8 Popular Sweets With More to Offer Than Sugar
Sweets are usually chosen for enjoyment, but some also contain fibre, protein or useful minerals. These extras do not cancel out the sugar and fat, so the full label still matters.
Dark chocolate and milk chocolate
Dark chocolate can provide fibre and minerals from cocoa, including iron and magnesium. The amount varies with the cocoa content and portion size, so compare labels rather than assuming every dark bar is alike.
Milk chocolate contains milk solids, which may contribute some protein and calcium. It often has less cocoa and more sugar than darker varieties, but the exact balance depends on the recipe.
Peanut sweets and nut brittle
Chocolate-covered peanuts and peanut-filled sweets can contain protein, unsaturated fat and fibre from the nuts. Their chocolate, sugar and fillings still count, so log the complete sweet rather than recording peanuts alone.
Nut brittle retains some of the protein, fats and minerals naturally present in almonds, peanuts or other nuts. As the nuts are held together with a concentrated sugar mixture, weighing the portion is more reliable than estimating by the number of pieces.
Sesame snaps and coconut sweets
Sesame snaps can offer fibre, unsaturated fat and minerals such as calcium and iron from the seeds. Seed content differs between products, and a thin snap can still contain plenty of added sugar.
Coconut sweets may supply some fibre and fat from desiccated coconut. Recipes vary widely in their balance of coconut, sugar, chocolate and milk ingredients, so use the nutrition information for the version you ate.
Chocolate raisins and fruit gummies
Chocolate-covered raisins retain some fibre and minerals from the dried fruit, alongside the energy supplied by the coating. They are compact and easy to eat quickly, which makes a measured portion useful when tracking.
Fruit gummies mainly provide carbohydrate, which can be a convenient source of quick energy during prolonged activity. Fruit flavour does not necessarily mean meaningful fruit content, fibre or vitamins, so check the ingredients and avoid logging them as fresh fruit.