Quick Answer
There are about 4 calories in each regular sized sour skittle. The exact amount can vary slightly depending on the specific flavor. Sour skittles are small chewy candies that pack a flavor punch despite their tiny size. They provide mostly empty calories from sugar with minimal nutritional value. Moderation is key when enjoying these tantalizing treats.
Calorie Count of Sour Skittles
Sour skittles contain between 3.5 to 4 calories per piece. Here is the calorie breakdown for some popular flavors:
| Sour Skittle Flavor | Calories per Piece |
| Cherry | 4 calories |
| Orange | 4 calories |
| Lemon | 4 calories |
| Grape | 3.5 calories |
| Green Apple | 4 calories |
As you can see, most flavors contain 4 calories per skittle. The minor variation is due to slight differences in the relative sugar and starch content between flavors. Overall, the calorie count is quite consistent.
Serving Size
The standard small bag of sour skittles contains around 56 pieces and weights 1.8 ounces (51 grams). A 56 piece serving provides about 224 calories.
Some larger pack sizes are also available:
– Fun size pouch: 15 pieces, 60 calories
– Sharing size bag: 178 pieces, 712 calories
– Movie theater box: 250 pieces, 1000 calories
So the total calorie intake can add up quickly if you eat multiple servings! Sticking to the single serving bag is best for limiting excess sugar and calories.
Nutritional Profile
Aside from calories, here is the full nutritional information in 1 serving (56 pieces or 51g) of sour skittles:
| Total Fat | 0 g |
| Saturated Fat | 0 g |
| Trans Fat | 0 g |
| Cholesterol | 0 mg |
| Sodium | 9 mg |
| Total Carbohydrate | 56 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 0 g |
| Total Sugars | 41 g |
| Added Sugars | 41 g |
| Protein | 0 g |
As you can see, sour skittles contain 0g fat, 0g fiber, and minimal protein. The main nutrients are carbohydrates and sugar, which account for the calories. There are 41g total sugars per serving, all of which are added sugars. So sour skittles are essentially pure sugar delivery vehicles!
Sugar Content
The sugar content deserves a special call-out. With 41g added sugar per serving, sour skittles exceed the maximum daily recommendation for added sugars intake.
The American Heart Association recommends:
– Men: No more than 36g added sugars per day
– Women: No more than 25g added sugars per day
So just one serving of sour skittles accounts for more added sugar than you should consume in an entire day! This sugar overload is why candies like these should be enjoyed in moderation as an occasional treat.
Ingredients
Here are the ingredients that go into making sour skittles:
– Sugar
– Corn syrup
– Fruit juice concentrates (for flavor)
– Citric acid (provides sour taste)
– Natural and artificial flavors
– Gelatin
– Food colorings (Red 40, Yellow 5, Blue 1, etc)
As you can see, sugar is the primary ingredient. Corn syrup acts as an additional sweetener. The fruit juice concentrates provide each flavor’s signature taste. Citric acid gives skittles their sour punch. And gelatin and food colorings give them their chewy texture and vibrant appearance.
Sugar Sources
There are two main sources of sugar in sour skittles:
1. Plain granulated sugar
2. Corn syrup
Together they account for the high 41g of total sugars per serving. The corn syrup also contributes to the chewy, gummy texture.
Some Candy brands are starting to release “all natural” versions without corn syrup. But these alternatives still contain plenty of regular cane sugar. So their calorie and carb content remains quite similar to standard skittles.
How Many Pieces in a Serving
As mentioned earlier, a standard 56 piece serving of sour skittles contains about 4 calories per piece. Here is the breakdown for other common serving sizes:
| Serving Size | Calories | Calories per Piece |
| Fun size pouch (15 pieces) | 60 calories | 4 calories |
| Snack size (32 pieces) | 128 calories | 4 calories |
| Sharing size (178 pieces) | 712 calories | 4 calories |
| Single pack (250 pieces) | 1000 calories | 4 calories |
The standard amount is about 4 calories per sour skittle. This holds true regardless of the pack size.
So if you eat a non-standard amount, you can figure out the calories by multiplying the number of pieces by 4. For example:
– 25 skittles = 25 * 4 calories = 100 calories
– 10 skittles = 10 * 4 calories = 40 calories
– 100 skittles = 100 * 4 calories = 400 calories
Serving Size FAQs
**How many skittles are in one serving?**
– One serving of sour skittles is 56 pieces (51 grams). This is the contents of a standard single serve 1.8 oz bag.
**How many servings in a big bag?**
– Large bags meant for sharing contain about 3 servings per bag. A 180 gram (6.3 oz) bag has around 178 pieces total, or about 3 x 56 piece servings.
**How many pieces in a fun size?**
– Fun size pouches are designed to be a quarter serving. They contain around 15 pieces (1/4 of 56).
So check the pack size to determine how many servings it contains. Then multiply the 56 piece/serving amount accordingly to figure out the totals.
Sour Skittles vs Original Skittles
How do sour skittles compare to regular skittles in terms of calories and nutritional content? Let’s see:
| Nutrition Facts | Sour Skittles (51g) | Original Skittles (50g) |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 224 | 200 |
| Total Fat | 0g | 2g |
| Carbs | 56g | 50g |
| Sugar | 41g | 38g |
Sour skittles contain slightly more calories and carbohydrates than regular skittles. They have 224 calories vs 200 calories in original. And 56g carbs vs 50g carbs.
Both have minimal fat. But the regular skittles contain 2g fat compared to 0g in sour.
Sour skittles also edge out regular skittles in sugar content. They contain 41g vs 38g of sugar per serving.
The differences are minor. But the extra sugar provides the intense sour fruit flavor that sour skittles are known for!
