Breaking Down the Sugar in UNREAL Snacks
UNREAL's mission is to create chocolate snacks with real ingredients and significantly less sugar, but the exact sugar content is not uniform across its product range. Instead, the nutritional information is specific to each product, and a consumer needs to examine each one individually to know the exact amount. The brand highlights that they use no artificial sweeteners or sugar alcohols, opting for real cane or coconut sugar. This provides a better-for-you alternative to many mainstream candy bars, which often contain high-fructose corn syrup and other additives.
Sugar content of popular UNREAL products
- Dark Chocolate Coconut Bars: These popular vegan bars contain only 3 grams of sugar per bar. They are made with just three simple ingredients: organic coconut, dark chocolate, and organic cassava syrup.
- Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups: Each individual peanut butter cup has 5 grams of sugar. This represents a significant reduction compared to many conventional nut butter cups.
- Dark Chocolate Peanut Gems: A 30g serving (about 13 pieces) of these candy-coated chocolates contains 13 grams of sugar, with 12 grams being added sugars.
- Milk Chocolate Gems: A 30g serving (about 35 pieces) of the classic milk chocolate gems has 14 grams of sugar, including 11 grams of added sugars.
- Dark Chocolate Crispy Quinoa Gems: A 30g serving of the crispy quinoa gems contains 15 grams of total sugar, all of which are added sugars.
- Dark Chocolate Caramel Peanut Nougat Bars: The nougat bars contain 6 grams of sugar per bar. This is marketed as 40% less sugar than the leading traditional nougat bar.
UNREAL vs. Conventional Candy: A sugar comparison
To understand the appeal of UNREAL, it's helpful to compare its sugar levels to those of well-known candy brands. UNREAL's focus on transparency and lower sugar content is a core part of its brand identity, as confirmed on its website. The company often states its products contain up to 51% less sugar than their mainstream counterparts.
| Product Category | UNREAL Product (Serving) | UNREAL Sugar (grams) | Conventional Competitor (Serving) | Competitor Sugar (grams) | Sugar Difference (UNREAL vs. Competitor) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peanut Butter Cups | Dark Chocolate PB Cup (1 cup) | 5g | Reese's Peanut Butter Cup (1 cup) | 10g | 5g less |
| Coconut Bar | Dark Chocolate Coconut Bar (1 bar) | 3g | Mounds Bar (1 bar) | N/A (higher) | Up to 51% less |
| Nougat Bar | Caramel Peanut Nougat Bar (1 bar) | 6g | Snickers (1 bar) | N/A (higher) | 40% less |
| Chocolate Gems | Milk Chocolate Gems (30g) | 14g | M&M's Plain (30g) | 17-20g (estimated) | Less sugar |
Note: Conventional sugar content is based on available data and may vary by region and specific formulation. The figures shown illustrate the general differences noted by UNREAL and third-party reviews.
The larger context of UNREAL's ingredients
Beyond just the quantity of sugar, UNREAL's ingredient list is a key selling point. The brand avoids artificial colorings, which are replaced with plant-based sources like spirulina and beets. They are also certified gluten-free, use fair-trade certified ingredients, and contain no soy ingredients or sugar alcohols. This commitment to simpler, cleaner ingredients is what sets them apart from the competition and provides value for health-conscious consumers. The brand's focus on taste and better ingredients has helped it grow its market share in the snack industry, proving that consumers are willing to pay more for quality products. A more detailed overview of their philosophy can be found on their official site, About Us - UNREAL.
Conclusion: A sweet spot for mindful indulgence
In conclusion, the amount of sugar in UNREAL products varies depending on the specific item, but consistently remains lower than conventional alternatives. The brand offers a range of options, from a mere 3 grams per dark chocolate coconut bar to around 15 grams per serving in its gems. By providing this transparency and committing to simple, high-quality ingredients, UNREAL offers a mindful way to enjoy classic candy flavors without the excess sugar, artificial dyes, and preservatives found in other products. The exact sugar count for a specific product is always listed on the packaging and the official website, allowing consumers to make an informed choice based on their dietary needs.
