How Many Calories are in Different Jelly Bean Brands and Flavors?

Calories in Different Jelly Bean Brands

The number of calories in a jelly bean can vary slightly depending on the brand. Here is the calorie breakdown for some top brands:

Jelly Belly Jelly Beans

Jelly Belly is one of the most popular jelly bean brands. Here are the nutrition facts for their jelly beans:

• 1 Jelly Belly jelly bean: 4 calories
• 10 Jelly Belly jelly beans: 40 calories
• 20 Jelly Belly jelly beans: 80 calories
• 40 Jelly Belly jelly beans: 160 calories

Brach's Jelly Beans

Brach's is another leading jelly bean brand. The calorie counts for their jelly beans are:

• 1 Brach's jelly bean: 3.5 calories
• 10 Brach's jelly beans: 35 calories
• 20 Brach's jelly beans: 70 calories
• 40 Brach's jelly beans: 140 calories

Starburst Jelly Beans

Starburst makes a popular jelly bean variety. Here are the nutrition facts:

• 1 Starburst jelly bean: 4 calories
• 10 Starburst jelly beans: 40 calories
• 20 Starburst jelly beans: 80 calories
• 40 Starburst jelly beans: 160 calories

As you can see, most popular jelly bean brands contain around 3.5-4 calories per bean on average.

Factors Affecting Jelly Bean Calories

There are a few factors that cause calorie differences between jelly bean brands and flavors:

Ingredients

The main ingredients in jelly beans are sugar, corn syrup, and starch. Some brands use more sugar than others, which increases calories.

Coating

Many jelly beans have a glaze coating. Extra glazing like on gourmet beans adds additional calories.

Size

Larger jelly beans tend to have more calories than smaller beans. Jumbo beans can have 5+ calories each.

Flavors

Ingredients used to flavor beans can impact their calories. For example, cream-flavored beans tend to be higher in calories.

Calories in Different Jelly Bean Flavors

Speaking of flavors, let's take a look at how calories differ between popular jelly bean flavors:

Red Apple Jelly Beans

These fruity red apple flavored beans contain around 4 calories per bean.

Buttered Popcorn Jelly Beans

Buttered popcorn flavored jelly beans have roughly 4 calories each.

Root Beer Jelly Beans

You can expect around 4 calories in each of these soda-flavored beans.

Toasted Marshmallow Jelly Beans

These sweet marshmallow flavored treats have approximately 4.5 calories per bean.

Chocolate Pudding Jelly Beans

Rich chocolate pudding flavored jelly beans contain about 5 calories each.

Pia Colada Jelly Beans

These tropical pia colada flavored beans pack nearly 5 calories per piece.

As you can see, fruit and root beer flavors tend to be lower in calories, while creamier flavors like chocolate and marshmallow are higher.

Nutrition Facts for Jelly Beans

Now that we've covered calories, let's look at some other nutrition facts for a typical serving of jelly beans:

Serving Size

A standard serving size of jelly beans is 40 beans or 1/4 cup. This contains about 160 calories.

Total Fat

Jelly beans contain minimal fat, with around 0-1 grams per serving.

Sodium

They are low in sodium, with only around 10-25 mg per serving.

Total Carbohydrates

Carbs make up most of the calories, with around 38-42 grams per serving.

Protein

Jelly beans do not contain significant protein, with approximately 0-1 grams per serving.

Sugar

Around 30-35 grams of sugar make up the carb content. This is about 7-9 teaspoons of sugar per serving.

Bottom line - jelly beans are pure sugar with minimal nutritional value besides carbohydrate energy.

Daily Calorie Recommendations

To put jelly bean calories into context, here are some daily calorie intake recommendations based on age and gender:

Women

• 19-25 years old - 2,000-2,400 calories
• 26-50 years old - 1,800-2,400 calories
• 51+ years old - 1,600-2,200 calories

Men

• 19-25 years old - 2,400-3,000 calories
• 26-50 years old - 2,200-3,000 calories
• 51+ years old - 2,000-2,800 calories

This means a serving of 40 jelly beans would provide about 8-10% of daily calories for women and 5-7% for men.

Monitoring Your Jelly Bean Intake

While the occasional serving of jelly beans is fine for most people, they are easy to overeat. Here are some tips for enjoying jelly beans in moderation:

• Stick to small portions like 10-20 beans
• Measure portions into bags or bowls
• Opt for lower-calorie fruit flavors
• Pair with protein like nuts or cheese
• Drink water to offset sugar content
• Don't mindlessly eat directly from a full bag

Keeping portions controlled and being mindful as you snack on jelly beans can help satisfy your sweet tooth while avoiding excess calories.

Healthier Alternatives to Jelly Beans

If you're looking to cut back on sugar but still want a sweet treat, try these healthier jelly bean alternatives:

Dried Fruit

Dried fruits like raisins, cranberries, cherries, and apricots provide natural sweetness with more nutrition.

Fruit Snacks

Many fruit snack options are made with real fruit juice and have less added sugar than jelly beans.

Dark Chocolate Pieces

Snack on small portions of dark chocolate for an antioxidant and fiber boost.

Yogurt-Covered Snacks

Try yogurt-coated pretzels, raisins, nuts, or chocolate candies for a protein and calcium addition.

Frozen Grapes

Grab a handful of frozen grapes for a refreshing sweet treat that's naturally fat and sugar free.

With a little creativity, you can still enjoy snack time while providing your body with more nutritional benefits.

The Bottom Line

Jelly beans can be an enjoyable candy to eat in moderation. Most jelly beans contain around 3.5-4 calories each, with some variation between brands, flavors, and sizes. Keep an eye on portion sizes and be mindful as you snack to keep excess calories in check.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.