Are protein bars worth it, or are they just candy?

Both exist, and one number tells them apart: protein density — protein relative to calories. A bar with 20g of protein and 200 calories is a genuine snack; the same 20g wrapped in 400 calories of sugar and fat is dessert with a health halo. Read the protein, the calories, and the sugar-alcohol line (the "low sugar" trick), then check dollars per 20g against a box. For a low appetite, a bar's real advantage is that you will actually finish it — 20g eaten beats a scoop you skip. Taste we report as consensus, clearly labeled as reported experience.