For many people, knowing the calorie count of the foods they eat is an important part of maintaining a healthy diet. When you’re trying to lose weight, counting calories can help ensure you’re not consuming more energy than you burn each day. Even if you’re not actively dieting, understanding calorie amounts is key to balancing your nutrition.
With so many different candy options to choose from, it can be tricky to pinpoint just how many calories are packed into each tasty treat. Milky Way minis are a popular pick for satisfying a sweet tooth without going overboard. But how many calories are actually in one mini Milky Way bar? Let’s take a closer look.
What is a Milky Way Mini?
Milky Way is a brand of chocolate bar made by Mars, Incorporated. Milky Way bars feature a nougat topped with caramel and covered with milk chocolate. The traditional Milky Way bar contains 260 calories.
Milky Way also offers a smaller, bite-sized version called Milky Way Midnight Minis. These contain 90 calories each. As the name suggests, Milky Way Minis are even smaller in size. Milky Way Minis are about half the weight of the Midnight Minis version.
So what’s the difference between a regular-sized Milky Way bar and a mini? Here’s a quick comparison:
| Candy Bar | Serving Size | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| Milky Way Bar (regular) | 1 bar (58 g) | 260 calories |
| Milky Way Midnight Mini | 1 bar (15.6 g) | 90 calories |
| Milky Way Mini | 1 bar (7.8 g) | 45 calories |
As you can see, the mini Milky Way clocks in at just 45 calories per fun size bar, compared to 260 calories in a full bar. This makes it a lighter option for curbing a candy craving.
Nutrition Facts for Milky Way Minis
To determine the calorie count of Milky Way minis accurately, let’s take a look at the nutrition facts label.
Nutrition information on food packaging is provided per serving size. For Milky Way Minis, the serving size is one unwrapped mini bar weighing 7.8 grams.
Here are the nutrition facts for a single Milky Way Mini:
| Nutrition Facts | Serving Size 1 bar (7.8 g) |
|---|---|
| Amount Per Serving | |
| Calories | 45 |
| Total Fat 2.5g | 4% |
| Saturated Fat 1g | 5% |
| Trans Fat 0g | |
| Cholesterol 0mg | 0% |
| Sodium 15mg | 1% |
| Total Carbohydrate 7g | 2% |
| – Dietary Fiber 0g | 0% |
| – Total Sugars 7g | |
| Protein 0g |
As listed under the “Calories” row, one Milky Way Mini contains 45 calories. So if you eat a single fun size bar, you are consuming 45 calories. This will be important to remember when counting your daily calorie intake.
Calorie Count Breakdown
Now that we know a Milky Way Mini has 45 calories total, let’s examine the calorie breakdown from the different nutritional components:
- Fat: There are 2.5 grams total fat in a Milky Way Mini. Fat provides 9 calories per gram, so 2.5 grams of fat equals about 23 calories from fat.
- Carbohydrates: There are 7 grams total carbohydrates. Carbs contain 4 calories per gram, so 7 grams of carbs equals about 28 calories from carbohydrates.
- Protein: A Milky Way Mini contains 0 grams of protein. Since protein has 4 calories per gram, the protein content contributes 0 calories.
Adding up the calories from fat (23), carbs (28), and protein (0), we get the total of 45 calories in a single mini Milky Way bar.
Milky Way Mini Ingredients
To better understand where those 45 calories come from, let’s look at what goes into making a Milky Way Mini.
According to the ingredient list, Milky Way Minis contain:
- Milk chocolate (sugar, cocoa butter, chocolate, skim milk, lactose, milkfat, soy lecithin, PGPR)
- Corn syrup
- Sugar
- Partially hydrogenated palm kernel oil
- Skim milk
- Whey powder
- Palm oil
- Salt
- Artificial and natural flavors
The main sources of calories come from the chocolate coating (milk chocolate), corn syrup, and sugar. The chocolate contributes fat and carbohydrates, while the corn syrup and sugar add extra carbohydrates and calories.
Daily Calorie Needs
To put the 45 calories in a Milky Way Mini into context, let’s see how that fits into the average daily calorie needs:
- Women:
- Sedentary – 2,000 calories/day
- Moderately Active – 2,200 calories/day
- Active – 2,400 calories/day
- Men:
- Sedentary – 2,500 calories/day
- Moderately Active – 2,800 calories/day
- Active – 3,000 calories/day
As you can see, 45 calories is only about 2% of the recommended daily intake for an average sedentary adult. For an active child or small woman, 45 calories would account for up to 4% of the daily needs.
So while Milky Way Minis are low in calories compared to some other candy bar options, the calories can add up if you eat more than one. Consuming too many extra calories from sugar and fat can hinder weight loss efforts.
Benefits of Moderation
When eaten in moderation, an occasional fun size candy bar like a Milky Way Mini can be part of a healthy diet. The key is balance and portion control.
Benefits of keeping your candy intake in check include:
- Preventing excess calorie intake
- Avoiding sugar spikes and crashes
- Limiting fat intake from chocolate
- Keeping your sweet treat consumption in balance with nutritious foods
Sticking to the 45 calorie mini size, rather than a full 260 calorie bar, makes it easier to enjoy your candy without overdoing it on the sugar.
Weight Loss Implications
When trying to lose weight, a Milky Way Mini can fit into your daily calories if you account for it. But be careful of letting candy like this make up too much of your daily intake.
To lose 1 pound per week, you need a calorie deficit of 500 calories per day. A Milky Way Mini at 45 calories is just under 10% of that deficit. So if weight loss is your goal, consume these in moderation and offset those calories by cutting back elsewhere or burning extra calories through activity.
The small amount of protein and fiber in a Milky Way Mini means it is not very filling. Pairing it with fruit, veggies, or other protein sources can help increase satisfaction.
Conclusion
So how many calories are in a Milky Way Mini? A single fun size Milky Way bar contains 45 calories. This calorie count comes mostly from the chocolate, corn syrup, and sugar used to make these bite-sized candies.
While 45 calories is low compared to other candy options, the calories, fat, and sugar can add up if you eat multiple pieces. Enjoy Milky Way Minis and other sweets in moderation as part of an overall balanced diet for the best impact on your health and waistline.
Limiting yourself to a 45 calorie mini rather than a full 260 calorie bar makes it easier to keep candy in check. When eaten occasionally and in reasonable portions, a sweet treat like a Milky Way Mini can be part of an active, healthy lifestyle.
