Satisfying Your Sweet Tooth with Low Calorie Mini Treats
When a dessert craving hits, it can be tempting to grab whatever candy bar or cookie is conveniently close. But those sweet snacks often pack a bigger caloric punch than expected. Just one standard size Snickers bar tips the scales at 215 calories - and few of us stop at just one! Before you know it, hundreds of extra calories from high-sugar treats can sabotage your health goals.
Luckily there are smart ways to indulge your sweet tooth while keeping your calorie count under control. Mini and bite-sized candy options let you enjoy sweetness without overdoing the calories. Read on to discover better-for-you mini candy bars, cookies, ice cream and more to satisfy cravings guilt-free!
Why Mini Sizing Makes Sense
When you're aiming to lose weight or improve nutrition, every calorie counts. Choosing mini snack options offers advantages:
- Bite-size portions control serving size naturally
- Lower net calories per piece compared to full bars
- Easy to account for small treats when tracking diet
- Allows greater variety and mix-and-match snacking
Plus, getting to enjoy a sampling of goodies often proves more psychologically satisfying than denying cravings entirely. Making smart mini selections allows having your cake and eating it too!
Our Picks for Low Cal Mini Sized Sweets
From mini candy wraps to ice cream sandwiches, check out these delicious bites that ring in at 200 calories or less.
1. Mini Reese's Peanut Butter Cups
Why choose when you can have both chocolate and peanut butter? Each peanut butter-filled milk chocolate cup delivers the perfect combo in a tasty two-bite portion.
Serving Size: 2 mini cups Calories: 1402. Hershey's Miniatures Assortment
This classic Halloween candy mix now comes packaged for anytime enjoyment. Includes 5 delightful miniature candy bars from Hershey's, Kit Kat and Reese's.
Serving Size: 5 mini bars Calories: 1283. Mini Snickers
All the sweet satisfaction of a full-size Snickers bar shrunk into a petite bundle of chocolate, caramel and peanuts.
Serving Size: 2 mini bars Calories: 1324. Brookside Dark Chocolate Acai with Blueberry
For a fruit-filled, antioxidant-rich candy option, these real berry infused dark chocolate pieces make a deliciously healthy choice.
Serving Size: 8 pieces Calories: 1205. Mini Chips Ahoy
Chocolate chip cookies get even more fun-sized in these bite-size adaptations of a household favorite. Whip up an ice cream sandwich or just enjoy out of hand!
Serving Size: 5 cookies Calories: 1006. Petite Vanilla Bean Halo Top
The lowest calorie ice cream on the market unveils perfectly portioned cups. Creamy vanilla bean light ice cream tops a crunchy chocolate waffle cone bowl.
Serving Size: 1 petite cup Calories: 60-707. Yasso Frozen Greek Yogurt Bars
Real Greek yogurt and wholesome ingredients blend for a lighter, tangy frozen dessert on a stick. Flavors like cinnamon bun feel indulgent at just 100 calories apiece.
Serving Size: 1 bar Calories: 1008. Mini Stick Ice Pops
Refreshing nutritious mixed fruit juice blends freeze into healthy low cal frozen treats. No added sugar means more nutrients in fewer calories.
Serving Size: 2 mini pops Calories: 80Tips for Choosing Low Calorie Mini Desserts
Not all bite-sized options are created equal when it comes to nutrition. By keeping these smart selection tips in mind, you can make the healthiest choices to satisfy sweet cravings without excess calories:
Compare Calorie Counts
Carefully check nutrition labels and choose the lowest calorie products. Two seemingly similar mini cookies or candy bars can have quite different impacts.
Control Portions
Just because mini desserts are small doesn't give free rein to eat endlessly. Stick to reasonable serving sizes around 100-150 calories. Measure out treats to stay mindful.
Mix And Match For Variety
Buy an assortment of different mini candy options and alternate between them for more diversity and nutrition.
