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Dark Chocolate vs Vanilla Ice Cream: Calories Compared
Vanilla Ice Cream is lower in calories (180 vs 546 per 100g). Dark Chocolate has 4.9g protein per 100g versus 4.8g in Vanilla Ice Cream.
Per typical serving, Dark Chocolate provides 109 kcal (based on a 20g portion) versus Vanilla Ice Cream at 119 kcal (66g). The average adult needs around 2,000 calories per day, so dark chocolate contributes 5.5% and vanilla ice cream contributes 5.9% of that daily target per serving. Getting these numbers right for your own portions starts with a digital kitchen scale.
Full nutrition comparison (per 100g)
| Nutrient | Dark Chocolate | Vanilla Ice Cream |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 546 kcal | 180 kcal |
| Protein | 4.9g | 4.8g |
| Carbohydrates | 61.2g | 29.5g |
| of which Sugars | 47.9g | 22.1g |
| Fat | 31.3g | 4.8g |
| of which Saturates | 18.5g | 2.9g |
| Fibre | 7g | 0.3g |
| Sodium | 24mg | 74mg |
| Potassium | 559mg | 208mg |
| Calcium | 56mg | 161mg |
| Iron | 8mg | 0.2mg |
| Vitamin C | 0mg | 1.2mg |
| Vitamin A | 2µg | 128µg |
| Selenium | 3µg | 2µg |
| Riboflavin (B2) | 0.1mg | 0.3mg |
Nutrient-by-nutrient breakdown
- Calories: Dark Chocolate has more (546kcal vs 180kcal per 100g) — a difference of 366kcal. Vanilla Ice Cream is the lower-calories option if that is your priority.
- Protein: Dark Chocolate has more (4.9g vs 4.8g per 100g) — a difference of 0.1g. Dark Chocolate is the stronger source of protein here.
- Carbohydrates: Dark Chocolate has more (61.2g vs 29.5g per 100g) — a difference of 31.7g.
- Sugars: Dark Chocolate has more (47.9g vs 22.1g per 100g) — a difference of 25.8g. Vanilla Ice Cream is the lower-sugars option if that is your priority.
- Fat: Dark Chocolate has more (31.3g vs 4.8g per 100g) — a difference of 26.5g. Vanilla Ice Cream is the lower-fat option if that is your priority.
- Saturated fat: Dark Chocolate has more (18.5g vs 2.9g per 100g) — a difference of 15.6g. Vanilla Ice Cream is the lower-saturated fat option if that is your priority.
- Fibre: Dark Chocolate has more (7g vs 0.3g per 100g) — a difference of 6.7g. Dark Chocolate is the stronger source of fibre here.
- Sodium: Vanilla Ice Cream has more (74mg vs 24mg per 100g) — a difference of 50mg. Dark Chocolate is the lower-sodium option if that is your priority.
- Potassium: Dark Chocolate has more (559mg vs 208mg per 100g) — a difference of 351mg. Dark Chocolate is the stronger source of potassium here.
- Calcium: Vanilla Ice Cream has more (161mg vs 56mg per 100g) — a difference of 105mg. Vanilla Ice Cream is the stronger source of calcium here.
- Iron: Dark Chocolate has more (8mg vs 0mg per 100g) — a difference of 8mg. Dark Chocolate is the stronger source of iron here.
- Vitamin c: Vanilla Ice Cream has more (1mg vs 0mg per 100g) — a difference of 1mg. Vanilla Ice Cream is the stronger source of vitamin C here.
- Vitamin a: Vanilla Ice Cream has more (128µg vs 2µg per 100g) — a difference of 126µg. Vanilla Ice Cream is the stronger source of vitamin A here.
- Selenium: Dark Chocolate has more (3µg vs 2µg per 100g) — a difference of 1µg. Dark Chocolate is the stronger source of selenium here.
- Riboflavin (b2): Vanilla Ice Cream has more (0mg vs 0mg per 100g) — a difference of 0mg. Vanilla Ice Cream is the stronger source of riboflavin (B2) here.
Live serving-size calculator
Enter any amount for each food — every figure below recalculates instantly, with % of daily value shown for each nutrient (based on a standard 2,000-calorie reference diet).
| Nutrient | Dark Chocolate | % DV | Vanilla Ice Cream | % DV |
|---|
* % Daily Value based on a 2,000-calorie reference diet, the same basis used on nutrition labels in the US and UK. Figures update live as you change the amounts above — no page reload.
Substituting one for the other
When swapping snacks, portion size matters more than the food itself — check the serving size on packaging rather than assuming a like-for-like swap.
Useful for comparing these foods
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Which should you choose?
If your priority is fewer calories, Vanilla Ice Cream is the lower-calorie option at 180 kcal per 100g. If you need more protein, Dark Chocolate provides more at 4.9g per 100g. For lower carbohydrates, Vanilla Ice Cream has fewer carbs at 29.5g per 100g.
Both dark chocolate and vanilla ice cream can form part of a healthy, balanced diet. The best choice depends on your individual goals — whether that is weight management, muscle building, or simply hitting your daily nutritional targets. A meal prep container set makes it easy to portion whichever you choose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has more calories, Dark Chocolate or Vanilla Ice Cream?
Dark Chocolate has 546 calories per 100g while Vanilla Ice Cream has 180 calories per 100g. Dark Chocolate is higher in calories by 366 kcal per 100g.
Which has more protein, Dark Chocolate or Vanilla Ice Cream?
Dark Chocolate contains 4.9g of protein per 100g. Vanilla Ice Cream contains 4.8g of protein per 100g. Dark Chocolate has more protein.
Is Dark Chocolate healthier than Vanilla Ice Cream?
Dark Chocolate has 546 kcal, 4.9g protein, 61.2g carbs and 31.3g fat per 100g. Vanilla Ice Cream has 180 kcal, 4.8g protein, 29.5g carbs and 4.8g fat per 100g. Which is healthier depends on your goals — higher protein, lower calorie and lower fat foods are generally preferred for weight management.
Which has more fibre, Dark Chocolate or Vanilla Ice Cream?
Dark Chocolate contains 7g of fibre per 100g, and Vanilla Ice Cream contains 0.3g per 100g. Dark Chocolate has more fibre. Fibre supports digestion and helps with feeling fuller for longer.
How many calories per serving — Dark Chocolate vs Vanilla Ice Cream?
A typical 2 squares of dark chocolate (20g) is around 109 calories. A typical 1 scoop of vanilla ice cream (66g) is around 119 calories — a difference of 10 kcal per serving in favour of dark chocolate.
Can I substitute Dark Chocolate for Vanilla Ice Cream in recipes?
When swapping snacks, portion size matters more than the food itself — check the serving size on packaging rather than assuming a like-for-like swap.
Track both accurately
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Figures per 100g from the USDA FoodData Central database (CC0 1.0).