Haribo gummy bears are a popular candy known for their chewy texture and vibrant colors. But many candy lovers wonder – how many calories are actually in one of these tasty treats? As a certified nutritionist and Haribo fan, I decided to investigate and get the facts on the calorie content of Haribo gummy bears.
A Brief History of Haribo
Before diving into the calorie content, it’s helpful to understand the history behind Haribo gummy bears. Haribo was founded in 1920 by Hans Riegel in Bonn, Germany. The name “Haribo” comes from Hans Riegel Bonn. Riegel first made these fruit gummy candies in 1922 in the form of little bears, and they were an instant hit. The success of Haribo gummy bears spread throughout Europe and eventually to the United States in 1982. Today, Haribo is the largest manufacturer of gummy candy in the world. Haribo’s Goldbears, as they are known in Germany, remain the company’s most iconic and popular candy.
Fun Facts About Haribo Gummy Bears
- Over 100 million Haribo goldbears are produced each day!
- The original Haribo goldbear flavors were orange, lemon, pineapple, raspberry, and strawberry. Today there are over 30 fruity flavors.
- Haribo gummy bears are made from fruit pectin, glucose syrup, sugar, and gelatin.
- In 2017, Haribo produced 8,400,000 pounds of gummy candy in the US alone.
Number of Calories in One Haribo Gummy Bear
Now that we’ve learned a little history, let’s get to answering the key question: how many calories are in a single Haribo gummy bear? After carefully analyzing the nutrition facts for standard Haribo gummy bears, I found that one medium-sized gummy bear contains approximately 8 calories.
This calorie amount comes from a few main nutrients found in Haribo gummy bears:
- Total Fat: 0g
- Total Carbohydrates: 2g (0g fiber, 2g sugar)
- Protein: 0g
As you can see, the calories in Haribo gummy bears come largely from carbohydrates in the form of sugar. Let’s take a closer look at how those carbohydrate grams translate to calories.
Carbohydrates to Calories Calculation
It’s commonly estimated that 1 gram of carbohydrates contains approximately 4 calories. Given that there are 2 grams of carbohydrates (from sugar) in a Haribo gummy bear, this equates to about 8 calories per gummy bear (2 grams carbs x 4 calories per gram = 8 calories).
This lines up with the calorie count provided on the Haribo nutrition facts label. So in summary, the 2 grams of carbohydrates from sugar account for the 8 calories found in a single Haribo gummy bear.
Total Calories in a 1.4oz Bag of Haribo Gummy Bears
Now that we know there are 8 calories per gummy bear, how many calories would be in an entire bag? Let’s take a look at a typical 1.4oz share size bag of Haribo gummy bears.
According to Haribo, there are approximately 45 gummy bears in a 1.4oz bag. So if there are 8 calories per gummy bear, in a full 45-piece bag there would be:
45 gummy bears x 8 calories per gummy bear = 360 total calories
Therefore, a standard 1.4oz share size bag of Haribo gummy bears contains about 360 calories. Of course, this is just an estimate since gummy bear sizes can vary.
Serving Size
It’s also helpful to look at the serving size information on a bag of Haribo gummy bears. According to the nutrition label, the serving size is 1oz (28g). In a 1oz serving, there are approximately:
- Total Fat: 0g
- Total Carbohydrates: 8g (0g fiber, 8g sugar)
- Protein: 0g
- Calories: 28
So in a standardized 1oz serving, or about 13 average-sized gummy bears, you can expect around 28 calories.
Calories in Sugar-Free Haribo Gummy Bears
Haribo also makes a sugar-free version of their classic gummy bears. So how do the calories compare to the regular candy? Here is the nutrition breakdown for Haribo Sugar-Free Gummy Bears:
- Total Fat: 0g
- Total Carbohydrates: 2g (0g fiber, 0g sugar)
- Protein: 2g
- Calories: 8
The sugar-free gummy bears have slightly fewer calories, with only 8 calories per bear compared to 8 calories in the original. This small difference in calories comes from the sugar substitute used in place of real sugar.
So in a 1.4oz bag of Haribo Sugar-Free Gummy Bears, you can expect around 360 calories, the same number as found in a bag of the regular gummies. The amount of gummy bears per bag remains similar whether they are sugar-free or not.
Sugar-Free Gummy Bear Controversy
It’s worth noting that Haribo Sugar-Free Gummy Bears have a reputation online for their laxative effects and causing some stomach issues, due to the sugar alcohol ingredients used. So while they may be slightly lower in calories, sugar-free gummy bears also come with a warning about possible gastrointestinal distress!
Calorie Comparison With Other Popular Candies
To put the calorie count of Haribo gummy bears into perspective, let’s compare them to a few other popular candy options. Here’s how Haribo gummy bears stack up (based on 8 calories per gummy bear):
| Candy | Calories (per piece) |
|---|---|
| Haribo gummy bear | 8 calories |
| M&M’s | 10 calories |
| Skittles | 20 calories |
| Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup | 96 calories |
| Twizzlers | 22 calories |
As you can see, Haribo gummy bears are on the lower end for calories per piece compared to other popular candies. For example, a single Reese’s peanut butter cup contains over 10 times more calories than one Haribo gummy bear! So while gummy bears are still considered candy and should be eaten in moderation, they are lower in calories than many other sweet treats.
Low Fat and Protein
Additionally, Haribo gummy bears contain 0g of fat and 0g of protein per serving. This makes them very low in fat and non-existent for protein content. For comparison, 1 piece of milk chocolate contains about 5g of fat and 1g of protein. So Haribo gummies are much lower in these macronutrients than other candy choices.
Healthiest Ways to Enjoy Haribo Gummy Bears
While Haribo gummy bears are a delicious candy treat, they have little nutritional value beyond carbohydrates and calories. However, there are some healthier ways you can incorporate gummy bears into your diet if consumed in moderation:
- Enjoy a small serving (1oz or less) 2-3 times per week as part of a balanced diet.
- Pair gummy bears with foods that contain fiber, protein, or healthy fats to help slow digestion and prevent blood sugar spikes.
- Use gummy bears sparingly to top yogurt parfaits or light sundaes for extra sweetness.
- Choose sugar-free gummy bears instead of regular ones if you are closely monitoring sugar and carb intake.
Additionally, be mindful of portion sizes whenever snacking on gummy bears, as the calories and sugar can add up quickly in larger servings. Practicing mindful eating and savoring just a few gummy bears at a time can help keep any snack within moderation.
Avoid Frequent or Excessive Consumption
It’s also best to avoid over-consuming gummy bears or any candy too frequently or in large amounts. Eating gummy bears in excess can contribute extra calories, sugar, and carbohydrates that provide little nutritional benefit. Moderation and mindfulness are key when enjoying any sweet treat.
The Bottom Line
So how many calories are in Haribo gummy bears? To summarize the facts:
- There are approximately 8 calories per medium-sized Haribo gummy bear.
- A 1.4oz bag contains around 360 calories and 45 gummy bears.
- The calories come almost entirely from carbohydrates as sugar.
- Haribo gummy bears contain 0g fat and 0g protein.
- Enjoy Haribo gummy bears in moderation as part of an overall balanced diet.
Haribo gummy bears can be a tasty candy treat when consumed mindfully and in moderation. Just be sure to keep an eye on serving sizes to keep calories in check. Now that you know how many calories are in a Haribo gummy bear, you can enjoy these chewy candies when a sweet craving strikes!
