How many calories is in a tube of Smarties?

Quick Answer

A standard 5.29 ounce tube of Smarties contains approximately 850 calories. This is based on there being 150 calories in 34 Smarties, with a full tube containing approximately 340 Smarties. So the total calories can be estimated by multiplying 340 by 150 and dividing by 34, which comes out to around 850 calories for a full 5.29 ounce tube.

Calories in Smarties

Smarties are a popular candy coated chocolate snack. The calorie and nutrition information can vary slightly between different size packages, but here are some general guidelines:

– A single Smarties candy contains about 5-7 calories.

– There are typically 34 candies in a 1 ounce serving size. So a 1 ounce serving of Smarties contains approximately 150 calories.

– Standard Smarties tubes come in a 5.29 ounce size.

– Given that there are 150 calories in 34 candies, and a full 5.29 ounce tube contains around 340 candies, the total calories in a whole tube can be estimated as follows:

340 candies x 5-7 calories per candy = 1,700 – 2,380 total calories
1 ounce (34 candies) = 150 calories
5.29 ounces / 1 ounce = 340 candies
Therefore, 5.29 ounces x 150 calories per ounce = Approximately 850 calories

So a full 5.29 ounce tube of Smarties contains roughly 850 calories. This may vary slightly based on the exact number and size of candies in the tube. But 850 calories is a reasonable estimate for the entire tube.

Nutrition Facts for Smarties

In addition to calories, here is the typical nutrition information for a 5.29 ounce tube of Smarties:

Calories 850
Total Fat 31g
Saturated Fat 21g
Trans Fat 0g
Cholesterol 10mg
Sodium 54mg
Total Carbohydrates 131g
Dietary Fiber 2g
Sugars 114g
Protein 3g

As you can see, Smarties are high in calories, carbohydrates, sugar, and fat compared to other snacks. The amount of protein and fiber is low.

So while Smarties make for a fun occasional treat, they do not offer much in terms of nutritious value. The high sugar and saturated fat content makes them more of a candy than a healthy snack choice.

Calories in Different Candy Products

To put the 850 calories in a tube of Smarties into context, here is a comparison of the calories in some other popular candy products:

Candy Product Calories
Mini Candy Bar Variety Pack (40 count) 840
Fun Size Snickers Bar 80
Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Bar (1.55 oz) 220
M&M’s Pouch (1.69 oz) 250
Twizzlers Pull n’ Peel (16 pieces) 320
Jolly Rancher Bag (6 oz) 370
Laffy Taffy Bag (5 oz) 460
Skittles Original Candy (2.17 oz) 250
Starburst Original Pack (2.07 oz) 270
Swedish Fish Bag (6 oz) 370
Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups Bag (8 pieces) 520

This gives you a sense of how the 850 calories in Smarties compares to some other popular candy options. As you can see, many miniature or “fun size” candy bars contain around 80-100 calories each. So a full tube of Smarties contains as many calories as 8-10 fun size candy bars.

Compared to other fruity or chocolate candies, Smarties have a similar calorie density. For example, a 5 ounce bag of Laffy Taffy has 460 calories, while 6 ounces of Swedish Fish has 370 calories.

So while the specific calorie count may vary between products, Smarties contain a comparable number of calories to other popular candies when portion sizes are adjusted. The main difference, as noted earlier, is that Smarties offer less nutritive value than something like a chocolate bar.

Daily Calorie Needs

To determine how 850 calories fits into a healthy daily diet, it helps to understand general calorie needs. Here are some averages for daily calorie requirements:

– Women
– Sedentary (little/no exercise): 1,800 – 2,000 calories
– Moderately Active (light exercise 3-5 days/week): 2,000 – 2,200 calories
– Active (exercise 6-7 days/week): 2,400 calories

– Men
– Sedentary (little/no exercise): 2,200 – 2,400 calories
– Moderately Active (light exercise 3-5 days/week): 2,600 – 2,800 calories
– Active (exercise 6-7 days/week): 3,000 calories

These numbers are just averages and can vary based on age, body composition, and other factors. But in general:

– For women, a tube of Smarties represents 35-50% of total daily calories

– For men, a tube of Smarties represents 30-40% of total daily calories

Consuming 850 calories from a candy like Smarties would make it difficult to meet nutrition needs while staying within calorie limits for the day. It would leave much less room for nutritious foods that provide protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals.

So while an occasional treat of Smarties as part of an otherwise balanced diet is fine, making it a regular habit could push out healthier foods and lead to nutritional deficiencies. Moderation is key when it comes to candy and sweets in the diet.

Calorie Needs for Weight Loss

For those looking to lose weight, daily calorie needs are lower than averages. Here are some general guidelines for weight loss calorie goals:

– Women
– Mild weight loss (1 lb/week): 1,200 – 1,500 calories
– Moderate weight loss (1.5 lbs/week): 1,000 – 1,200 calories

– Men
– Mild weight loss (1 lb/week): 1,500 – 1,800 calories
– Moderate weight loss (1.5 lbs/week): 1,200 – 1,500 calories

Based on these estimates, an 850 calorie tube of Smarties would provide:

– Women: 60-70% of total daily calories for weight loss

– Men: 50-70% of total daily calories for weight loss

Consuming this much from a low-nutrient dense candy would severely limit foods that provide protein, fiber and nutrients needed when calorie intake is reduced.

For weight loss diets, it is best to avoid calorie-dense, nutrition-poor foods like Smarties as much as possible. Occasional small portions can be incorporated into weight loss plans, but making it a regular habit could sabotage weight loss efforts by displacing healthier foods from the diet.

Smarties as Part of a Healthy Diet

While treats like Smarties should be limited, they can potentially be incorporated into a healthy diet in moderation. Here are some tips:

– Stick to single serving sizes rather than entire tubes

– Balance treat with nutritious foods instead of other candy/desserts

– Pay attention to hunger/fullness cues and avoid mindless overeating

– Be physically active to allow for occasional treats while maintaining calorie deficit

– Choose Smarties over candy with trans fats, like some chocolate bars

– Pick mini or fun size packs rather than large bags/boxes when portioning

– Mix Smarties trail mix with nuts and dried fruit for more nutrition

– Enjoy as part of a special occasion rather than a daily habit

The bottom line is calories from Smarties can fit into a healthy diet, but should be monitored carefully and limited to occasional small portions. Emphasizing nutrient-dense whole foods, controlling portions, and staying active are the best ways to enjoy the occasional treat without sabotaging your health.

Conclusion

A standard 5.29 ounce tube of Smarties contains approximately 850 calories. This accounts for around 30-50% of typical daily calorie needs, making Smarties more of an occasional treat than a daily snack choice. When eaten in moderation as part of an overall healthy diet, enjoying some Smarties can be fine. But regularly consuming whole tubes in place of more nutritious foods should be avoided, especially for those limiting calories for weight management. Monitoring your overall diet quality and activity levels is the key to enjoying candy like Smarties in balance.

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