Candies, MARS SNACKFOOD US, MILKY WAY Bar
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.
Calorie split: 4% protein · 62% carbs · 34% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
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.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
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.
Key benefits
- Provides a quick source of energy from carbohydrates
- Offers a small amount of protein (4g per 100g)
- Contains calcium from milk chocolate and caramel
- Widely available and affordable treat
- Can provide a temporary mood boost or comfort food satisfaction
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
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.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| 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 |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 6.0 mg |
| Theobromine | 64.0 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| 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 |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
Estimated from Candies, honey-combed, with peanut butter — USDA does not publish this profile for Candies.
| Tryptophan | 0.09 g |
| Threonine | 0.21 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.24 g |
| Leucine | 0.61 g |
| Lysine | 0.27 g |
| Methionine | 0.10 g |
| Cystine | 0.09 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.47 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.33 g |
| Valine | 0.31 g |
| Arginine | 1.1 g |
| Histidine | 0.22 g |
| Alanine | 0.36 g |
| Aspartic acid | 1.2 g |
| Glutamic acid | 2.0 g |
| Glycine | 0.56 g |
| Proline | 0.55 g |
| Serine | 0.58 g |
FAQ
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.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 4.56 kcal/g · 4% calories from protein · 1.0 g fiber · 59.7 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 1.35 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.