These foods are marketed as being healthier than their regular
counterparts, but how do they taste?
With the health risks of obesity repeatedly making national headlines, everyone seems to be focused on their weight. To cater to this growing demand for healthier foods, more and more food companies are producing low-fat alternatives and flooding the market with advertisements touting their great-tasting, health-conscious products. But we had to ask: How good do these healthy alternatives actually taste? So, we went shopping, bought several “healthy” snacks we’d seen advertised and had South Valley Newspapers staff members put them to the test.
Special K Bar,
Vanilla Crisp flavor
1 bar
90 calories
1.5 grams of fat
7 grams of sugar
Most people gave this breakfast snack bar a thumbs down for being far too sweet. No one said they’d eat the bar for breakfast, but some said they may consider it for an afternoon snack if they craved something sugary.
People with a sweet tooth may enjoy this snack, especially as an alternative to other candies or sweets that may have much higher sugar and fat contents.
Final result: We’d avoid.
Reduced Fat Wheat Thins
16 crackers
130 calories
4 grams of fat
3 grams of sugar
Almost all the salty snack-lovers in the office agreed this snack tasted just as good as the original. Many people liked these even better than the original Wheat Thins because they didn’t leave the slightly greasy film on their fingers. Other grease-lovers said they preferred the original Wheat Thins despite the 30 percent increase in fat, but they went back for second helpings of these crackers anyway.
Final result: We’d recommend!
100-Calorie Pack Oreo Thin Crisps
1 package
100 calories
2 grams of fat
9 grams of sugar
The overwhelming consensus is that these little, geometrically shaped crisps taste nothing like real Oreo cookies, but they’re still tasty. One person compared them to a chocolate-flavored graham cracker. Most people also agreed it was really satisfying to eat an entire package of something and not feel guilty. Throw in a glass of milk, and you’ve got a treat.
Final result: We’d recommend!
Fat-Free Fig Newtons
2 cookies
90 calories
0 grams of fat
12 grams of sugar
With the exception of people who don’t like figs, everyone liked these healthy alternatives to regular Fig Newtons. The cake part of the cookie has a slightly different texture but all the great taste of the regular cookie. The high sugar content was the only thing our taste-testers were concerned about. However, they finished the entire package of cookies.
Final result: We’d recommend!
Pringles Fat-Free, original flavor
15 chips
70 calories
0 grams of fat
1 gram of sugar
Everyone could tell these weren’t regular Pringles as they munched on them, but people still thought they had great flavor. What turned everyone off from these chips was the fact they are made with olestra, an artificial fat substitute containing zero calories or fat. Some studies have shown olestra can cause cramps, diarrhea and interfere with a body’s capacity to absorb certain vitamins, according to the Federal Drug Administration. So, despite the great flavor, most people avoided this can of savory goodness.
Final result: We’d avoid.
SnackWell’s
Fat-Free Devil’s Food
1 cookie
50 calories
0 grams of fat
7 grams of sugar
Though some people felt 50 calories was too much for just one cookie, these cookies were hot items in the office. The cookies are chocolatey without being overwhelmingly sweet. Some staff members didn’t like the spongy consistency of the inside of the cookie, but most people still gave these fat-free delights a thumbs up.
Final result: We’d recommend!
