Chocolate covered cherries, though popular during the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons, are available year round. This sweet treat, which can be made at home or bought at your favorite candy store, is made of Maraschino cherries covered in a sugary mixture, which is then dipped completely in chocolate.
Ingredients
The core of the chocolate covered cherry contains a maraschino cherry surrounded by butter, corn syrup, sweetened condensed milk, vanilla and confectioners' sugar. The outer candy shell is made by combining melted chocolate, milk or dark, with vegetable shortening.
Calories And Fat
Depending on the brand purchased or recipe followed, expect each serving of chocolate covered cherries to contain between 160 and 200 calories and 4 g to 7 g of fat, which is approximately three chocolate covered cherries. The calories and fat from candies falls into the U.S. Department of Agriculture's "discretionary calories" category. For those on a standard 2,000 calorie diet, the USDA recommends 1,735 calories come from categories such as grains, proteins, fruits and vegetables. This leaves 265 calories for discretionary indulgences.
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates provide the body with energy. Three pieces of commercially prepared chocolate covered cherries contains approximately 27 g of total carbohydrates; 23 g of carbohydrates are derived from sugars, and 1 g of carbohydrate comes in the form of dietary fiber.
Calcium and Iron
Iron is used by the body to help build the proteins that carry oxygen in the blood. Calcium is used to strengthen bones, control muscle movements and keep the nervous system functioning properly. Chocolate covered cherries provide a small amount of iron, 2 percent of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's recommended daily allowance. It also contains 4 percent of the body's daily requirement of calcium.
Nutritional Benefits of Chocolates
Chocolate possesses nutritional benefits not found on any label. Cocoa contains antioxidants known as flavonoids. According to the Cleveland Clinic, flavonoids help the cells resist damage. Adequate antioxidant consumption helps prevent a rise in LDL cholesterol, also known as "bad" cholesterol. Flavonoids also improve overall cardiovascular health by reducing blood pressure and improving blood flow to the heart and brain.
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