Most popsicles are fat-free and relatively low in calories, but that doesn’t mean they’re “good” for us. In fact, most popsicles are a not-so-appealing combo of sugar + artificial food dyes ��� and if they’re sugar-free, they’re artificially sweetened.
But it’s not all doom and gloom on the popsicle aisle: There are a few “love it” options on shelves, and their single-serving packages offer built-in portion control. Find out which ones are best – and which ones to steer clear of – in today’s Get the Skinny with Molly.
LOVE IT!
GoodPop Frozen Pops – Strawberry or Watermelon
- 60 calories – 0 saturated fat – 17 grams carbs – 15 grams sugar – 0 protein
- Ingredients are simple: Strawberries or watermelon juice, water, organic cane sugar, agave…
- 35-40 calories – 9 grams carb – 9 grams sugar
- Ingredients include fruit & vegetable juices and purees, sugar, guar gum, carob bean gum
LIKE IT!
Whole Foods 365 Carrot Tangerine Fruit & Veggie Bars
- 90 calories – 0 saturated fat – 21 grams carbs – 21 grams sugar – <1 gram protein
- Ingredients: carrot puree, tangerine juice concentrate, apple juice concentrate, cane sugar, apple puree, carrot juice concentrate…
Outshine Fruit Bars – No Sugar Added
- 25 calories – 6 grams carb – 1 gram sugar
- Ingredients include fruit or fruit juice, sorbitol, beta carotene or vegetable juices for color, sucralose, acesulfame potassium
Kemps Pop Jr & Popsicle Brand Sugar Free Pops
- 15 calories – 0 saturated fat – 4 grams carbs – 0 sugar – 0 protein
- Ingredients include glycerine, maltodextrin, blue 1, red 40, yellow 5 & 6, aspartame, acesulfame potassium, some juice concentrates
- Artificially colored + sweetened; only in “like it” because a very-low-calorie snack that can curb sweet tooth; works for many for a late-night sweet without a big caloric investment.
HATE IT!
Kemp’s Pop Jr | Popsicle Brand Popsicles (e.g. Grape, Cherry, Orange)
- “Only” 40 calories, but first 3 ingredients are high fructose corn syrup, sugar, and corn syrup
- Artificially colored with food dyes like red 40, blue 1, and yellow 5 and 6.
Blue Bunny Blue Ribbon Classics™ Twin Pops
- 60 calories – 15 grams carbs – 11 grams sugar
- Ingredients include high fructose corn syrup, corn syrup, sugar, Yellow 5, Blue 1, Red 40
###
Want more from Molly? Click here to sign up for Nutrition Bites, her weekly e-newsletter with links to her Get the Skinny TV segments here on WGNO, and her weekly column in NOLA.com|The Times-Picayune! And you can follow Molly on Facebook, Twitter, & Instagram: @MollyKimballRD