Chocolate is one of life’s simple pleasures enjoyed across the globe. The rich, sweet taste of chocolate makes it hard to stop after just one bite. While chocolate can be delicious, it is also high in calories and fat. For those watching their weight or managing health conditions like diabetes, understanding chocolate’s nutritional content is important.
What is Dove Chocolate?
Dove is a brand of chocolate manufactured by Mars, Incorporated. First produced in the United States in 1939, Dove chocolates are now sold worldwide. Dove chocolates are distinct from other Mars chocolate brands like M&M’s, Milky Way, Snickers and Twix because they are marketed as premium chocolate.
Some key facts about Dove chocolates:
- Dove chocolates are made with real cocoa butter, giving them a richer taste and smoother texture than chocolate made with cheaper hydrogenated oils.
- Popular Dove chocolate products include their milk chocolate bars, chocolate truffles, and chocolate candies wrapped in foil, like their Dove Promises line.
- Dove uses sustainably-sourced cocoa beans in their chocolate products.
Dove milk chocolate, like that used in their individually-wrapped Dove Promises, is smooth, creamy milk chocolate. But with any chocolate product, understanding its nutrition facts is important.
Nutrition Facts for Dove Milk Chocolate
The nutrition information for a Dove Promises milk chocolate candy piece is as follows:
- Serving size: 1 piece (28g / 1oz)
- Calories: 140
- Total fat: 8g
- Saturated fat: 5g
- Trans fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 5mg
- Sodium: 25mg
- Total carbohydrate: 18g
- Dietary fiber: 1g
- Sugars: 16g
- Protein: 1g
As you can see, while rich and delicious, just a single 1 ounce Dove Promises milk chocolate piece contains 140 calories. It also contains significant amounts of fat, cholesterol and sugar.
Calories and Macronutrients in Different Types of Chocolate
While milk chocolate is one of the most popular types, chocolate comes in many varieties – each with their own calorie and nutritional profiles. Here is an overview of the calorie differences in some common types of chocolate:
| Type of Chocolate | Serving Size | Calories | Total Fat (g) | Carbs (g) | Protein (g) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dark chocolate (70-85% cocoa) | 1 ounce | 150 | 9 | 16 | 2 |
| Milk chocolate | 1 ounce | 140 | 8 | 18 | 2 |
| White chocolate | 1 ounce | 140 | 9 | 16 | 1 |
| Unsweetened chocolate | 1 ounce | 170 | 12 | 14 | 3 |
As shown, the difference in calories between dark, milk and white chocolate is small when comparing equal 1 ounce portions. However, ingredients like cocoa butter and cocoa solids impact the overall fat and carbohydrate content. Unsweetened chocolate has no added sugar, resulting in fewer carbs and more fat.
Calories in Different Serving Sizes of Dove Milk Chocolate
The nutrition information provided above is for one standard 28g / 1oz Dove Promises milk chocolate piece. But chocolate is often consumed in larger serving sizes. Here’s a look at the calories in different amounts of Dove milk chocolate:
| Serving Size | Calories | Total Fat (g) | Carbs (g) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 pieces (140g / 5oz) | 700 | 40 | 90 |
| 10 pieces (280g / 10oz) | 1400 | 80 | 180 |
| Full bag (397g / 14oz) | 1960 | 112 | 252 |
As the serving size increases, so do the calories and macronutrients. Just ten Dove Promises pieces would provide 140% of the recommended daily value for saturated fat!
Calorie Differences Between Dove Milk Chocolate and Dark Chocolate
While Dove is best known for their milk chocolate, they also make products using dark chocolate. Here’s a comparison of the nutrition in equal serving sizes of Dove milk chocolate versus Dove dark chocolate:
| Type | Serving Size | Calories | Total Fat (g) | Carbs (g) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dove Milk Chocolate | 1 piece (28g) | 140 | 8 | 18 |
| Dove Dark Chocolate | 1 piece (28g) | 150 | 9 | 16 |
While the calorie count is comparable, the Dove dark chocolate contains slightly more fat but fewer carbohydrates. The higher cocoa content of dark chocolate results in these differences.
Ways to Enjoy Dove Chocolate with Fewer Calories
Given the indulgent taste of Dove chocolate, most people don’t want to give it up entirely. Here are some tips for enjoying Dove chocolate while limiting calorie intake:
- Portion control – Stick to a single piece of Dove chocolate to keep calories around 140 per serving.
- Share the bag – Split a bag of Dove Promises with friends or family so you aren’t tempted to overindulge.
- Savor slowly – Take small bites of chocolate and really savor the taste rather than devouring it quickly.
- Use mini Dove chocolates – Mini Dove chocolate bars and candies have around 50 calories compared to 140 per regular sized piece.
- Choose dark chocolate – Pick Dove’s dark chocolate options for a more intense chocolate flavor with slightly fewer carbs.
You can also balance out chocolate by pairing it with fresh fruit that adds nutrients and fiber. Or only allowing yourself a piece of Dove chocolate after eating a healthy meal.
How Dove Milk Chocolate Compares to Other Popular Candies
Dove’s milk chocolate has a similar nutrition profile to other comparable chocolate-based candies. Here’s how it stacks up against other popular treat options:
| Candy | Serving Size | Calories | Total Fat (g) | Carbs (g) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dove Promises (milk chocolate) | 1 piece (28g / 1oz) | 140 | 8 | 18 |
| Hershey’s milk chocolate bar | 1 bar (43g / 1.5oz) | 230 | 13 | 26 |
| M&M’s (milk chocolate) | 1 pouch (48g / 1.7oz) | 240 | 8 | 38 |
| Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup | 1 cup (21g / 0.75oz) | 110 | 7 | 13 |
Compared to other popular candies, Dove Promises offer rich chocolate taste with a comparable calorie count.
Health Impact of Calories and Ingredients in Dove Chocolate
While enjoying the occasional chocolate treat is unlikely to cause harm, regularly consuming large amounts of chocolate can impact your health due to the calories, fat, sugar and other ingredients.
Some potential health effects of overindulging in Dove chocolate include:
- Weight gain – The high calorie density of chocolate makes it easy to overeat.
- High cholesterol – Large amounts of saturated fat can increase cholesterol levels.
- Blood sugar spikes – Sugar and refined carbs can rapidly raise blood glucose.
- Nutrient displacement – Chocolate is viewed as ’empty calories’ and may displace more nutritious foods.
- Migraines – Some people report getting headaches after eating chocolate, often due to compounds like tyramine.
Moderating chocolate intake and choosing darker varieties with higher cocoa and lower sugar content can help minimize negative impacts.
Conclusion
Dove Promises milk chocolate candies contain 140 calories and 8g of fat per standard 28g serving. The rich, smooth taste makes it easy to overconsume calories, fat, sugar and carbohydrates when indulging in chocolate. Paying attention to portion sizes and the frequency of treating yourself to Dove chocolate can help manage intake. Opting for mini or dark chocolate versions are other ways to minimize calories and health impacts. While chocolate is high in calories, enjoying Dove’s chocolatey flavors in moderation can be part of a healthy, balanced diet.
