My friend’s little girl offered me a fruit roll-up when our families went camping last weekend. It has been over a decade since I had a fruit roll-up, but I have fond memories of my younger brother and I taking turns whining at the grocery store until our mother tossed a box into the cart. Behind her back, barely able to conceal our grins, we winked at each other.
I did not care about the nutrition of my snacks when I was a little girl. But last week I felt compel to look at the nutrition labeling on the fruit roll-up box.
50 calories and all corn syrup! In terms of snacks, it is not calorie laden, but certainly has no real nutritional value.
A good alternative to fruit roll-up is fruit leather. I really like the Stretch Island Co.’s fruit leathers found at my local Trader Joe’s. In terms of calories, fruit leather has about the same calories as a fruit-up. But it is the ingredients list that differentiate the two snacks.
For example, my favorite flavor is Strawberry Summer. The ingredients list include: apple puree concentrate, pear puree concentrate, strawberry puree, organic natural strawberry flavor, and lemon juice concentrate.
Notice anything unusual about the ingredients list? Like the fact that there are no sugar?
But I usually end up eating at least two or three. Fruit leathers taste like candy to me. The portion is tiny at half an ounce. And they are certainly pricier than fruit-ups. Ever notice how the healthier option inevitably are the pricier option? If only someone is willing to give me a year supply of fruit leathers. Now that would be nice.
Until next time and thanks for stopping by Small Steps to Health.
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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
That would be nice if someone would give you a year’s supply! I used to buy my kids the fruit roll ups until I started on my own journey to lose weight. Then, I looked at the ingredients and thought “I don’t think so!”
It’s been so many years now I forgot about fruit roll-ups. I’ve never heard of fruit leather, I wonder if they sell them in my area?
I figured if I hinted loud enough on my blog, maybe some company would be so kind to give me a year supple. Kind of like Jared, the Subway guy. But then, I would need to loose a ton of weight and claim that it is all due to fruit leathers. LOL!
Usually the fruit leathers are in the health food aisle.
Whole PaycheckWhole Foods or Trader Joe’s should have them. I also brought them from Bel Air before. But I have no idea if these grocery stores are just west coast chains.First of all, I love the new look.
I’ve never heard of fruit leathers before. The name sounds kinda gross, but from what you describe they sound like they taste good. It doesn’t surprise me that they are expensive…they probably qualify as real food unlike those sugar rollups…lol!
They definitely have Trader Joes on the East coast. I always stock up on their ’2 buck chuck’ wines when I am near a store. I’m sure you can check their website for locations.
.-= RickyRae´s last blog ..Prize 4 Life =-.
RickRae – I get bored with the way my blog looks way too often. I really should spend the time writing instead. Oh well. Thanks for verifying that Trader Joe’s is also on the other coast. I keep hearing about the 2 buck chucks, but not being a wine drinker, I can find the right “reason” to buy a bottle of wine for the house.