Candy, nougat with nuts
Common food
Photo: Wikipedia
Nougat with nuts is a chewy, aerated confection made from whipped egg whites, sugar, and honey, studded with crunchy roasted nuts like almonds or pistachios. Its texture is a delightful contrast of soft, pillowy sweetness and satisfying nutty crunch. Nutritionally, it is a high-energy treat, delivering a significant 444 kcal per 100g, with the majority of its calories coming from carbohydrates (72.64g), particularly sugar (42.64g).
Calorie split: 8% protein · 65% carbs · 27% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love nougat for its classic, indulgent combination of sweet, chewy texture and the rich, toasty flavor of nuts. It is a beloved treat in many cultures, often associated with holidays and celebrations, and is enjoyed as a standalone candy or as a component in other desserts.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The high sugar content (42.64g per 100g) can cause rapid blood-sugar spikes, making it unsuitable for those managing diabetes or insulin resistance. It is also a common allergen due to nuts (tree nuts like almonds, pistachios) and egg whites. To mitigate, practice strict portion control (e.g., a small 30g piece), and pair it with a source of protein or fat (like a handful of nuts or a piece of cheese) to slow sugar absorption.
Key benefits
- Provides a quick source of energy due to its high carbohydrate content.
- Contains protein from both the egg whites and the nuts (8.38g per 100g).
- Offers dietary fiber (3.6g per 100g) from the included nuts.
- Nuts contribute healthy fats and micronutrients like vitamin E and magnesium.
🍽️ Popular dishes
Turrón (Spanish nougat, especially from Jijona or Alicante)
Halva (Middle Eastern and Mediterranean confection, though some versions are nut-based pastes)
Nougat glacé (French frozen dessert)
Mozartkugeln (Austrian chocolate confection with nougat filling)
Torrone (Italian nougat, similar to turrón)
Nougatine (French caramelized nut brittle, sometimes with nougat elements)🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The word 'nougat' comes from the Occitan word 'nogat,' meaning 'nut cake,' and its origins trace back to ancient Persia, where a similar confection was made with almonds and honey.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 4.6 g |
| Energy | 444 kcal |
| Protein | 8.4 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 13.3 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 72.6 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 3.6 g |
| Total Sugars | 42.6 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 63.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 1.3 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 61.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 126 mg |
| Potassium, K | 415 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 132 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 1.0 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.23 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 3.8 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.20 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.05 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.13 mg |
| Niacin | 3.8 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.13 mg |
| Folate, total | 28.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 28.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 28.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 20.4 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.02 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 0.00 ug |
| Retinol | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 2.6 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 0.00 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 3.2 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 1.9 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.53 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 6.2 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.01 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 6.1 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.15 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.01 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 2.3 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 2.3 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 0.00 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
Estimated from Oil, industrial, coconut, principal uses candy coatings, oil sprays, roasting nuts — USDA does not publish this profile for Candy.
| Tryptophan | 0.00 g |
| Threonine | 0.00 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.00 g |
| Leucine | 0.00 g |
| Lysine | 0.00 g |
| Methionine | 0.00 g |
| Cystine | 0.00 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.00 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.00 g |
| Valine | 0.00 g |
| Arginine | 0.00 g |
| Histidine | 0.00 g |
| Alanine | 0.00 g |
| Aspartic acid | 0.00 g |
| Glutamic acid | 0.00 g |
| Glycine | 0.00 g |
| Proline | 0.00 g |
| Serine | 0.00 g |
FAQ
Is nougat gluten-free?
Traditional nougat is gluten-free, as it is made from egg whites, sugar, honey, and nuts. However, always check labels for cross-contamination or added ingredients like wheat-based binders.
How should nougat be stored?
Store nougat in an airtight container at room temperature, away from humidity and direct sunlight. It can become sticky or dry out if exposed to moisture or extreme temperatures.
Can nougat be made with different nuts?
Yes, nougat can be made with various nuts such as almonds, pistachios, hazelnuts, or walnuts, depending on regional preferences and flavor profiles.
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 4.44 kcal/g · 8% calories from protein · 3.6 g fiber · 42.6 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: 0.32 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.