Russell Stover Candies started producing candy and chocolates in 1923, when Russell and Clara Stover opened a candy store in their hometown of Denver, Colorado. They sold the business in 1969. The candy now sells in more than 45 Russell Stover stores and in more than 70,000 other retail outlets worldwide. The business grew over time to meet the needs of people with various dietary needs, making sugar-free and net-carb candy and chocolates for those who need to monitor their carbohydrate intake.
Serving Size
According to the box label of Russell Stover Milk Chocolate Pecan/English Walnut Clusters, the suggested serving size is three pieces. Each box contains about 11 servings, or 33 chocolates. Three of these chocolates is a generous serving, as the National Institutes of Health (NIH) suggests eating sweets in moderation. According to the NIH, paying attention to portion size is as important as paying attention to what you eat, especially if you are trying to lose weight or monitor your cholesterol levels.
Calories
One serving of Pecan/English Walnut Clusters has 240 calories, with 160 calories from fat. Based on a recommended diet of 2,000 calories per day, three chocolates serve as 12 percent of your daily caloric intake. Total fat intake should be 20 to 35 percent of your total calories, according to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The fat in these chocolates makes up 67 percent of the total calories.
Fat and Cholesterol
Three Milk Chocolate Pecan/English Walnut Clusters contain 18 g of total fat, or 28 percent of the daily value; 5 g of saturated fat, or 27 percent of the daily value; and no trans fat. The chocolates also have 5 mg of cholesterol, which is 1 percent of the daily value.
Russell Stover manufactures sugar-free chocolates, which are a healthier substitution if you are trying to cut back on the fat in your diet. According to the package of Sugar-Free Pecan Delights, one serving contains 8.1 g of total fat, or 13 percent of the daily value; only 3.6 g of saturated fat, or 18 percent of the daily value; and no trans fat. The only drawback in opting for the sugar-free variety is that a serving size is only one piece of candy.
Carbohydrates and Protein
Russell Stover Pecan/English Walnut Clusters contain 17 g of carbohydrates, or 6 percent of the daily value. The nuts in the candy provide 1 g of dietary fiber, and the chocolates have 14 g of sugar. These particular chocolates contain 4 g of protein.
If you're watching your carbohydrate intake and still want to enjoy chocolate-covered nuts without eating 17 g of carbs, opt for Russell Stover Net Carb Chocolate Covered Almonds. According to the package, each chocolate-covered almond has 0.2 g of carbohydrates, with none coming from sugar. The serving size of the chocolate-covered almonds is 15 pieces, which contain a total of 3 g of carbohydrates. The almonds provide 6 g of protein per serving.
Warnings
These Russell Stover candies contain nuts, so do not consume them if you have nut allergies. Some of the sugar-free candies are made with maltitol syrup, which is a sugar alcohol. Sugar alcohols are generally safe, but when eaten in large quantities can have the effect of a laxative, reports the Mayo Clinic.
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