A fun size peppermint patty is a popular chocolate mint candy that is often enjoyed around the holidays. With its rich chocolate coating and refreshing minty center, these petite patties offer a delicious sweet treat. However, like many candies and desserts, peppermint patties do contain a significant number of calories, especially considering their small size. For those watching their calorie intake or following a healthy diet, understanding just how many calories are in a fun size peppermint patty can help make informed choices about enjoying these sweets in moderation.
How Many Calories Are in a Fun Size Peppermint Patty?
The number of calories in a fun size peppermint patty can vary slightly depending on the exact brand and size. However, most regular fun size peppermint patties contain around 50 calories per patty. Here is a breakdown for some popular brands:
| Brand | Serving Size | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| York Peppermint Pattie | 1 patty (17g) | 50 calories |
| Hershey’s Peppermint Pattie | 1 patty (18.6g) | 70 calories |
| Andes Peppermint Crunch | 1 patty (18g) | 60 calories |
As you can see, calories range from 50-70 per fun size patty depending on the brand. York Peppermint Patties tend to be the lowest in calories, while Hershey’s Peppermint Patties contain the most at 70 calories each.
Calories from Fat vs. Carbs in Peppermint Patties
The calories in peppermint patties come from both fats and carbohydrates. Let’s look at the breakdown:
Fat: Most of the fat in a peppermint patty comes from the chocolate coating. Cocoa butter is the main fat source, providing monounsaturated and saturated fats. A fun size patty contains around 5-8 grams of fat, depending on brand. So fat contributes approximately 45-55 calories.
Carbohydrates: The mint flavored center layer adds more carbohydrates from sugar. There are around 7-10 grams of carbs, mostly sugar, in a fun size patty. This accounts for 25-40 of the calories.
So for a 70 calorie Hershey’s peppermint patty, 55 calories come from fat, while 15 calories are from carbs. The protein content is negligible at less than 1 gram per patty.
Peppermint Patties vs. Other Popular Candies
How do the calories in peppermint patties compare to some other popular fun size and miniature candies? Here is a calorie comparison (based on an average of different brands):
| Candy | Serving Size | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| Peppermint patty | 1 patty (18g) | 60 calories |
| Mini Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup | 1 cup (17g) | 80 calories |
| Mini Snickers Bar | 1 bar (19g) | 80 calories |
| Mini Milky Way | 1 bar (15g) | 60 calories |
| Hershey’s Kiss | 5 pieces (24g) | 100 calories |
As you can see, a fun size peppermint patty is lower in calories than mini candy bars like Snickers and Reese’s Pieces. It is on par with a Milky Way. So while certainly not low calorie, peppermint patties are a slightly better option than other chocolate candies of the same size.
Daily Calorie Limits
To put the calories from a fun size peppermint patty into context of daily calorie needs, let’s look at some general guidelines based on age, gender and activity level:
Women
– Sedentary (little exercise): 1,600-2,000 calories
– Moderately Active: 2,000-2,200 calories
– Active (regular exercise): 2,400 calories
Men
– Sedentary: 2,000-2,600 calories
– Moderately Active: 2,400-2,800 calories
– Active: 2,800-3,000 calories
Based on these estimates, a 50-70 calorie peppermint patty represents just 3-4% of your total daily calorie allowance if you follow a 2,000 calorie diet. So while they are high in calories for their small size, enjoying a fun size patty or two as an occasional treat can likely fit into a well-balanced diet. However, the calories can add up quickly if you overindulge by eating the whole bag in one sitting. Practicing portion control is key.
Tips for Enjoying Peppermint Patties While Managing Calories
Here are some tips to keep in mind if you want to enjoy the sweet minty taste of fun size peppermint patties without going overboard on calories:
– Stick to the fun size instead of regular size patties to control portions
– Read nutrition labels and choose options lowest in calories
– Limit yourself to 1-2 patties per day as a special treat
– Avoid mindless overeating directly from the bag
– Practice portion control and track calories as part of an overall healthy diet
– Balance out the calories by cutting back slightly at other meals
– Substitute peppermint patties for higher calorie desserts
– Increase physical activity to allow for extra calorie intake
By using peppermint patties as an occasional indulgence and not an everyday treat, you can satisfy your sweet tooth while still watching your calorie consumption. Moderation and balance is key for enjoying their signature chocolate-peppermint flavor.
Healthier Alternatives to Peppermint Patties
If you are looking for ways to enjoy the delicious minty chocolate taste in a healthier way, here are some options with fewer calories and sugar:
– Make a smoothie with cocoa powder, plain Greek yogurt, mint extract and stevia or another natural sweetener. Blend until thick and creamy.
– Melt a few squares of dark chocolate and dip strawberries or banana slices. Top with crushed peppermint.
– Mix cocoa powder and honey into plain oatmeal. Top with fresh mint leaves.
– Blend avocado, cocoa powder, peppermint extract and almond milk for a creamy lower calorie chocolate pudding.
– Make chocolate peppermint baked oatmeal using old fashioned oats, cocoa, vanilla extract, mint and a touch of maple syrup.
– Mix nonfat plain Greek yogurt with mini chocolate chips and crushed candy canes. Sweeten if desired with stevia.
With a little creativity, you can come up with healthier ways to get your chocolate-peppermint fix while reducing the calorie count. Focus on quality ingredients and natural sweeteners when possible for the most nutritious treats.
The Bottom Line
A fun size peppermint patty contains approximately 50-70 calories, with around 55 of those calories coming from fat. This represents 3-4% of the recommended daily intake for a 2,000 calorie diet. Though high in calories for their small size, consuming one or two patties in moderation can fit into an overall balanced diet. Be mindful of portion sizes, read nutrition facts, and balance intake with adequate physical activity. For fewer calories, make minty chocolate treats at home using healthy whole food ingredients.
