It can be tempting to reach for a chocolate bar in the afternoon to provide a burst of sugar to get you through your workday. If you enjoy the combination of chocolate, nougat and caramel, a Mars bar might be your first choice.

Chocolate was once considered a guilty pleasure, but according to 2009 information from Harvard Medical School, there is now an awareness of the health benefits of dark chocolate -- as long as it is consumed in moderation.

The glycemic index is a measurement scale from 1 to 100 that rates foods based on how they affect blood sugar. High-glycemic foods, which are 70 and higher on the scale, spike your blood sugar the fastest. Medium-glycemic foods range from 56 to 69, and low-glycemic foods are 55 and under.

Snacks are an important part of a healthy diet for children, teens and adults. Choosing healthy snacks can be helpful if you are trying to manage your weight, lessen hunger between meals and boost energy. Small, low-fat snacks, eaten throughout the day, may reduce cravings, hunger and impulsive eating.

You have a variety of options when you purchase peanut butter. Peanut butter can be hydrogenated, partially hydrogenated and unrefined. The unrefined peanut butter is made of just peanuts that have been crushed. The oil in this type of peanut butter will separate from the peanuts and must be stirred back in.

Most people like to indulge in a candy bar now and then, but doing so regularly has negative effects on your health. Candy is high in sugar and many types also contain unhealthy amounts of fat and calories. Sweets often contain no nutrients, making them empty calories that contribute to health problems.

Nabisco, the maker of Honey Maid Graham Crackers, has refined the graham cracker recipe to make its crackers a major kitchen staple. Honey Maid Graham Crackers can be eaten as a snack, and also crushed and used to make pie crusts, and as a topping for puddings and pies.

Native to South America, peanuts are now grown throughout the world and make up a staple in the average American diet. Most peanut products feature roasted peanuts, which have a richer flavor than raw peanuts, but raw varieties are available at bulk stores, health food stores and some grocery stores.

Cineplex Theaters are found throughout the country. Given that they specialize in first-run movies, the odds are good that you've already been in one of them. Popcorn in Cineplex Theaters can be tempting, especially if you're in the habit of snacking on popcorn while watching the movie.

Dental pain can make your life miserable. Eating and talking can be difficult when your mouth hurts. Chipped teeth, swollen gums, and sensitivity to hot and cold are relatively common dental complaints. Aches and pain in the jawbone and gums are also common discomforts.

When you purchase an iced cap from Tim Horton’s, you are given the choice of cream, 2 percent milk or 1 percent chocolate milk as the dairy base for this beverage. Depending on the type of dairy you choose, the amounts of different nutrients vary significantly in the iced cap.

The USDA reports that American adults get a substantial 24 percent of total calories from snacks. The right snacks not only help you meet your nutrient needs, but can also reduce hunger and help you control your weight.