A Better-for-You Candy? Sweet!

A Better-for-You Candy? Sweet!

To snack or not to snack? That is the question.

Or is it?

What if satisfying your sweet tooth wasn't a 'yes' or 'no' proposition? What if you didn't have to choose between a guilty pleasure and ... well ... just pleasure? And what if you could tap into the benefits of vitamin C, fiber, and antioxidants found in superfoods like blueberries, cranberries, cherries, and apples during your next snack sesh?

Good news! The healthy-vs-tasty snacking question doesn't have to be a yes or no proposition. Sometimes you just need to look beyond the eye-catching graphics and claims on the packaging of your favorite brands and dig a bit deeper:

• What is the main ingredient? Sugar? High-fructose corn syrup?
• Does it contain artificial flavors, colors, and artificial preservatives?
• Are some of the ingredients genetically modified (GMO)? 
• Do they incorporate gelatins or waxes?
• Are they using REAL WHOLE FRUIT or are they taking the cheaper route, using fruit concentrate or purees?

In other words, all 'fruit snacks' are not created equal! Fruiter is a new better-for-you candy brand that scratches the sweet-treat itch without sacrificing quality ingredients. With Great Lakes grown fruit as its #1 ingredient, Fruiter has re-written the rules about what a candy can be.

And the Starring Role Goes to ... Fruit!

The main stars of Fruiter are blueberries, cranberries, cherries, and apples. Not only are these super fruits all bursting with health benefits, they are also naturally sweet, requiring much less added sugar than traditional candy brands.

And for those who can't get enough of sour candy, you'll be happy to know Fruiter packs a sour punch thanks to all-natural sour flavorings, nothing artificial. (Let's just say Fruiter would make Miranda Priestly pucker her lips in a GOOD way.) 

What Are the Benefits of Whole Fruit in Candy?

First some background on where Fruiter sources its fruit. Fruiter's growers are located in the heart of America’s leading cranberry, tart cherry, apple, and cultivated blueberry growing region. High-quality fresh fruit is harvested at peak season and flash frozen to preserve its integrity, nutrition, vibrant color, and authentic flavor. That fruit is then dried on its way to becoming Fruiter better-for-you candy!

But what are the potential health benefits of these fruits? Glad you asked, because they are significant. Below is a brief overview of each fruit, along with links if you want to dig deeper:

Cranberries

Source: The Cranberry Institute
Phytonutrients (naturally derived plant compounds found in cranberries), particularly polyphenols, are increasingly being shown to help optimize human health:

• Cranberries are thought to provide health benefits due to their flavonoid and phytonutrient content. These naturally occurring compounds have antioxidant and antimicrobial benefits that are evident in the oral cavity, gastrointestinal (GI) tract and urinary tract.
• A specific type of flavonoid, proanthocyanidins (PAC), in cranberries provide urinary tract benefits by interfering with the ability of pathogenic P-fimbriated Escherichia coli (E. coli ) to cause infections in the urinary tract.
• The majority of studies have focused on the cranberry’s role in urinary tract health, but the benefits extend beyond the urinary tract. Other key areas include the berry’s antimicrobial activities, cardiovascular and Type 2 diabetes, and anti-cancer properties.
• Cranberries provide numerous cardiovascular benefits. They have been shown to reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-oxidation, maintain or improve high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels, reducing platelet aggregation and improving vascular function.

For more information and a list of sources, please visit The Cranberry Institute.

Blueberries

Source: The US Highbush Blueberry Counsel and Healthline
Native to North America, blueberries are a healthy food, and eating them often may help with heart disease, brain health, and blood sugar levels:

• Blueberries contribute essential nutrients including vitamin C, vitamin
  K, dietary fiber and phytonutrients called polyphenols.
• They contain anthocyanins, the flavonoid compounds responsible for blueberries’ vibrant blue color.
  
• Blueberries provide an excellent source of manganese.
  

For more information and a list of sources, please visit USHBC and Healthline.

Cherries

Source: US Tart Cherries
Fruiter uses Montmorency tart cherries, known for their bright red color. That ruby-red color comes from naturally occurring compounds called anthocyanins, which are part of a broader group of plant compounds known as polyphenols:

• Research in healthy adults suggests Montmorency tart cherry juice or concentrate may help support muscle strength recovery after intense exercise.
• Tart cherries are one of the few foods that naturally contain melatonin, a compound involved in regulating the body’s sleep-wake cycle.

For more information and a list of sources, please visit ustartcherries.com.

Apples

Source: US Apple
Turns out, that apple-a-day-keeps-the-doctor-away advice was no joke. Besides being delicious, apples are chock full of healthy benefits:

• Apples contain the soluble fiber pectin, which has cholesterol-lowering benefits linked to reducing risk of cardiovascular disease.
• Regular consumption of apples is linked to a decreased risk of certain cancers, thanks to their fiber content and high levels of antioxidants, particularly the polyphenols quercetin.
• Eating flavonoid-rich foods like apples helps protect your brain from oxidative damage over time.
• Apples are also a great source of pectin, a soluble fiber that promotes healthy gut bacteria.
• Apples contain immune-boosting vitamin C. Regular consumption of vitamin C helps your immune system function properly.

For more information and a list of sources, please visit usapple.org.

A Final Thought on Better-For-You Candy

When it comes right down to it, Fruiter is candy, as are the other products listed in the comparison chart above. But what sets Fruiter apart are the ingredients that are (and aren't) IN this candy brand. Fruit is always the #1 ingredient, and added sugar is kept to a minimum. And you'll never find artificial colors, dyes, flavors, or preservatives. Fruiter also provides 100% daily value of Vitamin C, along with the health benefits associated with cranberries, blueberries, cherries, and apples.

So next time you think about reaching for an afternoon pick-me-up, a post-workout recovery treat, or a healthier option for your kiddo's lunch box, you might want to consider a candy upgrade. Because you should be able to answer "yes!" to the question of "to snack or not to snack" ... and feel good about it.