

    TMP
    News

    Dennis James Says One Hour of This Could Have Changed His Career

  • Hers

    Hers

    • Workouts
    • Nutrition
    • Supplements
    • Athletes & Celebrities
    • Features
    Female bodybuilder Erin Stern performing her lower body workout and top 3 inner thigh exercises for a tone and sculpted legs
    Hers Workouts

    These 3 Exercises Will Transform Your Inner Thighs—Fast

    social media fitness influencer and inspirational personal trainer, Stephanie Sanzo performs her birthday leg day workout
    Hers Workouts

    Stephanie Sanzo Proves Age Is Just a Number Each Leg Day

    Fitness Coach Anna McManamey-Cashion shares her tips for a post-binge reset for fitness and a healthy gut
    Muscle & Fitness Hers

    3 Proven Post-Binge Tips to Get Back on Track Fast

    Tiffany Stratton
    Muscle & Fitness Hers

    Tiffany Stratton Is Prepping for Her Return to Another Stage

  • Olympia

    Olympia

    • Olympia Coverage
    • Buy Tickets
    Caesar Bacarella performing a dumbbell workout with biceps curls
    Pro Tips

    Caesar Bacarella Is Building a Fitness Empire at Full Speed

    Olympia-2019-Whiteny-Jones-Press-Conference
    Interviews

    Whitney Jones Can Break, But Can Never Be Broken

    IFBB Wellness Pro Yarishna Ayala
    Interviews

    Yarishna Ayala Shares Advice for Future Wellness Division Competitors

    2021 Mr. Olympia Top 3 winners Brandon Curry, Big Ramy, Hadi Choopin
    News

    BIG RAMY WINS THE 2021 OLYMPIA!

Subscribe to YouTube Subscribe to the Newsletter Terms of Use Privacy Policy Cookie Policy Accessibility Statement Do Not Sell
  • Workouts
    • Workout Routines
    • Workout Tips
    • Fitness
    • Athlete/Celebrity Workouts
    • Exercise Videos
  • Nutrition
    • Healthy Eating
    • Lose Fat
    • Gain Mass
    • Supplements
    • Performance Nutrition
  • Athletes & Celebrities
    • News
    • Interviews
    • Women
    • Pro Tips
    • Behind-the-Scenes
    • Videos
  • Features
    • From our Partners
    • Active Lifestyle
    • M&F: Fit to Serve
    • Gear
    • News
    • Opinion
  • Anti-Aging
    • Functional Medicine
    • Hormone Optimization
    • Recovery
    • Wellness
  • Flex
    • Olympia Coverage
    • Athletes
    • Nutrition
    • Training
    • Videos
  • Hers
    • Workouts
    • Nutrition
    • Supplements
    • Athletes & Celebrities
    • Features
  • Olympia
    • Olympia Coverage
    • Buy Tickets
  • Resources & Highlights
    • Topics
    • Videos
    • Podcasts
    • Contact
    • Terms of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Cookie Policy
    • Accessibility Statement
    • Do Not Sell

Stay Connected

Newsletter Signup

Stay up to date

Sign up below to receive our newest workout routines, recipes, news stories, and offers from our partners

Facebook Twitter Youtube Pinterest
Open menu button
Open search bar button
×

Search M&F

Featured Articles
Lean Muscle
Healthy Eating

28-Days-to-Lean Meal Plan

With the right plan and the right discipline, you can get seriously shredded in just 28 days.

Read article
Glamorous Hollywood actress in a black evening gown posing at a red carpet event, representing one of the hottest female celebrities in Hollywood
Women

The 25 Hottest Female Celebrities

Talented stars, killer physiques.

Read article
Bench press record holder Bill Gillespie breaking the world record at age 62
Pro Tips

The 'Dos' and 'Don’ts' of Bill Gillespie’s Record-Breaking Bench Press

At age 62, "Big Bill" shares his wisdom to dominate one of the ultimate strength marks.

Read article
The 50 Best Female Fitness Influencers on Instagram
Girls

The 50 Best Fitness Influencers on Instagram

Follow these fit women we're crushing on for inspiration, workout ideas, and motivation.

