A sugar free Chick-O-Stick is a popular candy made by Palmer Candy Company. It has a peanut butter center covered in a layer of coconut. The sugar free version uses artificial sweeteners instead of sugar to reduce the calorie content.
Quick Answer
A regular 1 ounce (28 gram) Chick-O-Stick contains about 130 calories. The sugar free version contains about 100 calories per Chick-O-Stick.
Calorie Count Details
Let’s take a closer look at the calorie count for both the regular and sugar free Chick-O-Sticks:
Regular Chick-O-Stick
The regular Chick-O-Stick contains the following nutrients per 1 ounce serving (28 grams):
- Calories: 130
- Total Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Sugar: 12 g
As you can see, the majority of calories in a regular Chick-O-Stick comes from sugar. Each stick contains about 12 grams of sugar, which equates to around 48 calories just from the sugar alone.
The coconut coating and peanut butter filling also contribute fat and additional carbs to the calorie count.
Sugar Free Chick-O-Stick
The sugar free Chick-O-Stick has a similar nutrient profile with a few key differences:
- Calories: 100
- Total Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 11 g
- Sugar alcohol: 9 g
The main difference is the sugar alcohol instead of regular sugar. Sugar alcohols like maltitol and sorbitol are used to provide sweetness without the same calories as regular sugar.
However, sugar alcohols are not completely calorie-free. They typically provide about half the calories per gram compared to regular sugar. So the 9 grams of sugar alcohol still contributes about 40-45 calories to the chocolate.
When you remove the 48 calories from sugar in the regular version, the sugar free Chick-O-Stick ends up with around 100 calories total.
Daily Calorie Needs
To put the calorie counts into perspective, here are some guidelines for daily calorie needs:
| Gender | Sedentary | Moderately Active | Active |
|---|---|---|---|
| Female | 1,600-2,000 | 2,000-2,200 | 2,400 |
| Male | 2,000-2,600 | 2,400-2,800 | 3,000 |
As you can see, a Chick-O-Stick provides about 5-8% of daily calorie needs. Consumed occasionally, it can fit into a balanced diet. But the calories can add up if eating multiple pieces in one sitting.
Nutrition Pros and Cons
Here is a quick rundown of some pros and cons of Chick-O-Sticks nutrition:
Potential Pros
- Provide some protein and fat from the peanut butter
- Contains vitamin E from the peanuts and coconut
- Sugar free version eliminates sugar and reduces calorie density
Potential Cons
- High in saturated fat from coconut oil
- Contains artificial sweeteners if sugar free
- Lacks fiber, vitamins, and minerals found in whole foods
- Highly processed combination of ingredients
Overall, Chick-O-Sticks are a treat food and not intended as a significant source of nutrients. Portion control is advised when consuming them as part of an otherwise balanced diet.
Ingredients in a Chick-O-Stick
Let’s take a detailed look at the ingredients in a Chick-O-Stick:
Regular Chick-O-Stick Ingredients
- Coconut: Provides flavor and texture from shredded coconut. Also contributes fat, calories, and a small amount of fiber.
- Sugar: Granulated white sugar is the main sweetener. Contributes sweetness, carbs, and calories with no nutrients.
- Corn syrup: Made from starch and provides additional sweetness. Also adds extra carbs and calories.
- Palm kernel oil: Added for texture and mouthfeel. Contributes saturated fat and calories.
- Peanut butter: Made from roasted peanuts. Provides protein, fat, carbs, fiber, vitamin E.
- Skim milk powder: Adds creaminess and protein. Also contains calcium.
- Palm oil: Adds texture and fat from palm oil, which is highly saturated.
- Salt: For flavor. Provides sodium.
- Soy lecithin: An emulsifier that helps blend ingredients smoothly.
- Natural flavors: Extracts that enhance flavor but no significant nutrition.
Sugar Free Chick-O-Stick
The sugar free version contains the same ingredients but with these differences:
- Replaces sugar with maltitol syrup and sucralose
- May contain nutritive sweeteners like brown rice syrup in smaller amounts
- Adds acesulfame potassium as a blending sweetener
So the main calorie reduction comes from swapping out the regular sugar. But the rest of the ingredients and nutrition profile remains similar.
Chick-O-Stick Flavors
Chick-O-Sticks come in a variety of seasonal and special flavors including:
- Original
- Peanut butter
- Chocolate
- Caramel
- Pumpkin spice
- Eggnog
- Key lime
- Lemon coconut
- Banana
- Strawberry
The calorie count may vary slightly between the different flavors based on the ingredients. But most flavors provide around 100-140 calories per Chick-O-Stick depending on if they are regular or sugar free.
Chick-O-Stick Serving Sizes
Chick-O-Sticks come in three main package sizes:
- Single 1 oz stick (about 100 calories)
- 2 oz package (about 200 calories)
- 5 oz package (about 500 calories)
The calorie count and nutrients will be the same per ounce regardless of package size. However, the larger packages may promote eating more than one serving at a time.
Tips for Enjoying Chick-O-Sticks
Here are some tips for enjoying Chick-O-Sticks in a balanced way:
- Stick to a single stick as one serving.
- Combine with other foods like fruit to add nutritional value.
- Savor slowly and mindfully to satisfy your sweet tooth.
- Drink water with it to prevent dehydration from the sugar alcohol.
- Practice portion control and moderation when eating candy.
Recipes with Chick-O-Sticks
Here are some tasty recipes that incorporate Chick-O-Sticks as an ingredient:
Chick-O-Stick Popcorn
Melt Chick-O-Sticks with butter and drizzle over popcorn for a sweet and salty snack.
Chick-O-Stick Rice Krispie Treats
Make rice cereal treats and blend in chopped up Chick-O-Sticks for a twist.
Chick-O-Stick Milkshake
Blend melted Chick-O-Sticks with vanilla ice cream and milk for a thick shake.
Chick-O-Stick Apples
Melt down Chick-O-Sticks and dip apple slices for a caramel flavored treat.
Chick-O-Stick Candy Bark
Spread melted Chick-O-Sticks over chocolate, let harden, then break into pieces.
Swaps for Chick-O-Sticks
If you’re looking for alternatives to Chick-O-Sticks, here are some ideas:
- Banana chips – Provide crunch without the added sugar.
- Trail mix – Mix of nuts, seeds, coconut for texture and nutrients.
- Celery with peanut butter – Provides crunch with protein and fat.
- Rice cakes with peanut butter – Crisp rice cakes give a similar feel.
- Apples with nut butter – Sweet crisp apple with creamy nut butter.
- Dried fruit with unsalted nuts – Sweetness with crunch and nutrients.
Conclusion
A regular Chick-O-Stick contains around 130 calories, while the sugar free version has about 100 calories. Though it makes a tasty candy treat, portion sizes of Chick-O-Sticks should be kept in moderation. Alternatives like fresh fruit with nuts or nut butters can provide a healthier crunch.
Enjoying the occasional Chick-O-Stick while maintaining an overall balanced diet and active lifestyle is the best approach for well-rounded nutrition.
