Are Fruit Snacks Healthy? (12+ Actually Wholesome Options)

Today there is an abundance of 'healthy' snacks made from fruit. These fruity bars, bites, and balls are all labeled as 'good for us', but what exactly are fruit snacks? And are they healthy for us or just healthwashing us?

While fruit snacks contain “fruit” in their name, it is hard to consider such products as healthy snack options for several reasons.

In this article, we will take a closer look at how healthy snack fruits are, why they aren’t a great snack option, and whether there are more natural fruit snack alternatives.

Contrary to a common belief, most fruit snacks aren’t healthy.

In the past, there were cases in which manufacturers of fruit snacks faced lawsuits over their marketing claims that their product is “healthy” when it is mainly made of simple sugars.

They are not only loaded with sugar but also with various sugary syrups, modified corn starch, artificial flavoring, gelatin, and toxic food dyes.

While they may contain some added vitamins, that doesn’t mean they are healthy for you.

Additionally, if your goal is to lose weight, then it’s better to avoid the most popular fruit snack brands.

With that said, various companies are making healthier versions of fruit snacks that don’t contain refined sugars or syrups and have simple and pure ingredients.

Those fruit snacks have a better nutritional value because they are made from natural fruit.

We will take a closer look at healthier fruit snacks below, but first, let’s look at their benefits.

If you consume healthy fruit snacks that are free of sugars, syrups, artificial flavorings, and dyes, they can be beneficial for you!

Choosing healthy fruit snacks is excellent because:

● They are made with whole, natural fruit
● It is a convenient on-the-go healthy snack

● They are jam-packed with vitamins, minerals, and fiber

● They are an excellent snack for kids

● They are great for weight loss

With their organic dried apples as a main ingredient, each strip equals 1/3 cup of fruit and 0g of added sugar,365 Variety Fruit Strips are a fantastic fruit snack option.

The flavors are naturally created with fruit powders or purees. You can enjoy their three flavors: Blueberry, Strawberry & Raspberry.

It isn’t as highly processed and overly sweet fruit roll as other popular options on the market,making it a much more wholesome and healthy alternative.

Pure Organic Fruit Bars are made with no cane sugar or syrup but with real fruit purees and juices. They never add artificial flavors or colors, making it a fantastic healthy fruit snack. 

Pure Organic is GMO-free certified, organic, gluten-free, and delicious treat for both adults andkids.

Bare Baked uses natural fruit to make delicious crunchy chips.

Their range includes:

●Apple Chips - Apple, or Apple & Cinnamon flavor

●Coconut Chips - Coconut, Coconut & Pineapple, Coconut & Chocolate

●Banana Chips - Banana & Cinnamon, or Banana & Strawberry flavor

Bare Baked Chips has various unique flavors, and each of them has just between 1-3 simple ingredients.

The baked, gluten-free treat contains a good amount of dietary fiber, zero added sugars, and zero preservatives. Additionally, all Bare Baked snacks are non-GMO certified.

You can enjoy this snack straight out of the bag or add it as a topping in salads, oatmeals, etc.

Bear Fruit Rolls are made with whole natural fruit and absolutely nothing else. Additionally, it's 100% free from concentrates added sugar, preservatives, stabilizers, and gumming agents.

It is a loved fruit snack by kids, and because it is gently baked on low heat, it preserves its vitamins and minerals.

They have several great flavors, all of which are made of a delicious mix of various fruits.

While it is ideal for kids, most adults enjoy it, too!

Bob Snail is another healthy sweet chewy natural fruit snack. It is low in carbs, and it is also certified GMO & soy-free, and pesticide-free, making it an ideal, safe choice for kids.

You can choose between their two packs:

● Mango Mix - Contains 30 pieces of the following flavors: Raspberry, Mango, Pear

● Pineapple Mix - Contains 30 pieces of the following flavors: Pear Pineapple, CherryApple, Persimmon

It is satisfying and great for sweet cravings and hungry kiddos.

Barnana upcycles bananas and plantains that would otherwise have gone to waste and creates delicious, healthy snacks with a wide range of chewy flavors, including:

● Dark Chocolate
● Peanut Butter

● Coconut

 Mango Goldenberry

● Tropical

● Original

Prepared with the finest simple ingredients, this wholesome snack is certified organic, Non-GMO verified, and gluten-, grain- and dairy-free.

Sprout creates unique chewy fruit snacks with no artificial ingredients or flavors.

The snack contains whole grain rice blended with veggies and fruits to create this pure chewy fruit snack.

A pack contains a whole serving of REAL fruits & veggies! It is loved and approved by kids and toddlers (but also adults).

Suncore Fruit Chips are a range of delicious healthy snacks you can enjoy as a topping to your favorite oatmeal, yogurt, baked goods, or on its own!

You can choose between:

● Red Pitaya Dragon Fruit Chips

● White Pitaya Dragon Fruit Chips

● Spicy Chili Coconut Chips

● Jackfruit Chips

● Longan Puffs Stuffed with Durian

The ingredients are always super simple, pure, non-GMO, and gluten-free. Any options are ideal healthy fruit snacks for weight loss, as they are light, low calorie, and minimally processed!

That’s it. Mini Fruit Bars are amazing plant-based and clean snacks high in fiber and ideal for weight loss.

It contains only two ingredients (fruits) and has no added sugars, preservatives, or artificial ingredients.

A portion has only 60 calories, and because of the various delicious flavors, you will hardly get bored by the bars!

Stretch Island Fruit Leather is another excellent fruit snack option for weight loss. A strip equals1/4 cup of natural fruit, and it is made with five simple ingredients:

● Apple puree

● Pear puree

● Seedless strawberry puree

● Natural strawberry flavor

● Lemon Juice

Not a strawberry fan? You can try their other flavors, including the following fruits: Apricot, Orchard Cherry, or RipendRaspberry!

Last on the list is thisDried Fruit Snack by Nutruit. They have a wide range of various dried fruits and veggies, including:

● Strawberry

● Celery

● Carrot

● Berry Mix

● Fruit Strips

● Fig Balls

● Date Balls

● Trail MixNutruit goods are full of fibers, delicious, and very low in calories, making them the ideal weight-loss snack.

Dried fruit can be a healthy, highly nutritious snack. They are often packed with more fiber, vitamins, and minerals than fresh fruit.

However, they are also higher in calories, so it is best to consume them in moderation, especially for people trying to lose weight.

Many believe that Welch’s fruit snacks are a healthy option. However, even though it contains added vitamins, such as vitamin C, vitamin A, and vitamin E, they also contain corn syrup, sugar, modified corn starch, and gelatin.

When it comes to fruit snacks, there are MUCH better and healthier options than Welch.

Mott’s Fruit Snack contains corn syrup, sugar, modified corn starch, andother (unnecessary)ingredients.

If you are looking at your weight or want to eat cleaner, it is best to avoid them.

Annies Fruit Snacks contain a long list of ingredients, additionally added sugars. As a result, the fruit content in their snacks is much less than this article's recommended fruit snacks.

Similar to Mott’s fruit snack, if your goal is to have a healthier diet, there are much better options for wholesome fruit snacks.

Fruit snacks can be a healthy option for both kids and adults. So even if someone is looking to lose weight, they can still be a nutritious snack people can enjoy.

As long as you pick a fruit snack with pure, natural ingredients and no added sugars, syrups, artificial color, and preservatives, you should be on the safe side.

Did we miss a healthy fruit snack you would love to see on the list?

Let us know in the comments below.

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