Read article
Healthy Eating

6 Best Candy Swaps

Crush your sweet tooth cravings with a macro-friendly candy swap.

by Courtney Anaya
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
Jars of candy
RD Whitcher / Getty
View Gallery

6 Best Candy Swaps

Close gallery popup button
1 OF 7

1 of 7

Jars of candy

RD Whitcher / Getty

When The Cravings Hit…

Simply put: Candy is bad for you. But there will be days when the Snickers bar is calling your name, and it seems a lot more appetizing than your rice puffs. A candy bar or rice puffs? The candy bar wins, but your physique soon won’t. But there’s light at the end of the tunnel—healthy candy that’s OK to indulge on. Click your way through these healthy alternatives to your favorite sweet-tooth goodies. 

2 of 7

Peanut butter cup chocolate candy

jjpoole / Getty

Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups

All someone has to say is chocolate and peanut butter, and you’re sold. It’s by far the best combo ever, and you don’t dare to look at the nutrition profile of a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup. Soon enough one of those turns into five, and you’re macros for the day are destroyed. Two cups pack 210 calories, 13g of fat, and 21g of sugar. Need we say more?The fix: UnReal Milk Chocolate Crispy Quinoa Peanut Butter Cups. One cup only contains 80 calories, 5g of fat, and 5g of sugar. The plus: It’s made with quinoa—hello muscle-building leucine. $17.97 for 3 bags, getunreal.com

3 of 7

Chocolate candy bar with bite taken out

Westend61 / Getty

Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Bar

All chocolate, nothing more—the ultimate way to satisfy any sweet tooth. While a Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Bar can get the job done, it will also cause an insulin spike when it’s not warranted—goodbye muscles.The fix: Hershey’s Special Dark Chocolate Mildly Sweet Chocolate Nuggets with Almonds. Four pieces contain 190 calories, 13g of fat, 21g of sugar, and 3g of protein. The added benefit of this candy is that each piece contains an almond. Almonds are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, and dark chocolate is a powerful source of antioxidants. Also keep in mind that moderation is key. 

4 of 7

Gummy bear candies

Melissa Ross / Getty

Haribo Gold-Bears Gummi Candy

Gummi bears are the a prime choice for when you’re craving something fruity, yet Haribo Gold Bears Gummi Candy are made with ingredients that will sabotage your physique—even if the serving size is just 17 pieces. The ingredients list reads: corn syrup, sugar, gelatin, dextrose, citric acid, corn starch, artificial and natural flavors, fractionated coconut oil, carnauba wax, beeswax coating, and artificial colors Yellow 5, Red 40, and Blue 1. Do you really want to ingest all of that?The fix: Nuts.com‘s Organic Gummy Bears. These bears are made with organic rice syrup, organic cane sugar, gelatin, organic carrot juice, organic aronia juice, organic black currant, organic cucuma, natural flavor, citric acid, ascorbic acid, and organic sunflower oil. Isn’t it nice to come across something that doesn’t have Red 40 or artificial flavors?Price varies depending on size, nuts.com

5 of 7

M&M candies in a bowl

Charley Gallay / Stringer / Getty

M&M’s Milk Chocolate

Portion control can be totally lost with these chocolate-covered crunchy pieces—five will soon be 35. One serving size of M&M’s Milk Chocolate contains 240 calories, 10g of fat (6g sat fat), and 30g of sugar.The fix: UnReal Candy Coated Milk Chocolates. Forty pieces will only give you 170 calories, 7g of fat (4g sat fat), and 15g of sugar. That’s almost half of the amount of calories and sugar compared to M&M’s. 3 bags for $17.97, mms.com

6 of 7

3 Musketeers chocolate candy bar

The Washington Post / Contributor / Getty

3 Musketeers Bar

Do you really need to consume that large 3 Musketeers bar?The fix: Save yourself on this one and opt for the minis. This chocolate is actually considered the healthiest among chocolates because it’s lower in fat. While one large bar contains 240 calories, 7g of fat, and 36g of sugar, seven mini pieces contain only 170 calories, 5g of fat, and 27g of sugar. 

