Q: Are fruit snacks healthful for kids? A: Fruit snacks run
around 80 calories to 90 calories per small pouch, which is a
reasonable amount of calories for a kid's snack. They're free of
fat, cholesterol and are very low in sodium. Many also provide
vitamins A and C. But these sticky fruit snacks have around 5
teaspoons of added sugar per pouch. Many also contain small
amounts of partially hydrogenated oils -- another name for
artery-clogging trans-fat! There's also no protein, healthy fat
or fiber to make it a satisfying snack, meaning your little ones
will be hungry soon after munching a pack or two. If you read
the ingredient lists, many fruit snacks are made from food
coloring and dyes, including yellow 40, red 5 and blue 1, which
has been linked to behavioral problems and hyperactivity in
children. The verdict: If you're looking to give your kids a
well-balanced snack with plenty of vitamins A and C, choose REAL
fruit instead (you'll also get fiber and potassium). Most fruit
snacks are little more than s