Savory Over Sweet
Select more nutritious mini snacks like dried edamame, mini rice cakes or air-popped popcorn when you can. Added sugars should be occasional treats.
Read Ingredient Lists
Choose products with short natural ingredient lists, avoiding additives like partially hydrogenated oils. Pick options with fruit, nuts or whole grains over candy.
The Skinny on Mini Candy Nutrition Facts
Wondering just what's inside those tempting little treats? Here's the low-down on typical mini candy nutrition:
Sugar Content
Candy bars, milk chocolate and cookies derive most calories from sugar. For example, a mini Reese's has 9g total sugars. Some fruit-based options like Brookside acai berries offer lighter 7g sugars.
Fat And Saturated Fat
Mini candies deliver 2-7g fat per typical serving, depending on ingredients. Desserts with chocolate, peanut butter or cream contain more heart-harming saturated fat around 3 grams.
Fiber And Protein
Most mini candies lack dietary fiber or protein to balance out sugar content. Certain picks like mini dark chocolate pretzel crisps or Kind clusters offer a gram or two more nutritional value.
Vitamins And Minerals
Candy is never a good source of essential vitamins and minerals overall. However, some like Brookside do supply antioxidant compounds from concentrated fruit juices.
Bottom line - moderation remains key with mini candies to keep your overall diet nutritionally sound. But as occasional treats, they help satisfy cravings.
Creative Ways To Work Mini Sweets Into Your Diet
Once you've stocked up on all sorts of delicious mini candy options, get creative with sweet ways to enjoy them! Here are ideas to inspire you:
Dessert Toppers
Crush mini cookies or candies to sprinkle as garnish over frozen yogurt, ice cream, pudding and more. Dress up plain Greek yogurt beautifully!
Mix With Fruit
Toss mini chocolates into a fresh berry medley for a balanced antioxidants and indulgence. Melted mini chips also make tasty chocolate fondue dipper.
Layer Parfaits
Build pretty parfaits by layering mini cookies or candies with whipped cream and fruit in a glass. Grab a colorful mini umbrella pick for a fancy touch!
Float On Drinks
Plop a few mini candies like Dove squares or mini Reese's cups into hot cocoa, milkshake or smoothie for extra sweet sip-able fun.
Trail Mix Add-Ins
Spike nut and dried fruit trail mixes with dark chocolate morsels, yogurt-covered raisins or mini M&Ms for tasty flavor and texture contrast.
The Takeaway on Low-Calorie Mini Candy Options
Satisfying sweet cravings doesn't have to sabotage your healthy diet - not when there are so many flavorful mini candy options to choose from! By picking smart portion-controlled treats under 200 calories, you can keep calories in check while enjoying snacking diversity.
Let mini candies creatively enhance other healthy foods too like yogurt, oatmeal and smoothies. Or surprise your Valentine with a medley of bite-sized sweets! Any way you try them, moderating mini candy treats ensures you can have your bite and eat it too while supporting your nutrition goals.
FAQs
Are mini candies really lower in calories?
Yes, mini and bite-sized candy options tend to be fewer calories per piece since the overall serving size is smaller. For example, two mini Reese's cups total 140 calories versus a standard 210 calorie cup.
What are the healthiest mini candy choices?
Some healthier mini candy options include Brookside dark chocolate berry blends, yogurt covered treats, mini chips ahoy cookies, and low sugar mini ice cream bars or fudge pops. Check labels and pick options lower in sugars and unhealthy fats.
Can I still lose weight eating mini candies?
You can enjoy occasional mini sweets and still lose weight by controlling portions, counting calories, and sticking to treats under 200 calories per serving a few times per week max while following an overall reduced calorie diet.
How should I store opened mini candies?
For best freshness and texture once opened, store mini candies in a sealed container at cool room temperature out of heat and sun. Mini chocolate bars can also refrigerate well for extended life. Avoid freezing most mini candies, which impacts quality.
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.
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