7 of 7

caramel chocolate bar

4kodiak / Getty

Snickers Bar

Everyone loves the classic Snickers bar. Yet one bar packs a punch: 215 calories, 11g of fat, and 20g of sugar. The fix: Make your own. This recipe comes from Detoxinista.com. 

What you’ll need

Makes six full-size bar or 12 minisFor the nougat1/2 cup creamy almond butter2 tbsp maple syrup1 tbsp coconut flourFor the caramel filling12 soft Medjool dates, pitted (about 3/4 cup packed)1/3 cup water1/4 tsp salt1/2 tsp vanilla extract1 tbsp coconut oil, melted1/4 cup chopped peanutsFor chocolate coating1 cup dark chocolate chunks1 tsp coconut oil

Directions

For the nougat layer, combine the almond butter, coconut flour, and maple syrup in a bowl. Then press the dough onto a baking sheet that’s lined with wax paper—creating a rectangular shape for the dough. It should be 1/2-inch thick. Place in freezer to set. While that is freezing, combine the dates, salt, vanilla, and coconut oil, and water in a blender. Blend until smooth and creamy. Remove the nougat from the freezer and spread the caramel filling on top. Next, spread chopped almonds on top, and put it back in the freezer for 30 minutes. For the chocolate coating, mix the chocolate chunks and coconut oil in a bowl and melt it in the microwave. Then remove the bars from the freezer and slice into six or 12 bars. Spread the chocolate on the bars, and return them back to the freezer for 15 minutes. 

Back to intro

When The Cravings Hit...

Simply put: Candy is bad for you. But there will be days when the Snickers bar is calling your name, and it seems a lot more appetizing than your rice puffs. A candy bar or rice puffs? The candy bar wins, but your physique soon won’t. But there’s light at the end of the tunnel—healthy candy that’s OK to indulge on. Click your way through these healthy alternatives to your favorite sweet-tooth goodies. 

Reese's Peanut Butter Cups

All someone has to say is chocolate and peanut butter, and you’re sold. It’s by far the best combo ever, and you don’t dare to look at the nutrition profile of a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup. Soon enough one of those turns into five, and you’re macros for the day are destroyed. Two cups pack 210 calories, 13g of fat, and 21g of sugar. Need we say more?

The fix: UnReal Milk Chocolate Crispy Quinoa Peanut Butter Cups. One cup only contains 80 calories, 5g of fat, and 5g of sugar. The plus: It’s made with quinoa—hello muscle-building leucine. 

$17.97 for 3 bags, getunreal.com

Hershey's Milk Chocolate Bar

All chocolate, nothing more—the ultimate way to satisfy any sweet tooth. While a Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Bar can get the job done, it will also cause an insulin spike when it’s not warranted—goodbye muscles.

The fix: Hershey’s Special Dark Chocolate Mildly Sweet Chocolate Nuggets with Almonds. Four pieces contain 190 calories, 13g of fat, 21g of sugar, and 3g of protein. The added benefit of this candy is that each piece contains an almond. Almonds are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, and dark chocolate is a powerful source of antioxidants. Also keep in mind that moderation is key. 

Haribo Gold-Bears Gummi Candy

Gummi bears are the a prime choice for when you’re craving something fruity, yet Haribo Gold Bears Gummi Candy are made with ingredients that will sabotage your physique—even if the serving size is just 17 pieces. The ingredients list reads: corn syrup, sugar, gelatin, dextrose, citric acid, corn starch, artificial and natural flavors, fractionated coconut oil, carnauba wax, beeswax coating, and artificial colors Yellow 5, Red 40, and Blue 1. Do you really want to ingest all of that?

The fix: Nuts.com‘s Organic Gummy Bears. These bears are made with organic rice syrup, organic cane sugar, gelatin, organic carrot juice, organic aronia juice, organic black currant, organic cucuma, natural flavor, citric acid, ascorbic acid, and organic sunflower oil. Isn’t it nice to come across something that doesn’t have Red 40 or artificial flavors?

Price varies depending on size, nuts.com

M&M's Milk Chocolate

Portion control can be totally lost with these chocolate-covered crunchy pieces—five will soon be 35. One serving size of M&M’s Milk Chocolate contains 240 calories, 10g of fat (6g sat fat), and 30g of sugar.

