A Hershey’s Nugget with almonds contains about 80 calories per piece. This chocolate candy is a fan favorite that combines the crispy crunch of almonds with smooth, creamy milk chocolate. But with nearly 100 calories per serving, it’s important to be mindful of portion size when indulging in these sweet treats.
An Overview of Hershey’s Nuggets with Almonds
Hershey’s Nuggets with almonds have been around since the 1930s. They consist of a milk chocolate candy shell with a whole almond nestled inside. The nuggets are bite-sized, making them an easy, hand-held snack. Their distinctive, oblong shape gives them a unique appearance. The milk chocolate provides a rich, creamy flavor while the almond adds a delightful crunch.
In addition to the original milk chocolate version, Hershey’s also makes these nuggets with dark chocolate and white creme. There are also specialty flavors like caramel, cookies and creme, and candy cane available seasonally. But the classic milk chocolate with almonds remains one of the most popular year-round.
Nutrition Facts for a Hershey’s Nugget with Almonds
So what are the exact nutrition facts on these candy treats? Here is the breakdown for a single Hershey’s Nugget with almonds:
- Calories: 80
- Total fat: 5g
- Saturated fat: 3g
- Trans fat: 0g
- Polyunsaturated fat: 0.5g
- Monounsaturated fat: 1g
- Cholesterol: 3mg
- Sodium: 10mg
- Total carbohydrate: 9g
- Dietary fiber: 1g
- Sugars: 7g
- Added sugars: 7g
- Protein: 1g
As you can see, one nugget contains 80 calories, which comes primarily from the fat and sugars. There is 3g of saturated fat per piece, which is significant considering the small serving size. There is also 7g of sugar in each nugget.
The nugget provides 1g of dietary fiber, coming from the almond. There is also a small amount of protein. But overall, the chocolate and sugar make up the bulk of the calories and nutrients.
How Many Almonds are in One Nugget?
You may be wondering how many almonds go into each Hershey’s Nugget. Since the almond is a key selling point, consumers want to know they are getting a good amount of nutty crunch in each piece.
According to Hershey’s, one nugget contains approximately 1/8 of an almond. So 8 nuggets would provide the equivalent of a whole almond. The almonds are roasted to enhance their flavor before being placed inside the chocolate shell.
Daily Calorie Needs
To put the 80 calories per Hershey’s Nugget into context, it’s helpful to look at recommended daily calorie intake. The number of calories a person needs each day varies based on many factors like age, gender, activity level, etc. Here are some general guidelines for calorie needs:
- Women
- Sedentary – around 1,800 calories per day
- Moderately Active – around 2,000-2,200 calories per day
- Active – around 2,400 calories per day
- Men
- Sedentary – around 2,400 calories per day
- Moderately Active – around 2,600-2,800 calories per day
- Active – around 3,000 calories per day
Based on these estimates, an 80 calorie Hershey’s Nugget represents around 4-5% of a sedentary woman’s total daily needs. For an active man, it would be under 3%.
Serving Size
Hershey’s recommendations for serving size of Nuggets with almonds is as follows:
- 5 pieces (1 oz) = 400 calories
- 9 pieces (1.5 oz) = 720 calories
- 13 pieces (2 oz) = 1,040 calories
As you can see, the calories quickly add up if you consume multiple nuggets in one sitting. An entire 1.55 ounce bag contains about 22 pieces or 1,760 calories. So it’s smart to portion out servings rather than snacking directly from the package.
Daily Value Percentages
Looking at the nutrition label, you’ll see the daily value percentages listed next to each nutrient. These percentages represent how much of the recommended daily intake is provided by a single serving of the food.
For Hershey’s Nuggets with almonds, here are the percentages for some of the main nutrients based on a 5 piece (1 oz) serving size:
- Total fat: 8%
- Saturated fat: 15%
- Cholesterol: 1%
- Sodium: 0%
- Total carbohydrate: 3%
- Dietary fiber: 4%
- Protein: 2%
You can see that even a small serving accounts for 15% of the recommended daily value for saturated fat. So the nuggets are high in saturated fat compared to other nutrients.
Calories from Fat vs. Carbs
Where are most of the calories in a Hershey’s Nugget coming from – fats or carbohydrates? Let’s take a look at the breakdown:
- Total fat: 5g x 9 calories per gram = 45 calories from fat
- Total carbohydrate: 9g x 4 calories per gram = 36 calories from carbs
So out of the total 80 calories, 45 come from fat (56%) and 36 come from carbohydrates (45%). Protein accounts for the remaining handful of calories.
This shows that the fat content accounts for over half the calories. The saturated fat is primarily coming from the chocolate. So while the nuggets do contain some natural sugars, the fat is the biggest calorie source.
Calorie Density
Calorie density looks at the number of calories relative to the weight or volume of a food. Foods with higher calorie density will pack more calories into a smaller package. Here is the calorie density for Hershey’s Nuggets with almonds:
- 80 calories per piece
- Each piece weighs approximately 8 grams
- So 80 calories / 8 grams = 10 calories per gram
Foods with a calorie density greater than 4 calories per gram are considered high. So at 10 calories per gram, Hershey’s Nuggets would be very calorie dense.
For comparison, here are the calorie densities for some other foods:
- Broccoli – 0.7 calories per gram
- Strawberries – 0.5 calories per gram
- Chicken breast – 1.6 calories per gram
- Walnuts – 6.2 calories per gram
As you can see, the nuggets are significantly more calorie dense than fruits, vegetables and lean proteins. But they have a similar density to other nuts and sweets.
Effect on Weight
Consuming calories above your body’s needs can lead to weight gain over time. So regularly eating high-calorie, high-fat foods like Hershey’s Nuggets in excess can contribute to weight gain.
To maintain a healthy weight, aim to balance calories from treats like chocolate with sensible portions of nutritious whole foods like fruits, veggies, lean proteins, whole grains, etc.
As a rough guideline, to lose one pound per week, you need a daily deficit of 500 calories. So 80 calories from a few Hershey’s Nuggets could equate to around 1/6 pound weight gain per week if not accounted for.
Keeping active can allow for more flexibility in your diet. Pairing regular exercise with healthy eating is key for maintaining energy balance.
Healthier Alternatives
If you want a chocolate treat but are looking for options with fewer calories, here are some ideas:
- Dark chocolate – Has a richer chocolate taste with less sugar.
- Single squares of chocolate – Provides portion control.
- Chocolate chips – Typically contain 100 calories per serving.
- Cocoa powder – Pure cocoa has antioxidants without added fat/sugar.
- Chocolate coated nuts – Provides protein, fiber and healthy fats.
Enjoy chocolate in moderation as part of a balanced diet. Savor a small amount so you don’t overindulge in excess calories.
Ways to Reduce Calories
Here are some simple tips for reducing the calories when eating Hershey’s Nuggets:
- Portion control – Stick to the recommended serving sizes.
- Mix with healthier items – Combine a few pieces with fresh fruit.
- Savor slowly – Take small bites and really enjoy the chocolate taste.
- Drink water – Helps fill you up so you eat less overall.
- Share with others – Cut calories by splitting a serving.
Being mindful as you indulge in the sweet treat can help keep calories in check.
The Bottom Line
Hershey’s Nuggets with almonds are an iconic candy treat that packs in the flavor along with the calories. Each piece contains around 80 calories, with over half coming from fat. The nuggets are very calorie dense at 10 calories per gram. Portion sizes are important since the calories can add up quickly if you consume multiple pieces. Enjoy these sweet bites in moderation as part of an overall balanced diet and active lifestyle.
