Is there such a thing as healthy fruit snacks?

[mommy2allyandaveri]

Does anyone know if these exist? It's all DD2 can talk about but I rarely give my kids snacks that are nothing but sugar. I would like to find some fruit snacks I can feel good about feeding her.

Suggestions?

 

[Nie0214]

I think the Welch's Fruit Snacks are "healthier" versions. I haven't had them in ages, but I remember them being Fat Free, less sugar, Vitamin C, etc. Maybe those fit the bill for you?

 

[snubie]

I don't know how healthy these are but we love them here.
http://www.stretchislandfruit.com/

 

[TheRatPack]

I just saw a coupon for a new fruit strip made by Sunsweet. Might be worth looking for when you're in the store? I know we eat a lot of dry fruit made by them. Here is the site for them: http://www.humzingers.com/

Oh and I just looked/searched online and found a site called EverydayFruit.....a bit expensive but maybe a store carries them somewhere? They sound yummy.

 

[tzolkin]

We make our own fruit leather. It's just fruit. I don't add anything to it. My little ones will eat fresh fruit, but my oldest won't so this is how I get fruit into her lunches. It takes no time to make it, but it takes a long time to dry. You can make a lot at once and it lasts forever.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

I would have to say that just about all of them have HFCS in them. I refuse to buy them. We buy Fruitabu ones. They come like fruit by the foot except they are actually fruit. No junk in them. They sell them at most food stores.

 

[J3nn78]

We banned fruit snacks. We replaced them with raisins and for an extra special treat, yogurt covered raisins. They never really missed them. I was shocked when I finally read the labels before banning them. Pure garbage, with "sugar-coating" it with vitamin C.

 

[squirrel]

Do you have Fruit To Go by Sun Rype in the US?

 

[mrs.beast]

clif kids organic twisted fruit just fruit puree and juice.
fruitabu-fruit puree, juice, vit c and some sort of soy

both no HFCS and good

 

[mlynn]

..
The dentist told me that fruit snacks and even raisins are really bad for the teeth.Because they are so sticky that the sugar just sits on the teeth. Since they came with fruit snack and roll ups they have ahd alot more kids w/cavities. But he said if I were to give them to them to make sure to brush there teeth as soon as they were done eating them.

 

[mjkacmom]

..
The dentist told me that fruit snacks and even raisins are really bad for the teeth.Because they are so sticky that the sugar just sits on the teeth. Since they came with fruit snack and roll ups they have ahd alot more kids w/cavities. But he said if I were to give them to them to make sure to brush there teeth as soon as they were done eating them.

I've known so many kids who get cavities, and their dentists warn them about not only fruit snacks, but dried fruit!

 

[mlynn]

I've known so many kids who get cavities, and their dentists warn them about not only fruit snacks, but dried fruit!

I had my dd4 (2years ago) at Childrens Hospital of Phila. Because she had some major issues with her teeth. (I think it ws from my fertilty drugs I had to take to have her) But her teeth rotted from the root up. So by the time I saw anything it was to late. She had alot removed. But coming up with a plan to save her adult teeth the dentist told me nothing sticky.If it is sticky on my teeth it is really bad for a childs teeth.(they don't brush as well as adults). He said Raisins are really bad. My kids never get any dried fruit or fruit snacks. The only time they get chewy candy is at a birthday party But as soon as we get home I brush there teeth for them and use the new act mouthwash for kids.
The dentist said it is a false sense hedalthy snack Fruit snacks give parents because they say fruit.

 

[Trixie15]

How do you make fruit leather?

 

[tinkerlisa]

I would have to say that just about all of them have HFCS in them. I refuse to buy them. We buy Fruitabu ones. They come like fruit by the foot except they are actually fruit. No junk in them. They sell them at most food stores.

We just discovered fruitabu here! my kids(and myself) love them!

 

[LoveTwoTravel]

We eat Brothers All Natural apples. We all love them. You can get them at Costco (and other places, just check their site). We order them directly from Brothers All Natural b/c we like the apples the best and the price point is better to order them that way.

As a perk they also have some w/Disney character on the package.

The fruit is 100% fruit. Nothing else. It travels well and lasts a long time (once opened they are best eaten right away).

We also eat raisins but only the organic ones.

 

[DRS_Are_Best]

Fruit.

You can buy packaged apple slices. No sugar or preservatives (other than Vitamin C to prevent spoilage and color change).

Applesauce is also a good choice -- just be sure to check the ingredients list. We typically use Motts Natural.

Then, of course, there's bananas, grapes, etc.

Almost all fruit snacks have some kind of sweetener -- even simple raisins. We just do everything we can to avoid any snacks (other than candy) that have HFCS. If they have sugar, it's a better alternative than that......

 

[rparmfamily]

From time to time I buy fruit leathers. http://www.stretchislandfruit.com/home.html

I also buy prepackaged sliced apples from Costco because they travel good and pack for lunches easy. And because I'm lazy.

I never buy fruit snacks though...they are junk for the most part.

 

[kstgelais4]

We just discovered fruitabu here! my kids(and myself) love them!

we are Fruitabu peeps here too!! We love the Squeeze tubes too in place of popsicles. We just freeze them instead!
Trader Joe's also has the fruit leather end pieces (like little bits) that are sold in a bag, and we like those a lot too.

 

[tzolkin]

How do you make fruit leather?

It's really easy.

If you're using apples, you cut them up and cook them in a pot (I usually leave the skins on). I also squirt a bit of lemon juice in with them. (Seasonings are optional depending on what you might add in: cinnamon, nutmeg, etc) I usually use apples as a base and then mix in other fruits: pears, strawberry, kiwi, etc. (If you were just doing berries or something, you don't have to cook them.) Then you just puree it in a blender or food processor until it's smooth (you can add a bit of water if needed).

I line cookie sheets with plastic wrap and then spread the fruit in a thin layer over all the sheet. I let mine dry in front of a coal/woodstove with the air blowing on them, but there are recipies to dry them in the oven on very low heat. They do take a long time to dry, but when they're dry I loosen them from the wrap (so they'll be easier to peel later), cut them, and roll them up. (You have to make sure they're completely dry. They'll be flexible, like a thicker fruit roll up, but can't have wet spots.)

They will keep for a long time at room temperature, but I usually put them in a big ziplock bag in the fridge. I just made a bunch a put the extra in the freezer.

 

[mommy2allyandaveri]

We do lots of fruit and she went through a raisin phase but I would like something that is quick, easy and not sticky (fruit leather).

I think we will try the Brothers All Naturals