One of the things that I love about visiting the National Women’s Show is learning about new products (and of course freebies :D). One of these freebies that I got a couple weeks ago was a 15-pack of Sun-Rype Fruit Source Bars. There was a choice of strawberry or wildberry “plus veggie” flavours, so I opted to try the one with the veggies. I didn’t recall tasting these particular bars before (I usually buy the smaller Fruit-To-Go snack bars), but I’m glad that I did, because they are super-tasty!
Made with 100% fruit and vegetables, these bars contain fibre, potassium, Vitamin A and 3 servings of fruit and veggies in each one. I could hardly taste the carrots that are part of the ingredients, so the bar has a nice, naturally sweet taste. No artificial colours either, and it’s only 130 calories with no fat–perfect for that mid-morning snack. Chewy (but not sticky), these Fruit Source bars should be a staple in your kitchen when you want a healthy snack alternative to the common chocolate bar or bag of chips.
These are really great. Though, I don’t quite get why they have 26g of sugar–about the same as a can of pop.
The reason for the high sugar content is because 26g is the natural sugar occurrence in fruits and vegetables. Ever wonder why strawberries are so sweet – guess you know now why.
And the sugar from fruit is not the same as the processed sugar you find in a soft drink.
haha hilarious that it says “naturally” occuring sugars made of 100% of fruit and veggies yet right away on the bar under ingredients you see apple powder. whats natually occuring about that?
OHHH AHA WOW Tienna I CANT BELIVE THEY DID THAT AHAHa WOWWW good call! YOUR HILARIOUS!!!
That wasn’t THAT funny. If you heat a steak, would you not consider it natural still? This is just the way the apple was prepared to go into the fruit bar – dried and apparently dusted. The same way a rock and sand are still the same thing, even though sand is broken down; apples and dusted apples may very well be the same thing. Even if it’s not, it’s still not that funny. It’s the last ingredient on the list and, therefore, the least apparent.
Even though it may not have added sugar, too much of any type of sugar, even if ‘natural’ is bad for you. It’s about moderation.
Part of the reason why fruit is good for you, is because of its water content. Something that these bars and other foods like it don’t have much of. You spread out the sugar content when its in its natural form and eat less of it. When you dehydrate and concentrate fruit, it also concentrates the sugar load.
Why not just eat a banana or apple for christ’s sake?
Anyone who thinks these things are good for you is deluding themselves.
The only thing they really have going for them is that they are a little LESS UNHEALTHY than say a Mars bar or something of that nature. If you’re eating these things thinking your doing your body a favour, you’re not. If you’re eating them instead of a chocolate bar or junk like that, I guess thats a step in the right direction.
These are no where near a replacement for real fruit and vegetables.
Thank you for your informative comment, Lola! Almost 5 years after this original post, I’ve personally made it a mission to include more REAL fruits and veggies into my diet. There are some people who don’t have the patience or shelf life to eat a banana or apple on a daily basis. Things like these fruit bars are an option for a midday snack, but shouldn’t be meant to replace the real thing.
Thank you for the information on these bars. In the afternoon while I’m working I get a sugar craving and would turn to a chocolate bar. These bars fill that sugar craving but I wasn’t sure if I was inadvertently eating an unhealthy snack. It’s good to know that while they aren’t the best choice as fruit in their natural form; they are still a healthier alternative to other snacks like chocolate bars or chips.
Obviously actual fruit is ideal for most circumstances. For a snack around the house I wouldn’t recommend anything like this, but they are perfect for long cycling rides where i can easily throw a couple in my back jersey pockets without stuffing my shirt with apples and bananas. You dont want to eat a banana that has been in your pocket for 3 hours,