Are Fruit Snacks Bad For You?
Short answer
Most popular fruit snacks are loaded with corn syrup, sugar, modified corn starch and toxic food dyes. Fruit snacks may contain some vitamins but eating a fresh piece of fruit from the produce section is a much better choice.
Recommended Alternative
Harmful to your health. Very few, if any, benefits are present. Things in this category should be avoided as much as possible.
View Full Grading System
Category 'A'
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Side effects are rare. Things rated an 'A+' are typically necessary for survival (for example, water).
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. A few harmful qualities may be associated, but only under certain circumstances such as an allergic reaction.
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Harmful qualities may be associated, but aren't usually serious.
It is important to note that even the best things in life can become bad in immoderate amounts. So, although something may be rated an 'A+', overconsumption/overdoing can bring unwanted effects.
Category 'B'
Very beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B+' may have a few harmful qualities to pay attention to.
Overall beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B' may have some harmful qualities to pay attention to.
More beneficial to your health than not. However, harmful qualities are most likely associated and shouldn't be overlooked.
The main difference between category 'A' and category 'B' is the harmful qualities typically present in 'B' items. Serious side effects are usually uncommon, but are still possible and should be taken note of.
Category 'C'
Both beneficial and harmful qualities associated. Things rated a 'C+' are typically a bit more on the beneficial side. Still, moderation is important.
A fairly even ratio of beneficial and harmful qualities. Moderation is important. Very general topics that can lean towards both sides of the spectrum will be placed here as well. Rice, for example, can be good or bad depending on the type.
More harmful than beneficial. Side effects are common, especially when consumed/done excessively. Moderation is very important.
Category 'C' usually denotes to both good and bad qualities. When it comes to this category, it is important to keep this word in mind: moderation.
Category 'D'
Harmful to your health. Although benefits may be associated, the bad most likely outweighs the good. Moderation is very important.
Harmful to your health. A few benefits may be associated, but the bad outweighs the good. Moderation is extremely important.
Harmful to your health. Very few, if any, benefits are present. Things in this category should be avoided as much as possible.
Category 'D' is typically for things that are more harmful than beneficial. While consuming/doing something unhealthy once in a blue moon shouldn't hurt, we definitely recommend eliminating 'D' items as a regular part of your routine/diet.
Category 'F'
Category 'F' is for things that fail to bring anything beneficial to the table, and are very harmful to your health. We recommend completely avoiding anything in this category. Long-term side effects of 'F' items are usually very serious.
Category 'N'
'N' stands for neutral. Things placed into this category are generally (a) neither good nor bad for you, or (b) lack the necessary evidence to reach any conclusions.
Long answer
Fruit snacks come in many varieties but most are loaded with added sugar, corn syrup and modified corn starch. These snacks can elevate your glucose level and diabetics need to steer clear of them. Added sugar, corn starch and corn syrup are problematic because they provide excess calories without providing any nutritional value. These empty calories can make you gain weight and can predispose to metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome is directly linked to intra-abdominal fat that can lead to type 2 diabetes, elevated blood lipids, high blood pressure and increased risk of cardiovascular events. Before you purchase fruit snacks check the label for sugar content. The American Heart Association has recommended that women try to limit their added sugar intake to 24 grams daily and men 36 grams daily. Some of these fruit snack have sugar levels close to 20 grams per recommended serving.
Many of the fruit snacks contain gelatin which is used as a thickener and emulsifier. This animal protein comes from pigs and cattle so this ingredient is not vegetarian. Also look out for fruit snacks that contain artificial flavors. These are not derived from a natural source and are made from various chemical compounds to mimic food flavors.
Another concern is that most fruit snacks use man made food dyes such as Red 40 and Yellow 5. Red 40 is the most widely used dye and is linked with allergic reactions and can trigger hyperactive behavior in children. Yellow 5 is also linked with allergic reactions and can trigger hyperactivity in children. Yellow 5, Yellow 6 and Red 40 contain benzidine and 4-aminobiphenyl that research has linked with cancer. Avoiding these food dyes is a wise choice.
Some fruit snacks may have some nutritional value if they are actually made from real fruit. But as you research the label on the back-no one needs those added sugars and toxic food dyes. Stick with the produce section when you are craving a real fruit snack that has true nutritional value.
Possible short-term side effects
- allergic reaction
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hyperactive behavior
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elevated glucose
Possible long-term side effects
- weight gain
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type 2 diabetes
-
metablic syndrome
Ingredients to be aware of
- artificial flavors
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added sugars, corn syrup, corn starch
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man made food dyes
-
gelatin-animal protein
Benefits
- may have some vitamin value
Healthier alternatives
Our Wellness Pick
(what is this?)
Organic Gummy Bears
- USDA Organic Certified
- Portable 0.8oz Pouches
- Bulk Pack - 65 Count
- Natural Flavors
- Gluten-Free Treat
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