The fix: UnReal Candy Coated Milk Chocolates. Forty pieces will only give you 170 calories, 7g of fat (4g sat fat), and 15g of sugar. That’s almost half of the amount of calories and sugar compared to M&M’s. 

3 bags for $17.97, mms.com

3 Musketeers Bar

Do you really need to consume that large 3 Musketeers bar?

The fix: Save yourself on this one and opt for the minis. This chocolate is actually considered the healthiest among chocolates because it’s lower in fat. While one large bar contains 240 calories, 7g of fat, and 36g of sugar, seven mini pieces contain only 170 calories, 5g of fat, and 27g of sugar. 

Snickers Bar

Everyone loves the classic Snickers bar. Yet one bar packs a punch: 215 calories, 11g of fat, and 20g of sugar. 

The fix: Make your own. This recipe comes from Detoxinista.com. 

What you’ll need

Makes six full-size bar or 12 minis

For the nougat

  • 1/2 cup creamy almond butter
  • 2 tbsp maple syrup
  • 1 tbsp coconut flour

For the caramel filling

  • 12 soft Medjool dates, pitted (about 3/4 cup packed)
  • 1/3 cup water
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tbsp coconut oil, melted
  • 1/4 cup chopped peanuts

For chocolate coating

  • 1 cup dark chocolate chunks
  • 1 tsp coconut oil

Directions

For the nougat layer, combine the almond butter, coconut flour, and maple syrup in a bowl. Then press the dough onto a baking sheet that’s lined with wax paper—creating a rectangular shape for the dough. It should be 1/2-inch thick. Place in freezer to set. While that is freezing, combine the dates, salt, vanilla, and coconut oil, and water in a blender. Blend until smooth and creamy. Remove the nougat from the freezer and spread the caramel filling on top. Next, spread chopped almonds on top, and put it back in the freezer for 30 minutes. For the chocolate coating, mix the chocolate chunks and coconut oil in a bowl and melt it in the microwave. Then remove the bars from the freezer and slice into six or 12 bars. Spread the chocolate on the bars, and return them back to the freezer for 15 minutes. 

Topics:
  • Build Muscle
  • Diet
  • Fat Loss
  • Healthy Foods
Author picture
Written by Courtney Anaya
Also by Courtney Anaya
Walnuts
Healthy Eating

7 Low-Calorie Snacks for Fitness Enthusiasts

Superfoods to Prevent Cold and Flu
Healthy Eating

10 Superfoods to Eat During Cold and Flu Season

Newsletter Signup

Stay up to date

Sign up below to receive our newest workout routines, recipes, news stories, and offers from our partners

Muscle & Fitness logo

Follow us

Facebook Twitter Youtube Pinterest

More news

Leucine powder and supplement with chemical formula
Healthy Eating

Here's Why Leucine Matters in your Wellness Plan

Research now shows how this essential amino acid can power-up the mitochondria.

Read article
Healthy and delicious Cottage Cheese in a bowl
Healthy Eating

Why Cottage Cheese is Making a Resurgence

The protein-packed curd is back and more popular than ever. Here’s how to pick the right one for you.

Read article
Elderly japanese man eating with a young japanese boy practicing Hara Hachi Bu diet method
Healthy Eating

What is the hara hachi bu diet and how does it work?

The traditional Japanese practice could drop excess fat without the extremes.

Read article
All Healthy Eating
  1. Home
  2. /
  3. Nutrition
  4. /
  5. Healthy Eating
  6. /
  7. 6 Best Candy Swaps
Muscle & Fitness logo
  • Workouts
  • Nutrition
  • Athletes & Celebrities
  • Features
  • Recipes
  • Topics
  • Videos
  • Exercise Videos
  • Podcasts
  • RSS Feed
  • Buy Olympia Tickets
  • Archives
  • Sitemap
Facebook Twitter Youtube Pinterest

Newsletter Signup

Stay up to date

Sign up below to receive our newest workout routines, recipes, news stories, and offers from our partners

JW Media, LLC

Copyright 2026 JW Media, LLC, parent company of Muscle & Fitness. All rights reserved.

Contact Us Terms of Use Privacy Policy Cookie Policy Do Not Sell Accessibility Statement