Are Fig Newtons a Healthy Snack for Kids?

[Anonymous]

Yes or no, and why or why not?

[Anonymous]

I would say they are better than Oreos.

We give our 3 year old the occasional fig newton for a dessert. We do the Whole Grain ones so that we can pretend that they're healthy!

[Anonymous]

We get the organic fig newtons that don't have the processed sugar but are sweetned by molassas from Whole Foosds. I thought they would suck, but actually aren't that bad. The "real" Fig Newtons have alot of sugar and trans-fats in them. My son is only 13 months, and perhaps if were older, I would give him the real ones, but am trying to be good for now!

[Anonymous]

PP here-I forgot to add that the reasons we give him the Fig Newtons as a snack instead of other cookies is that the figs are supposed to be a good source of fiber.

[Anonymous]

We use the fig bars from Trader Joes--still lots of sugar but no trans fats. I agree with the PP that these are still cookies, but healthier cookies than other kinds. Better than an Oreo, not as good as an apple.
But then we are pretty relaxed about food overall...

[Anonymous]

I buy the Paul Newmans Organic Fig cookies. I get them at Whole Foods but I'm sure they sell them other places

[Anonymous]

I considered them for DD but didn't buy them. They are more sugar than fruit. We do fruit instead.

[Anonymous]

No, not HEALTHY, but a good option for cookies. I nice treat. However, I do not buy the fig newton's brand, but get the Newman's Own. No trans fats or processed sugars (HFCS).

You are asking if they are healthy? You mean like a fruit substitute? Absolutly not.

[Anonymous]

We give ours the whole great fig newtons. Not as a fruit substitute but occasional snack. She is healthy and has lived to tell about it.

[Anonymous]

Checked the label of fig newtowns, whole grain, today. they have artificial flavour and sulfurdioxid. they only contain calcium and iron, calcium you could get from milk, cheese, yoghurt what kids usually eat plenty of. iron could be a plus but I wouldn't trade it for artificial flavor!

[Anonymous]

Nabisco Fig Newton Ingredient list: ("healthy" ingredients in bold)

Enriched Flour (Wheat Flour, Niacin, Reduce Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate [Vitamin B1], Riboflavin [Vitamin B2], Folic Acid), Figs Preserved with Sulfur Dioxide, Corn Syrup, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Sugar, Soybean Oil, Whey (from Milk), Partially Hydrogenated Cottonseed Oil (Adds a Trivial Amount of Saturated Fat), Salt, Baking Soda, Calcium Lactate, Malic Acid, Soy Lecithin (Emulsifier), Potassium Sorbate Added to Preserve Freshness, Natural and Artificial Flavor.

Nope -- Fig Newtons qualify as a highly processed food and are not, IMO a "healthy" snack.

I do agree they appear to have more nutritional value than an Oreo Cookie, however., because of the figs listed as the second ingredient. Figs are actual real food. However the artificial flavor is a big negative to me.

Nabisco Oreo Cookie Ingredient List: (I can't find any healthy ingredients in this cookie, except maybe the cocoa?)

Sugar, Enriched Flour (Wheat Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate [Vitamin B1], Riboflavin [Vitamin B2], Folic Acid), High Oleic Canola Oil and/or Palm Oil and/or Canola Oil, Cocoa (Processed with Alkali), High Fructose Corn Syrup, Baking Soda, Cornstarch, Salt, Soy Lecithin (Emulsifier), Vanillin - an Artificial Flavor, Chocolate.

[Anonymous]

Whole Foods sells organic Fig Newtons. No corn syrup and nothing artificial. Check them out.