Flavor Varieties
Popular sour skittles flavors include:
– Cherry
– Orange
– Lemon
– Grape
– Green apple
While original skittles flavors include:
– Strawberry
– Grape
– Orange
– Green apple
– Lemon
Both are available in a range of fun fruity flavors. But sour skittles have a more tart, tangy taste profile compared to the sweeter original.
Health Impact of Sour Skittles
Sour skittles are a sugary candy treat that provide little nutritional value. Aside from calories, they contain minimal complete proteins, healthy fats, vitamins, minerals, or fiber.
However, they can still be enjoyed in moderation as part of an overall balanced diet. Here are some things to consider:
Sugar Rush
With 41g added sugar per serving, sour skittles can deliver a quick sugar high. This could be followed by a “crash” as blood sugar spikes and plummets. Consuming them with other carbs or protein can help mitigate this effect.
Tooth Decay
The sugary coatings can damage tooth enamel over time and lead to cavities if oral hygiene is inadequate. Be sure to brush after eating them!
Obesity Risk
The empty calories from sugar can contribute to weight gain if consumed in excess. Portion control is key.
Diabetes Concerns
The high sugar load can be problematic for diabetics or pre-diabetics. Checking blood sugar levels after eating sour skittles is recommended.
Hyperactivity
Some children may become hyperactive after consuming sugary snacks like these. Keep this in mind for young kids.
So be mindful of portions, frequency, and dental hygiene for best results. Sour skittles can be safely enjoyed as an occasional snack when eaten in moderation as part of healthy lifestyle.
Tips for Eating Sour Skittles
Here are some tips for enjoying sour skittles in a healthy way:
– Stick to the standard single serve pack instead of oversized bags.
– Savor a few pieces at a time instead of the whole pack.
– Avoid mindless munching directly from the bag.
– Portion out serving sizes into small bowls to control intake.
– Consume with other foods like fruit that offer nutrition.
– Brush teeth after or rinse mouth with water to prevent sugar residue buildup.
– Adjust quantities for children and limit hyperactivity risks.
– Incorporate into varied diet and balance with nutrient-dense foods.
– Save as an occasional treat, not a daily indulgence.
Following healthy sour skittles eating tips will help you satisfy your candy cravings while avoiding nutrition pitfalls!
Cooking and Baking with Sour Skittles
Beyond eating sour skittles straight from the bag, they can also be incorporated into recipes for a flavor and texture boost. Here are some ways to use sour skittles in cooking and baking:
Skittles Cake
Add sour skittles into cake batter before baking or sprinkle them on top of frosted cakes for a fruity crunch. They’ll melt throughout the cake adding bright flavor.
Candy Crusts
Mix crushed sour skittles with butter and press into a pan to form a unique cheesecake, banana bread or other dessert crust.
Skittles Vodka
Steep sour skittles in vodka for several days to infuse the flavors. Use as a cocktail mixer.
Flavor Powders
Blend sour skittles into a fine powder to use as a tangy flavor dust. Sprinkle on cookies, popcorn or fruits.
Homemade Sour Candy
Melt sour skittles with some water to create your own DIY soft sour chews. Pour into molds and refrigerate until set.
Let your creativity run wild when using sour skittles to enhance all kinds of dishes beyond just snacking!
Where to Buy Sour Skittles
Sour skittles are widely available at most major grocery stores, convenience stores, discount retailers, and online. Here are some common places that stock them:
Grocery Stores
– Walmart
– Target
– Kroger
– Safeway
– Albertsons
– Publix
– Winn-Dixie
Convenience Stores
– 7-Eleven
– Wawa
– Circle K
– QuickTrip
Discount Retailers
– Dollar Tree
– Dollar General
– Family Dollar
Online
– Amazon.com
– Candywarehouse.com
– Freshdirect.com
– Vitacost.com
Sour skittles typically retail between $1 to $3 per standard single serve pack. Larger bags and bulk packs offer a lower per-piece cost.
Check your local supermarket candy aisle or convenience store checkout for packs of these mouth-puckering candies!
History of Sour Skittles
Skittles have been around since 1974, originally produced in the UK. Sour skittles were first introduced in the mid 1990’s.
Here’s an overview of sour skittles history:
1974
– Parent company Mars Limited launches original Skittles candies in Britain.
1979
– Skittles makes its debut in the American market after acquiring a license from Mars.
Mid 1990’s
– Sour Skittles variety is released with tangy fruit flavors.
2009
– Limited edition “Tropical Skittles” packs released featuring mango and other tropical fruit flavors.
2013 – Present
– Various new Limited Edition releases:
– Crazy Cores (duo flavors)
– Sweet Heat (spicy)
– Wild Berry
– Chocolate mix packs
– All Pink packs (for breast cancer charity)
– Zombie Skittles (Halloween)
After over 4 decades, skittles continue to evolve with novel limited run flavor innovations to keep fans excited year after year!
Nutrition Facts Label
Here is an image showing the complete nutrition facts label for sour skittles:
The label provides full details on calorie, sugar, carb, protein and vitamin content. Reviewing the label is an easy way to get the comprehensive nutrition information for sour skittles at a glance.
Conclusion
In summary, standard sized sour skittles contain about 4 calories and 1g of sugar each. A typical 56 piece serving provides 224 calories with 41g of added sugars. They are low in fat and protein and contain no fiber. Sour skittles get most of their calories from sugar and carbs. They should be enjoyed in moderation as an occasional treat. Follow healthy snacking habits and incorporate them as part of a balanced diet. Now that you know exactly how many calories are in a sour skittle, you can satisfy your sweet and sour cravings in a mindful way!
