How healthy is milk chocolate?
Is milk chocolate healthy? It can fit a healthy diet as a treat. Milk chocolate scores 6/100 on the HowHealthyIs Score: 100 g provides 535 kcal, 7.7 g protein and 63 mg magnesium. Milk chocolate is about half sugar, with less cocoa (and so less iron and magnesium) than dark chocolate. Source: USDA FoodData Central.
Score explained
The score compares nutrient density per 100 kcal across every food we cover (NRF9.3 method). Milk chocolate ranks higher than 6% of them.
Counts in favor (% daily value per 100 kcal)
- Protein3%
- Magnesium3%
- Calcium3%
- Iron2%
- Fiber2%
- Potassium1%
- Vitamin A1%
- Vitamin E1%
- Vitamin C0%
Counts against
- Saturated fat17%
- Added sugars17%
- Sodium1%
Raw NRF9.3: 16 minus 35 = -18. The score is not a verdict on whether to eat a food; portion, the whole meal and your own health matter more. Full methodology
How many calories are in milk chocolate?
| Nutrient | Per 100 g | Per portion | %DV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Energy and macronutrients | |||
| Calories | 535 kcal | 235 kcal | |
| Protein | 7.7 g | 3.4 g | 7% |
| Carbohydrates | 59 g | 26 g | 10% |
| Fiber | 3.4 g | 1.5 g | 5% |
| Sugars | 52 g | 23 g | |
| Added sugars | 45 g | 20 g | 40% |
| Fat | 30 g | 13 g | 17% |
| Saturated fat | 19 g | 8.1 g | 41% |
| Vitamins | |||
| Vitamin A | 59 µg | 26 µg | 3% |
| Vitamin C | 0 mg | 0 mg | 0% |
| Vitamin E | 0.5 mg | 0.2 mg | 1% |
| Minerals | |||
| Calcium | 189 mg | 83 mg | 6% |
| Iron | 2.4 mg | 1 mg | 6% |
| Potassium | 372 mg | 164 mg | 3% |
| Magnesium | 63 mg | 28 mg | 7% |
| Sodium | 79 mg | 35 mg | 2% |
Source: USDA FoodData Central, "Candies, milk chocolate" (FDC 167587). Values rounded.
Why is milk chocolate good for you?
A typical portion does not supply 10% or more of the daily value for any of the nine nutrients we score.
Good ways to use it
- A small treat
- Switching to 70% dark chocolate
What should you watch out for?
- High in added sugar and saturated fat.
What can you eat instead of milk chocolate?
Foods you can use the same way with a higher HowHealthyIs Score.