Different types of fruit snacks appeal to different consumers, with some containing real fruit and others only fruit flavoring. Sugar content is a consideration, but most types offer “no sugar added” versions. Fruit skins are sugary snacks popular with children, while health-conscious individuals may prefer fruit cups, dried fruit, or fruit bars. Nuts and fruit bars can be comparable to candy in flavor but may have added sugar. Fruit cups provide the flavor and texture of real fruit while remaining portable, but whole fruit is always the best option for maximum nutritional content.
There are different types of fruit snacks that appeal to various consumers, some of which contain real fruit and others that may only have fruit flavoring and coloring. For example, children may be more interested in a sugary fruit snack such as a fruit skin, while health-conscious individuals may prefer to stick with fruit cups, dried fruit, fruit bars and other healthier options. Sugar content, especially added sugar, is always a consideration for any type of snack, but most types offer “no sugar added” versions.
Fruit skins are processed, fruit-flavored sugary snacks that have been pressed into thin panels or strips, often with different shapes, colors and flavors that appeal to children. Kids at school often get fruit skins for lunch because they’re easy to pack quickly for busy mothers and don’t need to be refrigerated or reheated before eating. As a healthy snack to fruit, however, fruit skins have no other options.
Nuts and fruit bars provide some people with the pleasant crunchy or chewy texture that can replace other unhealthy snack options like potato chips and can be comparable to candy in flavor. Health-conscious individuals, however, would do well to avoid a nut snack or fruit bar if it has a lot of added sugar, as this can sometimes make the snack equally or even more unhealthy than other snacks. Even without added sugar, a nut snack or fruit bar probably doesn’t have the same nutritional value as fresh fruit, even though it’s much more durable and easier to prep and pack into a lunch.
Fruit cups are usually individually sealed portions of fruit in water or sweet syrup that provide the flavor and texture of real fruit while keeping it portable. People who enjoy eating whole fruit but need a way to travel with their snack and avoid the bruising and mushing that real fruit is often prone to often resort to fruit bowls as a substitute. As with other types of fruit snacks, you should ideally look for fruit cups that are packaged with water and no additional sugar as opposed to those packaged with added sugary syrup or flavorings. While fruit bowls can be a healthy form of snacking, nutritionists almost always agree that real whole fruit should be eaten if possible to maximize nutritional content.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN