M&Ms are a popular chocolate candy that comes in a variety of flavors and sizes. The mini M&Ms are a fun size version of the classic candy coated chocolate pieces. But how many calories are actually in a mini bag of mini M&Ms?
Calories in Mini M&Ms
The calorie count for mini M&Ms can vary slightly depending on the exact product. Here is the nutrition information for some common mini M&M products:
1.8 oz Mini Bag
A standard 1.8 ounce bag of original mini M&Ms contains about:
- 220 calories
- 10g fat
- 27g carbs
- 1g protein
So a regular mini bag of original mini M&Ms has 220 calories total.
2.83 oz Party Size Bag
The larger 2.83 ounce “party size” bag of mini M&Ms contains around:
- 350 calories
- 16g fat
- 43g carbs
- 2g protein
So the party size has about 350 calories.
1.5 oz Snack Size Bag
The smaller “snack size” 1.5 ounce bags have approximately:
- 190 calories
- 9g fat
- 24g carbs
- 1g protein
The snack size has 190 calories.
Nutrition Facts Table
Here is a table summarizing the nutrition facts for the different mini M&M sizes:
| Mini M&Ms | Serving Size | Calories | Fat (g) | Carbs (g) | Protein (g) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regular Bag | 1.8 oz (52g) | 220 | 10 | 27 | 1 |
| Party Size Bag | 2.83 oz (80g) | 350 | 16 | 43 | 2 |
| Snack Size Bag | 1.5 oz (43g) | 190 | 9 | 24 | 1 |
Daily Calorie Needs
To put the calorie counts in perspective, here is how the mini M&Ms bags compare to recommended daily calorie intake:
Women
The recommended daily calorie intake for moderately active women is around 2000-2400 calories. So a mini bag of mini M&Ms provides about:
- 11% of daily calories (220 calorie bag)
- 15% of daily calories (190 calorie snack size)
- 17% of daily calories (350 calorie party size)
Men
For moderately active men, the recommended intake is 2400-3000 calories per day. A mini bag makes up:
- 9% of daily calories (220 calorie bag)
- 8% of daily calories (190 calorie snack size)
- 13% of daily calories (350 calorie party size)
So while mini M&Ms make a nice small treat, they still contribute a substantial number of calories depending on the size of the bag.
Serving Size
It’s important to pay attention to the serving size when eating mini M&Ms. The nutrition information is based on the stated serving size amount. If you eat multiple servings in one sitting, you may end up consuming significantly more calories, fat, carbs, etc.
For example, the regular 1.8 oz mini bag is one serving. But if you ate two regular bags at 150% of the serving size, you would take in 330 calories total.
The American Heart Association recommends limiting added sugars to no more than 6 teaspoons (25 grams) per day for women and 9 teaspoons (36 grams) for men. A single mini M&Ms bag contains around 5-8 teaspoons of added sugar already, so portion sizes matter.
Ingredients in Mini M&Ms
In addition to calories, mini M&Ms contain various ingredients including:
- Milk chocolate – cocoa butter, chocolate, skim milk, lactose, milkfat, soy lecithin, PGPR (emulsifier)
- Sugar – provides sweetness
- Cornstarch – thickening agent
- Less than 2% – wheat starch, gum acacia, artificial colors (Blue 1 Lake, Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1), carnauba wax
So the candy coating contains milk chocolate, sugar, and small amounts of starch, wax, and artificial coloring. The mini M&Ms are not vegan or dairy-free.
Mini M&Ms vs Regular M&Ms
How do the mini M&Ms compare to regular sized M&Ms nutrition-wise? Here’s a breakdown:
Mini M&Ms
1.8 oz bag of mini M&Ms:
- 220 calories
- 10g fat
- 27g carbs
- 1g protein
Regular M&Ms
1.74 oz bag of regular M&Ms:
- 240 calories
- 8g fat
- 37g carbs
- 2g protein
The regular M&Ms have slightly more calories and carbs compared to the mini version. However, the differences are relatively small. The mini M&Ms have more fat than the regular size.
Peanut M&Ms vs Mini M&Ms
How does the nutrition info compare between mini M&Ms and peanut M&Ms?
Peanut M&Ms
1.74 oz bag of peanut M&Ms:
- 250 calories
- 13g fat
- 28g carbs
- 5g protein
Mini M&Ms
1.8 oz bag of mini M&Ms:
- 220 calories
- 10g fat
- 27g carbs
- 1g protein
The peanut M&Ms contain more calories, fat, and protein compared to the mini M&Ms. However the carb content is fairly close between the two varieties.
Other Mini Candy Options
In addition to mini M&Ms, other popular mini candy options include:
Mini Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
- 90 calories per cup
- 120-140 calories per package (2 cups)
- 7-9g fat
- 11-15g carbs
- 2g protein
Mini Snickers
- 80 calories per bar
- 12g carbs
- 4g fat
- 1g protein
Mini Twix
- 70 calories per cookie
- 9g fat
- 10g carbs
- 1g protein
These mini candy bars tend to be similar or slightly lower in calories compared to mini M&Ms. But they also contain more fat due to ingredients like chocolate and peanut butter.
Ways to Enjoy Mini M&Ms
Here are some tasty ways to enjoy mini M&Ms in moderation:
- Sprinkle them on top of ice cream or frozen yogurt
- Mix them into trail mix or granola
- Add them to peanut butter sandwiches for crunch
- Stir them into batter for cookies or brownies
- Top cupcakes or cake pops with them
- Use them as decorations for baked goods
Mini M&Ms can add color, texture, and chocolatey flavor to many desserts or snacks. Just be mindful of portion sizes whenever enjoying these bite-sized candies.
Conclusion
Mini M&Ms provide a tasty dose of chocolate in a petite serving size. The standard mini bags contain 190-220 calories, with larger party sizes over 300 calories. Mini M&Ms supply mostly carbohydrates and fat, with minimal protein.
When eaten in moderation, mini M&Ms can be part of an overall balanced diet. But be cautious of eating too many servings, as the calories and sugar can add up quickly. Focus on controlling portion sizes to keep the calorie count reasonable.
