Quick Answer
A Reese’s Pieces snack size package contains approximately 210 calories. The exact calorie count can vary slightly depending on the specific product size and ingredients. A standard snack size package contains around 1.9 ounces of candy.
Calories in Different Sized Packages of Reese’s Pieces
| Package Size | Calories |
|---|---|
| Snack size (1.9 oz) | 210 |
| Fun size (2.07 oz) | 230 |
| Theater box (3.3 oz) | 360 |
| Standard pouch (7 oz) | 770 |
| King size (14 oz) | 1540 |
As you can see from the table above, the calorie count ranges from 210 calories in a snack size package up to 1540 calories in a king size bag. The exact calorie count will depend on the weight of the specific package purchased. Larger theatre boxes and king size pouches will have more candies and therefore more calories.
Nutrition Facts for Reese’s Pieces
Reese’s Pieces are made from a combination of milk chocolate, peanut butter and candy coated peanuts. Here are the nutrition facts for a 1.9 ounce snack size package:
| Nutrition Facts | 1.9 oz (1 snack size bag) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 210 |
| Total Fat | 11g |
| Saturated Fat | 4.5g |
| Trans Fat | 0g |
| Cholesterol | 5mg |
| Sodium | 105mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 24g |
| Dietary Fiber | 2g |
| Sugars | 16g |
| Protein | 3g |
As you can see, the majority of calories in Reese’s Pieces comes from fat and carbohydrates. There is 11g of total fat, 24g of carbohydrates and 16g of sugar per snack size package.
Ingredients in Reese’s Pieces
Reese’s Pieces are made with just a handful of main ingredients:
- Milk chocolate – Milk chocolate provides fat, sugar and cocoa solids to Reese’s Pieces. It coats the peanuts to provide the candy shell.
- Peanuts – Peanuts provide protein and some healthy fats to balance out the candy. The peanuts are coated in candy shell.
- Sugar – Sugar adds sweetness and carbohydrates. There is 16g of sugar in a snack size package.
- Palm oil – Palm oil is added to the chocolate and helps provide smooth texture and consistency.
- TBHQ – TBHQ stands for tertiary butylhydroquinone and is an artificial preservative.
- Cocoa butter – Cocoa butter is extracted from cocoa beans and helps provide chocolate flavor.
- Salt – A small amount of salt is added for flavor.
- Soy lecithin – Soy lecithin is an emulsifier that helps bind ingredients together.
So in summary, the main calorie sources come from milk chocolate, sugar and peanuts. The chocolate and sugar provide most of the fat and carbohydrate content.
Calorie and Macronutrient Percentages
Here is a breakdown of the calories and macronutrients in Reese’s Pieces as a percentage:
| Nutrient | Percentage of Calories |
|---|---|
| Fat | 47% |
| Carbohydrates | 46% |
| Protein | 5% |
| Alcohol | 0% |
As you can see, nearly half (47%) of the calories in Reese’s Pieces comes from fat. 46% comes from carbohydrates and 5% comes from a small amount of protein. There is no alcohol content.
The fat content is quite high compared to the carbohydrates and protein. The saturated fat content is also significant at 4.5g per snack size bag.
Calorie Density of Reese’s Pieces
In addition to looking at total calories, we can also calculate the calorie density of Reese’s Pieces.
Calorie density shows how many calories there are per gram of food. Foods with higher calorie density will pack more calories into a smaller amount of food.
For a 1.9 ounce snack size bag of Reese’s Pieces, there are approximately:
- 210 calories per bag
- 1.9 ounces = 54 grams
- 210 calories / 54 grams = 3.9 calories per gram
So Reese’s Pieces have a calorie density of 3.9 calories per gram. This is quite high compared to many other snacks and foods.
For example, here is the calorie density for some other common foods:
| Food | Calorie Density (calories/gram) |
|---|---|
| Broccoli | 0.7 |
| Strawberries | 0.5 |
| Chicken breast | 1.6 |
| Cheddar cheese | 4.1 |
| Potato chips | 5.3 |
Reese’s Pieces have a higher calorie density than broccoli, strawberries and chicken breast. They are more similar to cheddar cheese and potato chips.
This shows that Reese’s Pieces provide a very high concentration of calories for their small snack size. The calories are packed into a small portion.
How Reese’s Pieces Fit Into a Balanced Diet
Reese’s Pieces can be enjoyed as an occasional treat in a balanced diet. However, they are high in fat, saturated fat and sugars, so portion sizes should be monitored.
Some tips for balancing Reese’s Pieces in your diet include:
- Stick to snack size portions around 1.9 ounces.
- Aim to keep calorie intake from Reese’s under 200 calories per serving.
- Limit yourself to only one snack size bag per day.
- Pair your Reese’s Pieces with other nutritious foods like fruits, vegetables and lean proteins to balance macros.
- Drink water with your candy to help curb appetite.
- Consider choosing single packs rather than bulk boxes.
- Control portions by pre-packing snacks rather than eating from the full bag.
Reese’s Pieces can fit into a healthy diet, but they are considered a discretionary “sometimes” food rather than an everyday item. Be mindful of portion sizes and pair them with nourishing foods to balance your calories and nutrition.
Healthier Snack Alternatives
If you are looking for a healthier snack alternative to provide fewer calories here are some options:
Fresh Fruit
- 1 apple – 95 calories
- 1 banana – 105 calories
- 1 cup strawberries – 50 calories
- 1 cup blueberries – 85 calories
- 1 cup grapes – 100 calories
Fruit provides fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Aim for 1-2 cups of fruit per day.
Vegetables with Hummus
- Carrots and 2 Tbsp hummus – 80 calories
- Celery sticks and 2 Tbsp hummus – 60 calories
- Bell pepper strips and 2 Tbsp hummus – 75 calories
The vegetables provide filling fiber and the hummus provides protein and healthy fats.
Yogurt and Nuts
- 1 cup Greek yogurt with 1 oz nuts – 190 calories
- 1 cup cottage cheese with 1 oz almonds – 210 calories
Yogurt provides calcium, probiotics and protein. The nuts add healthy fats and plant-based protein.
Air Popped Popcorn
- 3 cups air popped popcorn – 100 calories
Popcorn is a whole grain that provides filling fiber. Stick to air popped or low fat preparations.
Protein Bar
- 1 nutrition/protein bar – 190-200 calories
Look for bars with at least 5g fiber and 10g protein. The fiber and protein will help keep you full.
The Bottom Line
A 1.9 ounce Reese’s Pieces snack size package provides approximately 210 calories. This popular peanut butter candy is high in fat from chocolate and low in protein.
Reese’s Pieces can be enjoyed in moderation but should be balanced with healthier whole foods like fruits, vegetables and lean proteins as part of a varied diet. Be mindful of portion sizes to keep calories in check.
When consumed occasionally and in reasonable amounts, Reese’s Pieces can fit into a balanced diet. Just be sure to account for the high concentration of calories due to their calorie density.