Candies, MARS SNACKFOOD US, SKITTLES Tropical Bite Size Candies
Whole food · Sweets
Photo: Wikipedia
Skittles Tropical are bite-sized, fruit-flavored chewy candies with a hard, crunchy shell and a chewy interior. They deliver an intense burst of artificial tropical fruit flavors like mango, pineapple, and passion fruit. Nutritionally, they are almost pure sugar and carbohydrates, providing a quick energy spike with minimal protein or fat.
Calorie split: 0% protein · 90% carbs · 10% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love Skittles for their playful, chewy texture and the satisfying 'crunch' of the shell followed by a chewy center. The intense, sweet-and-sour tropical fruit flavors and the fun of mixing colors make them a popular, nostalgic candy for all ages.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The extremely high sugar content (75.76g per 100g) can lead to rapid blood-sugar spikes and crashes, making them a poor choice for those managing diabetes or seeking sustained energy. To mitigate this, consume only a small handful (about 15-20 pieces) and pair with a source of protein or healthy fat (like nuts or cheese) to slow sugar absorption.
Key benefits
- Quick source of energy from simple carbohydrates
- Fat-free and cholesterol-free
- Provides a fun, nostalgic treat in a portable format
- Offers a wide variety of vibrant fruit flavors
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The original Skittles slogan was 'Opal Fruits,' and they were made in the UK before being introduced to North America in 1979.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 3.8 g |
| Energy | 405 kcal |
| Energy | 1693 kj |
| Protein | 0.19 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 4.3 g |
| Ash | 0.97 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 90.8 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.00 g |
| Total Sugars | 75.8 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 0.00 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.00 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 15.0 mg |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 67.1 mg |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 0.00 iu |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total trans | 0.07 g |
| Cholesterol | 0.00 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
Are Skittles Tropical gluten-free?
While Skittles do not contain gluten ingredients, they are manufactured in facilities that may process wheat. Those with celiac disease should check the packaging for specific allergen warnings.
What gives Skittles their hard shell?
The crunchy shell is primarily made of sugar, corn syrup, and food starch, which is coated and polished to create the signature smooth, hard exterior.
Why are the colors so vibrant?
The bright colors come from a combination of artificial food dyes, such as Red 40, Yellow 6, and Blue 1, which are used to differentiate the fruit flavors.
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 4.05 kcal/g · 0% calories from protein · 0.0 g fiber · 75.8 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.