You could say that dates are natures’ candy, while Snickers bars are like America’s candy.

I definitely prefer to go the au naturale route on this one. But for shits and giggles; let’s duke it out:

They’re both sweet and taste like creamy caramel, but dates contain low-glycemic natural sugars, while Snickers bars contains corn syrup and processed sugar to send your blood sugar and insulin production into overdrive. Dates 1, Snickers 0.

Dates are easily digestible by the body and provide fiber, which aids in digestion, lowering cholesterol, and heart health. They also have a host of amino acids, vitamins and minerals including B vitamins, which aid in the metabolism of food and production of new blood cells. Snickers Bars contains zero vitamins and virtually any minerals and instead are filled with partially hydrogenated soybean oil. This is a type of trans-fat that is responsible for increased level of blood cholesterol and an increased risk in heart disease. Dates 2, Snickers 0.

A study from the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology published in the 2009 issue of the “Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry” found that dates can lower triglyceride levels, which is a type of fat found in the blood. Consuming dates can lower these levels by 8-15 percent, reducing the risk of hardened arteries, obesity, heart disease, stroke, and other chronic diseases. On the other hand, because of all the processed sugar that Snickers’ bars contain, insulin ends up storing it as triglycerides, therefore creating more fat in the blood. Obviously this one is Dates 3, Snickers 0.

Dates deliver an immediate boost of energy, as their natural sugars are easily digested in the body quickly and efficiently. While eating a Snickers will do just the opposite in your body. Sugar quickly flows through your blood, which causes sudden spikes and drops in blood sugar levels. This means that the Snickers sugar crash is inevitable. Dates 4, Snickers 0.

I’m going to call this one another little victory for Mother Nature. Yay dates!

This is a 2 ingredient Snickers candy bite compliments of Mejdool dates and creamy almond butter. And yes, it tastes like a Snickers bar. These provide the perfect quick energy boost or the most delightful little dessert.

Snickers Date Bites

12 Medjool dates 3-4 T creamy or crunchy almond butter

Using a pairing knife, carefully slice halfway through the center of the date and remove the pit. Use a butter knife and spread some almond butter into the center. Combine the two halves and repeat with remaining dates. Store in the refrigerator and enjoy!