Whole food · Sweets

Photo: Wikipedia
The Milky Way Bar is a classic American candy bar featuring a soft, malted nougat center, a layer of caramel, and a smooth milk chocolate coating. Its texture is uniquely light and airy compared to denser bars, offering a sweet, malty, and caramel-forward flavor profile. Nutritionally, it is a high-energy, sugar-dense treat, with nearly 60g of sugar per 100g, making it a significant source of quick carbohydrates.
People love the Milky Way for its distinctively soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture and the harmonious blend of malty nougat and chewy caramel under a chocolate shell. It's a nostalgic, iconic candy bar often associated with movie nights and casual snacking, offering a familiar and comforting sweet experience.
Its high sugar content (nearly 60g per 100g) can cause rapid blood-sugar spikes, making it unsuitable for those managing diabetes or seeking sustained energy. To counteract this, pair it with a source of protein or fat (like a handful of nuts) to slow sugar absorption, and practice strict portion control by enjoying a smaller piece rather than a full bar. Individuals with dairy allergies or sensitivities should also be cautious due to milk ingredients.
The original Milky Way bar was created in 1923 by Frank C. Mars and was inspired by the malted milkshakes popular at the time, which is why its nougat has that distinct malt flavor.
| Water | 6.3 g |
| Energy | 456 kcal |
| Energy | 1907 kj |
| Protein | 4.0 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 17.2 g |
| Ash | 1.3 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 71.2 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 1.0 g |
| Total Sugars | 59.7 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 115 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.49 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 20.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 67.0 mg |
| Potassium, K | 124 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 167 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.69 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.15 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.15 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 2.0 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.70 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.05 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.10 mg |
| Niacin | 0.15 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.15 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.01 mg |
| Folate, total | 4.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 4.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 4.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 16.5 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.18 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 31.0 ug |
| Retinol | 31.0 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 4.0 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 110 iu |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 1.0 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.89 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3), International Units | 16.0 iu |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.40 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 3.6 ug |
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 12.0 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.18 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.09 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.30 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.34 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 4.0 g |
| SFA 13:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 1.6 g |
| SFA 15:0 | 0.02 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 2.6 g |
| SFA 17:0 | 0.02 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 2.9 g |
| SFA 20:0 | 0.05 g |
| SFA 22:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 24:0 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 2.2 g |
| MUFA 14:1 | 0.02 g |
| MUFA 15:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.06 g |
| MUFA 17:1 | 0.01 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 2.1 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 24:1 c | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 0.26 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.23 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.03 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:2 n-6 c,c | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:3 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans | 0.21 g |
| Cholesterol | 9.0 mg |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 6.0 mg |
| Theobromine | 64.0 mg |
What is the difference between a Milky Way and a 3 Musketeers bar?
A Milky Way contains a layer of caramel in addition to the malted nougat, while a 3 Musketeers bar has only the malted nougat center without caramel.
Is Milky Way gluten-free?
No, Milky Way bars contain barley malt, which is a source of gluten, making them unsuitable for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.
How many calories are in a standard Milky Way bar?
A standard 52g Milky Way bar contains approximately 237 calories, with about 37g of carbohydrates and 9g of fat.