How many calories are in a single locket? The zero-calorie truth about jewelry vs. cough drops

October 14, 2025 •

4 min read

By definition, a locket, a piece of ornamental jewelry, contains zero calories and is not safe for consumption. However, this dietary query almost always stems from a mix-up with 'Lockets,' the popular brand of cough sweets, which do have a clear nutritional profile. So, how many calories are in a single locket... cough drop?

Quick Summary

This article explains the critical distinction between a jewelry locket, which is inedible, and Lockets brand medicated lozenges. It provides specific calorie counts and nutritional information for the edible Lockets sweets, addressing the user's likely intended query with factual data. It also covers the ingredients and compares their nutritional content to other similar candies.

Key Points

Locket vs. Lockets: A locket (jewelry) is inedible and contains zero calories, whereas Lockets are medicated cough sweets that are safe to consume in moderation.
Locket Lozenge Calories: A single Lockets brand lozenge contains around 15 calories, primarily from glucose syrup and sugar.
Sugar Content: Each Lockets lozenge contains approximately 4.1 grams of sugar, which should be considered by those watching their sugar intake.
Primary Purpose: Lockets are designed to soothe sore throats and clear nasal congestion with menthol and eucalyptus, not to serve as a daily confectionery.
Healthier Alternatives: When managing a sore throat, options like herbal tea with honey, salt water gargles, and humidifiers offer therapeutic benefits with lower or zero sugar.

What is a locket and can you eat it?

First, let's address the most common point of confusion directly. A locket is a type of pendant, usually made of metal like gold, silver, or platinum, that opens to reveal a small compartment for a keepsake, such as a photograph or lock of hair. As a non-edible piece of jewelry, it has absolutely no nutritional value and should never be consumed. Attempting to do so could lead to serious health risks, including choking and internal injury. Edible gold leaf exists, but it also carries zero nutritional value and is not part of a locket. The confusion arises because "Lockets" is the name of a specific brand of cough and sore throat sweets, not because jewelry is meant for snacking.

The nutritional lowdown on Lockets lozenges

Lockets are a brand of medicated throat sweets produced by the Wrigley Company, formulated to help with nasal congestion and sore throats. While the exact calorie count can vary slightly depending on the specific flavor and size, nutritional information is consistently available from retailers and the manufacturer.

For example, based on the nutritional information for Honey & Lemon Lockets:

Energy: 15 calories per lozenge
Total Sugars: Approximately 4.1 grams per lozenge
Carbohydrates: Approximately 3.9 grams per lozenge

These lozenges are essentially hard candies with added ingredients like menthol, eucalyptus, honey, and vitamin C. As with any sugary confectionery, they should be consumed in moderation, especially if you are managing your sugar intake. The vitamin C content, while present, does not make these a replacement for proper nutrition.

Lockets vs. other candy: A nutritional comparison

Understanding how Lockets compare to other hard candies or lozenges can help put their calorie count into perspective. While not a health food, they are also not a high-calorie indulgence. The calories primarily come from the sugar and glucose syrup used to make the hard candy shell and the liquid center.


Feature	Lockets Honey & Lemon Lozenge	Generic Hard Candy (e.g., Butterscotch)
Calories per piece	~15 kcal	~20-25 kcal
Sugar per piece	~4.1g	~4-6g
Key Ingredients	Glucose Syrup, Sugar, Honey, Menthol, Vitamin C	Sugar, Glucose Syrup, Flavorings
Primary Purpose	Soothe sore throat/clear congestion	Confectionery treat
Added Benefits	Vitamin C, Menthol/Eucalyptol	None

The role of sugar in Lockets

As the nutritional table shows, Lockets are high in sugar, a fact to be aware of if you are diabetic or sensitive to sugar. For most people, consuming a few lozenges when ill is not a cause for concern, but it should not be part of a daily diet plan due to the high sugar content. The presence of honey and other flavorings contributes to the sugar profile, providing that soothing taste but also adding to the overall calorie and sugar load.

Ingredients for more than just flavor

Menthol and Eucalyptol: These ingredients provide the signature 'clearing' sensation and help with blocked noses. They are the active, medicated components that differentiate Lockets from regular hard candy.
Honey: Used for its naturally soothing properties, particularly for sore throats, and for flavor.
Vitamin C: Included as a supplement, which some believe helps reduce the duration of a cold.

How to make a healthier choice for a sore throat

When dealing with a sore throat or cold, there are several nutritional and dietary approaches that can be more beneficial than relying solely on sugar-based lozenges. These strategies can provide relief without the added sugar and calories.

Here are some better options to consider:

Herbal Teas: Hot tea with honey and lemon is a classic remedy for a reason. Herbal options like chamomile or ginger can be particularly soothing.
Saltwater Gargle: A simple and effective solution for temporarily soothing a sore throat.
Warm Broth: Nutrient-rich broths can provide hydration and comfort without the high sugar content of lozenges.
Humidifier: Keeping the air moist, especially in dry environments, can help soothe throat irritation.
Sugar-Free Lozenges: For those who need a lozenge-like product but want to avoid sugar, many sugar-free options are available that use alternative sweeteners.

Conclusion

While a true locket (jewelry) has no calories and should not be eaten, a single Lockets brand lozenge contains approximately 15 calories, derived from sugar and glucose syrup. The key takeaway is to recognize the difference between the two and understand the nutritional impact of the edible version. When reaching for a cough sweet, be mindful of its sugar content, especially if you are monitoring your overall sugar intake for health reasons. For soothing a sore throat, there are many lower-sugar, more nourishing alternatives available that support your recovery just as effectively. Always check the label of any food product to be certain of its nutritional facts and suitability for your dietary needs. For general nutrition information and dietary recommendations, reliable sources like the USDA are great resources.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, a locket made of metal is a piece of jewelry and is not safe for consumption. It contains zero calories and could cause serious internal harm if ingested.

A single Lockets Honey & Lemon lozenge contains approximately 15 calories.

Each Lockets lozenge contains about 4.1g of sugar, which contributes to the total calorie count and should be noted by those monitoring their sugar consumption.

A lozenge is typically a medicated hard candy intended to soothe a sore throat or cough with ingredients like menthol. A standard hard candy is primarily for flavor and confectionery enjoyment.

Due to the sugar content, people with diabetes or sugar intolerance should avoid Lockets. Sugar-free lozenge alternatives are available.

The calories from Lockets come from sugar, which is fine in moderation. However, excessive consumption can contribute to a high-sugar diet, so they should be used only as needed for cold symptoms.

Key ingredients include glucose syrup, sugar, honey, menthol, eucalyptol, and vitamin C, all of which contribute to its soothing and clearing effects.