Russell Stover has been making candy and chocolates since 1923. The company states that they constantly strive to maintain quality, service and value when making their products. Their sugar free dark chocolate is a moderate calorie treat, according to the Food and Drug Association, that is made with sucralose in place of sugar.
Calories
Russell Stover sugar free dark chocolate comes in both regular size bars and mini bars. One half of a bar or 5 mini bars provide 200 calories. Of these, 130 to 140 calories are from fat. This means that over half of the chocolate's calories come from fat. One serving of the chocolate makes up about 10 percent of your daily recommended calorie intake.
Fat
There are 15 grams of fat in a serving of Russell Stover sugar free dark chocolate. Over half of the fat in the chocolate is considered saturated fat. At nine grams of saturated fat, a serving of Russell Stover sugar free dark chocolate makes up about 45 percent of your daily saturated fat limit. According to the American Heart Association, saturated fat is linked to higher cholesterol levels and an increased risk of heart disease.
Carbohydrates
In the body, carbohydrates are broken down into sugars which enter the blood. Those with diabetes have trouble handling these sugars and need to monitor their intake of carbohydrates to prevent high blood sugar levels. A serving of Russell Stover sugar free dark chocolate contains 22 grams of carbohydrates. Despite being somewhat high in carbohydrates, 18 to 19 grams of the carbohydrates come from sucralose. Elmhurst College states, sucralose is over 600 times sweeter than sugar. Also known as Splenda, sucralose is sugar that has been changed so that it can pass through the body without being broken down. This means it is essentially calorie free and will have little effect on blood sugar levels.
Protein
There are two grams of protein in a serving of Russell Stover sugar free dark chocolate. Because the product does not claim to be high in protein, the Food and Drug Administration states, they do not have to list a percent daily value for protein. While the chocolate does contain some protein, it is important to consume other protein sources in the diet to help meet daily protein needs. Protein needs vary from person to person based on age, gender and activity level. Talk to your doctor to determine if you are meeting your protein needs.
References
- Walgreens: Russell Stover Sugar Free Dark Chocolate
- Wegmans: Russell Stover Sugar Free Dark Chocolate Miniatures
- Russell Stover: About Russell Stover Candies
- The Food and Drug Administration: How to Understand and use the Nutrition Facts Label
- The American Heart Association: Know Your Fats
- Elmhurst College: Sucralose or Splenda
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