While hustle culture has bitterly taken over our lives, even when some of us are working from home, the energy bar market has boomed. Hustle culture advertises an (unhealthy) lifestyle of accomplishing everything constantly, yet there are often critical things that fall by the wayside—meals included. 

While deliciously nutrient-rich meals have been replaced with 200-something calorie-packed brick-shaped bars, there is a silver lining, and it's the packaging. Energy bars exist to convince you of something, whether it's how delicious they are, how protein-packed they are, or how you won't even miss your typical, delightful lunch. Each bar's packaging exists to share the brand's message quickly, and I'd argue that protein bars, of all products, have the most convincing to do as meal replacement is not an easy sell. 

I've rounded up twenty energy bars that each feature gorgeous, compelling, if not convincing, packaging designs. In addition, each is unique, creating a comprehensive list highlighting the importance of storytelling through packaging design. 

Meat Studio Rebrands Mid-Day Squares To Highlight Brand’s Dynamic Personality

Gander's Packaging Design For Lupii Gives You A Burst Of Energy Before You Even Take A Bite

JKR's Over Easy Is Making Us Drool Over Typography, Let Alone The Nutritional Breakfast Bars

You Already Know KIND Bars; Now, Meet The Ice Cream Version

Pangaia Breaks Into the Food Biz With Carbon-Neutral Energy Bar

Forget The Bowl: Magic Spoon Releases a Cereal Bar

TONE BAR Branding & Packaging Design Sets The Bar For Bar Packaging

ELAVI's Gender-Neutral Packaging System Elevates The Snack Market

Hunger Craft’s New Brand For CHOMP! Bites Back Against Sugarcoating

Smpl Functional Snack Bars Designed By SDCO Embrace The Simplicity

Make No More Food Compromises Thanks To 88 Acres

Take a Bite Out Of Byte Bars' Packaging By The Office Of Ordinary Things

Get Your Gym Snack Bar On

Motivational Energy Bars With Instagram AR Filter Capabilities

Take A Bite Out Of Bunch Bar

Oorah Protein Bars And Powders Will Make You Smile

Wildbars Are Natural Protein Bars With Vibrant Tendencies

R.A.W Life Branding Speaks To The Straight-Forward Nature Of It's Ingredients

How Design Nourishes the Bottom Line: The Story of ThinkThin’s Radical Transformation

RXBAR Kids Wants To Give Your Little Ones a Snack With "No B.S."