Sweet Treat or Sugar Bomb: Breaking Down the Calories in Swedish Fish

With their gummy texture and fruity flavors, Swedish Fish candies can be hard to resist. But before you dive into a whole bag, you may wonder – are these sweet treats secretly packed with calories and sugar? Let’s find out!

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the complete nutrition profile of classic Swedish Fish. You’ll see the calorie count, ingredients, and how they fit into a balanced diet. Read on for the full scoop on this nostalgic candy.

Total Calories in Swedish Fish

According to the nutrition facts, here are the calories in a serving of Swedish Fish:

• Serving size: 19 pieces (40g)
• Total calories: 140

With 140 calories per serving, Swedish Fish deliver a solid dose of calories. But they aren’t excessively high for candy. We’ll break the sources down next

Carbs Are the Culprit

What makes up those 140 calories in Swedish Fish? Let’s look at the main nutrients:

• Total fat: 0g
• Total carbs: 36g
• Protein: 0g

As you can see, these candies get nearly 100% of calories from carbohydrates, mainly sugar. There is minimal fat or protein.

This nutrient profile is typical for gummy candies, which derive their soft texture from corn syrup, sucrose, and other carb-based ingredients. The fruity flavors also come from sugar.

Ingredients: Gelatin and Sugar Galore

Digging into the ingredients list, Swedish Fish contain:

• Corn syrup – Thick sweetener that provides a chewy gummy texture
• Sugar – Granulated white sugar adds sweetness and calories
• Gelatin – Protein that allows the candies to solidify into a firm gummy texture
• Natural flavors – Extracts and oils that replicate fruity tastes like cherry, lime and raspberry
• Colors – FD&C dyes like Red 40 and Yellow 5 provide vibrant colors

As you can see, corn syrup and regular sucrose sugar are the main sources of carbohydrates and calories. The gelatin makes them rubbery and gummy.

How Swedish Fish Compare to Other Candies

To put those 140 calories into context, here’s how Swedish Fish stack up against other popular candies:

• Skittles – 150 calories per serving
• Starburst – 140 calories
• Haribo gummy bears – 140 calories
• Sour Patch Kids – 140 calories
• Twizzlers – 140 calories
• M&Ms – 210 calories

Swedish Fish contain about the same calories as most gummy candies. Chocolate or candy coated varieties like M&Ms tend to be higher.

So while Swedish Fish aren’t low calorie, they’re about average for candy. Now let’s look at sugar content.

The Sugar Rush

In addition to calories, Swedish Fish pack a big dose of sugar:

• Total sugar per serving: 29g

That equals nearly 7 teaspoons of added sugar in one serving – a full day’s worth for some diet recommendations.

The American Heart Association recommends a max of 36g/9 teaspoons of added sugar per day for adult men, and 25g/6 teaspoons for women. Clearly, Swedish Fish can quickly meet or exceed your daily limit in just one serving!

Enjoying Swedish Fish in Moderation

With 29g of sugar and 140 calories per serving, Swedish Fish aren’t a diet or low calorie food. But enjoyed occasionally in moderation, they can be part of an overall healthy lifestyle.

Here are some tips for keeping your Swedish Fish habit under control:

• Stick to a single serving size instead of the whole bag
• Balance with more protein and fiber at the same meal
• Choose mini or fun size packs for portion control
• Enjoy them just 1-2 times per week as a treat
• Select lower calorie snacks like fresh fruit most days

By carefully watching portions and limiting frequency, you can satisfy your cravings for these fruity gummy candies without going overboard on sugar and calories.

Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth – Just Don’t Drown In Sugar

With their brightly colored gummy shells and tantalizing fruity flavors, Swedish Fish offer an irresistible sweet treat. But at 140 calories and 29g of sugar per serving, they aren’t the healthiest daily snack. Practice moderation and balance to keep their calories, carbs and sugar under control. Then you can savor these sweet candies as part of an overall balanced diet!