Generally, my snacking indulgences lean more towards salty treats. I love cheddar popcorn, roasted nuts, and pretzels, but when my sweet tooth does start crying out for satisfaction, it’s nice to have some snacks up my sleeve.
I came across Sensible Foods one afternoon when I was looking for a new snack, something I hadn’t already seen before. Lucky for me, those bright little pouches were there to heed my call. They are pouches of dried fruit, which come in delicious combinations like Orchard Blend, Cherry Berry, Tropical Blend, and Apple Harvest. Among the varieties, the nutrition facts vary only slightly, and the serving size always consists of one 0.75-ounce bag (21 grams).
What do I like about this snack?
Cherry Berry is my favorite because in addition to the dried apples, which are somewhat common among dried fruits, it also contains cherries, blueberries, and strawberries – all of which are bright and delicious. The fruit and berries are light, crispy, and so bursting with flavor that it’s almost difficult to believe that all of that flavor came from those small fruits. They actually taste a little like Fruit Roll-Ups!
A friend once told me that cooking was about taking great ingredients, and then trying not to mess them up too much. I think this is a great way to look at cooking, but it’s especially true for healthy eating. Bob and David, the California founders of Sensible Food’s, seem to have based their snack on that idea. To dry their fruit, they use a trademarked process called Crunch Dried ® which, “removes water while marinating the product’s cell structure, nutritional value, and intensifying its natural flavor.” Each of their products is fat-free, gluten-free, and GMO free while also being 100% natural. The pouches are also equivalent to ½ cup of fresh fruit and have no added sugar or preservatives. What I love most about this snack is its ingredient list: Apples, Cherries, Blueberries, Strawberries, and NOTHING ELSE. They are also extremely convenient. They come in single-serving packets that are ready-to-go and great on their own, sprinkled over yogurt, or mixed in with cereal.
The Facts
- Calories – 84
- Dietary Fiber – 2 grams
- Sugars – 14 grams
- Protein – 2 grams
(Those numbers are for each single-serving package.) I consider 84 calories to be light for a snack, so I’m okay there. Also, fiber and protein are always invited to my parties, so again, not a problem. Also, there is no fat in this snack, and because it only contains fruit, there is no cholesterol either. Ah, but it seems our party-pooper, sugar, has tagged along for the ride – darn. But wait, this isn’t refined or added sugar that we have here; it’s just innocent natural sugar that showed up with our buddies, the fruit.
What do not I like about this snack?
I’m less opposed to consuming sugar when it’s a result of eating something healthy, which naturally has sugar in it, but 14 grams of sugar is still high for an 84-calorie snack. On the other hand, a medium size raw apple contains about 13 grams of sugar, and that would never stop me from eating apples. There is no recommended daily allowance for sugar, and we need some sugar to give us energy and to keep us happy! According to the website of diet expert, Anne Collins some studies have shown that diets that refrain completely from sugar are more difficult to stick to, and can trigger sugar cravings. So when all’s said and done, my position on sugar is to enjoy in moderation and to try to get my sweet fix from the sugars naturally present in fruit, making Sensible Food snacks a great option.
My Conclusion
This is a snack that will remain in my repertoire. It’s tasty and easy to eat. The sugar is something to be aware of, but it won’t deter me from enjoying a mid-day snack of Cherry Berry.
Check out SensibleFoods.com to find out more about their other fruit snack blends, which include some other delicious fruit like pineapples, peaches, mangos, and bananas. They also have two savory options: 100% Organic Supersweet Corn and Organic Crunch Dried ® Roasted Soy Nuts. I really love the corn, but the soy nuts don’t really do it for me. If you’re interested in going BIG, Sensible Food’s can be purchased by the case on their website, otherwise a local retailer would be the way to go. Enjoy, and let me know which is your favorite blend.
Wanna learn more about healthy snacks? Subscribe to The Healthy Snacks Blog updates for FREE, now!
3 responses so far ↓
1 Nutritional Snacks: 5 Bite size treats | Liz Harper Fitness // Apr 17, 2008 at 9:17 pm
[…] Snack Review: Sensible Foods Cherry Berry Crunch-Dried SnacksHealthy Snacks at SchoolNutritional Supplements and their BenefitsQuick Snacks — A tip from Dr. IanNutritional Facts of cereal & salmon Diet […]
2 Lauren // Apr 22, 2008 at 9:15 am
I hadn’t heard of these snacks–thanks for bringing them to my attention! These fruit combinations sound more fun and interesting than my usual raisins or dried cranberries. And great idea to put them with cereal. I usually put my own dried fruit or nuts in cereal (I buy plain wheat flakes and add my own fixings), because I find that if I buy cereal that already includes fruit (such as Special K Red Berries), the fruit is usually too sugary and fake. Sounds like these Sensible Foods would taste a lot better and add a nice crunch.
3 Sarah // May 2, 2008 at 3:32 pm
Hi Lauren,
Putting your own dried fruit or nuts in cereal is a great idea. Some days I find myself searching for the sweet fruit in my cereal, but others I’m not so into it, so buying them separately is a good solution. I like this snack because it is crunchy dried fruit, rather than chewy - it’s just nice for a change. Let me know what you think once you try some. Thanks for you comment!
Leave a Comment