Not all fruit snacks contain real fruit.
There are several different types of fruit snacks that appeal to various consumers, some of which contain real fruit and others that may have only fruit flavor and color. For example, children may be more interested in a sugary fruit snack like fruit leather, while health-conscious people would prefer fruit cups, dried fruit, fruit bars, and other healthier options. Sugar content, especially added sugar, is always considered with any type of fruit snack, but most types offer “no sugar added” versions.
Many freeze-dried fruit snacks contain only fruit.
Fruit skins are sugary fruit-flavored processed snacks that have been pressed into thin panels or strips, often with assorted and interesting shapes, colors, and flavors that appeal to children. Kids at school often bring fruit peels for lunch because they’re easy to pack up quickly for busy moms and don’t need to be stored in the refrigerator or heated before eating. However, as a healthy fruit snack, fruit skins fall short of other options.
Dried fruits, such as plums, are usually sweeter than fresh ones.
Dried fruit and fruit bars provide some people with the nice crunchy or chewy texture that can replace other unhealthy snack options like chips, and can be comparable to candy when it comes to taste. However, health-conscious people would be wise to avoid a dried fruit snack or fruit bar if it has a lot of added sugar, as this can sometimes make the snack as healthy or even less healthy than other snacks. Even without added sugar, a dried fruit snack or fruit bar may not have the same nutritional value as fresh fruit, although it is much more durable and easier to prepare and pack into a lunch.
Strawberries are a healthy snack.
Fruit cups are typically fruit servings individually sealed in water or sweet syrup that provide the taste and texture of real fruit while remaining portable. People who like to eat whole fruit but need a way to travel with their snack and avoid the bruising and mustiness that real fruit often suffers from often turn to fruit cups as a substitute. As with other types of fruit snacks, it’s best to look for fruit cups packed with water and no added sugar, as opposed to those packed with added syrup or sugary flavors. While fruit cups can be a healthy form of fruit snack, nutritionists almost always agree to eat whole fruits if possible to maximize nutritional content.