Quick Answer
A piece of Juicy Fruit gum contains about 5 calories. The exact calorie count can vary slightly depending on the flavor and size of the piece, but in general, a standard stick of Juicy Fruit gum contains around 5 calories.
Calorie Count by Flavor
Juicy Fruit gum comes in a variety of classic fruity flavors, each containing roughly the same amount of calories per piece:
| Flavor | Calories per Piece |
|---|---|
| Original | 5 |
| Strawberry | 5 |
| Watermelon | 5 |
| Apple | 5 |
| Berry | 5 |
| Banana | 5 |
| Peach | 5 |
| Mango | 5 |
As you can see, the calorie difference between flavors is negligible. Original, strawberry, watermelon, apple, berry, banana, peach, and mango Juicy Fruit gum all contain around 5 calories per stick.
Calorie Density
At 5 calories per piece, Juicy Fruit gum has a relatively low calorie density compared to many other snack foods. Here’s how it compares per piece:
| Snack Item | Calories |
|---|---|
| Juicy Fruit gum | 5 |
| Potato chips | 150 |
| Pretzels | 110 |
| M&Ms | 47 |
| Skittles | 20 |
| Reese’s Pieces | 40 |
A single piece of Juicy Fruit contains far fewer calories than other popular salty and sweet snacks. So if you’re looking for a low-calorie treat, gum can be a good option.
Daily Calorie Limits
For most adults, consuming a single piece of Juicy Fruit gum won’t make much of a dent in their daily calorie allowance. Here’s a breakdown of the piece in context of some typical calorie limits:
| Daily Calorie Goal | Calories in 1 Piece Juicy Fruit | Percent of Daily Calories |
|---|---|---|
| 1,200 calories | 5 | 0.4% |
| 1,500 calories | 5 | 0.3% |
| 1,800 calories | 5 | 0.3% |
| 2,000 calories | 5 | 0.25% |
| 2,500 calories | 5 | 0.2% |
As you can see based on typical calorie goals, a single piece of gum makes up less than 1% of your total daily allotment. So enjoying a stick of Juicy Fruit here and there can easily be accommodated into a healthy diet.
Sugar Content
Aside from calories, some people may wonder about the sugar content in Juicy Fruit gum. Each piece contains:
- 1 gram of sugar
- 1 gram of carbohydrates
- Less than 1 gram of sugar alcohols
So while Juicy Fruit does contain some sugar, the amount is relatively minimal at just 1 gram per piece. There are 4 calories per gram of sugar, so Juicy Fruit’s 1g accounts for 4 of the 5 total calories.
For comparison, here’s the sugar content in some other popular candies:
| Candy | Sugar per Piece (grams) |
|---|---|
| Juicy Fruit gum | 1 |
| Starburst | 5 |
| Skittles | 2.5 |
| Reese’s Pieces | 4 |
| M&Ms | 2 |
So with only 1 gram of sugar per piece, Juicy Fruit is on the low end for candy and sweets. It can be enjoyed guilt-free as an occasional treat within a balanced diet.
Sugar-Free Alternatives
For those watching their sugar intake closely, there are also sugar-free varieties of Juicy Fruit gum available. These are sweetened with sugar alcohols like sorbitol and mannitol instead of real sugar.
Here’s how the sugar-free versions compare:
| Juicy Fruit Type | Sugar (grams) | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| Regular | 1 | 5 |
| Sugar-free | 0 | 5 |
The sugar-free options contain no sugar and the same 5 calories found in regular Juicy Fruit. This allows people to enjoy the delicious fruity flavors without any effect on blood sugar.
Juicy Fruit Nutrition Facts
If you want to take a closer look, here are the official nutrition facts for a piece of original Juicy Fruit gum:
| Amount Per 1 Piece | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|
| Calories 5 | |
| Total Fat 0g | 0% |
| Sodium 0mg | 0% |
| Total Carbs 1g | |
| — Sugar 1g | |
| Protein 0g | 0% |
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
As you can see, the ingredients are very simple – there’s barely any fat, sodium, carbs, or protein. Just a small amount of sugar accounting for most of the 5 calories.
Chewing Gum and Weight Loss
Some research has investigated whether chewing gum can be an effective weight loss aid. The act of chewing has been linked with:
- Reduced food cravings
- Increased feelings of fullness
- Eating less overall
In theory, reaching for a stick of gum instead of higher-calorie snacks can help decrease overall calorie intake and potentially aid weight loss.
However, the evidence is mixed. Some studies show minimal effects, while others show more significant impacts:
| Study | Findings |
|---|---|
| 2009 study in Appetite | Chewing gum before a meal decreased calorie intake by 9% |
| 2011 study in Behavioural Psychology | No significant effect from gum on weight loss |
| 2016 study in Eating Behaviors | Gum helped participants eat 10% less lunch calories |
More research is needed to draw definitive conclusions on gum and weight loss. But it’s clear that swapping out higher-calorie snacks for a stick of Juicy Fruit can support a healthy diet in moderation.
Juicy Fruit and Dental Health
Sugar-sweetened gum like Juicy Fruit has a bad reputation when it comes to dental health. While it’s true that sugar contributes to cavities, gum itself can actually benefit your teeth and gums. That’s because:
- Chewing boosts saliva flow, clearing food debris and acids
- Saliva contains minerals that rebuild tooth enamel
- Gum ingredients are less acidic than many other candies or drinks
- Xylitol in some gums inhibits bacteria growth
With regular brushing and flossing, enjoying the occasional piece of Juicy Fruit shouldn’t pose a problem for dental health. In fact, actively chewing it can benefit your teeth and gums compared to letting them sit idle.
Cost of Juicy Fruit
Juicy Fruit is an affordable gum choice. Here are some typical prices:
| Package Size | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Individual pack (5 pieces) | $0.25 – $0.50 |
| Single pack (15 pieces) | $1 – $2 |
| Multi-pack (15 packs of 15 pieces) | $8 – $12 |
You can often find sales on multi-pack boxes. With just 5 calories per stick, it provides a lot of low-calorie chewing for the price.
Common Questions
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about Juicy Fruit gum:
Does Juicy Fruit gum have xylitol?
Most regular Juicy Fruit gum does not contain xylitol, a sugar alcohol that can benefit dental health. However, some sugar-free Juicy Fruit gums do include xylitol among their sweeteners.
Is Juicy Fruit gum vegan?
Yes, Juicy Fruit contains no animal products and is considered vegan friendly. The ingredients are vegan acceptable.
Does Juicy Fruit gum have gluten?
Juicy Fruit gum contains no wheat, barley, rye or other gluten-containing ingredients. So standard Juicy Fruit is considered gluten free. However, those with celiac should still check labels for manufacturing warnings.
Is Juicy Fruit gum kosher?
Most Juicy Fruit gum is certified kosher pareve under kosher food guidelines. So traditional Juicy Fruit can be considered kosher friendly.
Is Juicy Fruit plastic free?
Unfortunately at this time Juicy Fruit gum’s packaging does still contain some plastic materials. Efforts are being made to reduce plastic waste, but current Juicy Fruit wraps are not fully plastic free.
Conclusion
Chewing a stick of refreshing Juicy Fruit gum is an enjoyable way to satisfy a craving that’s low in calories and sugar. Moderating your intake and practicing good dental hygiene can make it a healthy part of your diet. So pop open a pack and enjoy that nostalgic fruity flavor guilt-free!
