Little Bites are a popular brand of mini muffins and brownies that come in a variety of flavors like chocolate chip, blueberry, and pumpkin spice. They are marketed as a convenient snack for kids and adults on-the-go. But are these bite-sized treats actually a healthy option? As a nutrition-focused writer, I decided to take a closer look at the ingredients and nutrition facts of Little Bites to find out.
What are Little Bites made of?
The main ingredients in Little Bites are wheat flour, sugar, chocolate chips or fruit purees depending on the flavor, palm oil, eggs, and baking powder. They also contain various preservatives and emulsifiers. Here is a breakdown of some of the key ingredients:
Refined wheat flour
The main ingredient in Little Bites is enriched bleached wheat flour. This refined flour has had the bran and germ removed, stripping away fiber, vitamins, and minerals. The flour is then bleached to give it a lighter color. Overall, refined flours are digested quickly and spike blood sugar.
Sugar
Sugar is the second biggest ingredient in Little Bites. Depending on variety, they contain anywhere from 9-14 grams of sugar per serving. Added sugars like those in Little Bites provide empty calories without nutrients. And eating too much added sugar is linked to weight gain, diabetes, and heart disease.
Palm oil
Palm oil gives Little Bites their soft, moist texture. However, palm oil production has raised major environmental concerns regarding deforestation, habitat destruction, and unethical labor practices. Many health and environmental experts recommend avoiding palm oil.
Preservatives
Little Bites contain several preservatives including sorbic acid, sodium propionate, and sodium stearoyl lactylate. While preservatives extend shelf life, some researchers question if regular exposure to commonly used preservatives may impact health long-term. More research is still needed.
Little Bites nutrition facts
Now let’s look at the nutrition facts for a standard serving size of 2 Little Bites mini muffins (35g):
Calories: 140
With 140 calories per 2 muffins, Little Bites are quite calorie-dense for their small size. Two mini muffins provide around 7% of the total daily calorie intake for someone on a 2000 calorie diet. The high sugar content contributes to the high calorie count.
Fat: 5g
A serving of Little Bites provides 5g of fat, which is 8% of the recommended daily value. However, most of this fat comes from palm oil, rather than healthier unsaturated fats. And some varieties like brownies contain trans fats, the unhealthiest type of fat.
Carbs: 24g
4g fiber
20g sugar
Little Bites contain 24g net carbs per serving, with the majority from added sugars. All those added sugars explain why they may cause spikes and crashes in blood sugar levels.
Protein: 1g
With just 1g of protein per serving, Little Bites mini muffins and brownies do not provide much protein, an essential macronutrient. Higher protein snacks help sustain energy and keep you full.
| Nutrition Facts per Serving (2 mini muffins) | |
|---|---|
| Calories | 140 |
| Fat | 5g |
| Carbohydrates | 24g |
| – Fiber | 4g |
| – Sugar | 20g |
| Protein | 1g |
Are Little Bites healthy for kids?
Little Bites are marketed heavily towards kids with their fun shapes, cute packaging, and variety of flavors. But are these snack cakes actually a good option for growing children? Let’s go through some key considerations around feeding Little Bites to kids:
Sugar content
With up to 14g of sugar in just 2 mini muffins, Little Bites contain a lot of added sugar and not much nutritional value. This much sugar can lead to cavities, hyperactivity, mood swings, and excess weight gain in children. The American Heart Association recommends limiting added sugar to 6 teaspoons (25g) per day for children. Two Little Bites max out that quota quickly.
Lack of nutrients
Processed snack foods like Little Bites provide very little in terms of important nutrients, besides empty calories. Kids need snacks that provide energy along with vitamins, minerals, fiber, and protein for growth and development. Little Bites lack the nutritional density growing kids require.
Artificial ingredients
In addition to added sugars, Little Bites contain artificial flavors, colors, emulsifiers, and preservatives like TBHQ. While more research is needed, some studies link commonly used food additives to health issues in children like allergies, asthma, and ADHD. It’s best to limit processed foods with artificial ingredients.
Risk of obesity
Feeding kids calorie-dense, nutrition-poor snacks like Little Bites on a regular basis can lead to unhealthy weight gain over time. And childhood obesity rates have tripled over the past 30 years. Replacing junk food snacks with more nutritious options can help ensure proper growth and body weight.
Healthier kid-friendly snack alternatives
When a snack craving strikes, you can provide your kids with treats that are both delicious and nutritious. Here are some healthier snack ideas:
Fresh fruit
Fruits like apple slices, oranges, grapes, and bananas make portable, satisfying snacks full of vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Mix it up to keep kids interested. Dried fruits are also an option, just watch portion sizes due to calorie density.
Veggies with dip
Kids tend to love dips, so give them something healthy and tasty to dip with. Baby carrots, bell pepper strips, cucumber slices, or broccoli florets paired with hummus, Greek yogurt dip, or bean dip makes a nutritious snack.
Yogurt with granola
Look for unsweetened Greek yogurt high in protein. Mix in fresh berries, chopped nuts, and a sprinkle of granola for added crunch and fiber. Avoid yogurt with lots of added sugars.
Whole grain crackers or rice cakes
Pair crispy whole grain crackers or lightly salted rice cakes with cheese slices, nut butter, or smashed avocado for a filling, wholesome snack. Look for options without hydrogenated oils.
Trail mix or granola bars
Make your own trail mix with nuts, seeds, dried fruit, coconut flakes, and a touch of chocolate. Or choose bars with ingredients like oats, nuts, and real fruit, and under 10g added sugar.
Popcorn
As long as it’s not drenched in butter, air-popped popcorn makes a healthy, crunchy snack kids love. Sprinkle nutritional yeast and chili powder for flavor.
Smoothies
Blending frozen fruit, yogurt, milk, spinach or kale, and a little honey or maple syrup results in a delicious smoothie. Let kids help mix the ingredients.
Energy balls
Blend oats, nut butter, seeds, coconut, dried fruit, and cocoa or carob powder. Then roll into balls and refrigerate until firm. A tasty homemade treat!
The verdict on Little Bites
After closely analyzing the ingredients list, nutrition facts, and health impacts, here is my final take on Little Bites:
While these tiny muffins and brownies may look cute and seem convenient, they provide very little nutritional value. Little Bites are high in refined carbs, added sugars, and unhealthy fats, yet low in fiber, protein, and vitamins. Regularly feeding Little Bites to your kids is likely to have negative health consequences over time, including cavities, disrupted blood sugar, weight gain, and lack of proper nutrition.
Parents should consider Little Bites more of an occasional dessert treat, rather than a daily snack. There are far healthier snack options out there that both satisfy kids’ cravings and provide energy, nutrients, and proper nutrition for growth and development. Limiting processed food snacks high in sugar and low in nutrition is the best practice for raising healthy kids.
Overall, Little Bites make a poor regular snack choice, especially for growing children. But there are plenty of delicious, nutrient-dense alternatives to provide when kids need an energy boost. Saving treats like Little Bites for special occasions and focusing on more wholesome snacks can help keep both kids and adults feeling their best.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Little Bites healthier than other snack cakes?
Little Bites are not necessarily healthier than similar snack cakes like Hostess or Entenmann’s. All these processed baked goods tend to be high in refined carbs, added sugars, and unhealthy fats. Little Bites may be slightly smaller in size, but the nutrition facts are comparable to other snack cakes.
Can kids eat Little Bites every day?
It’s not recommended for kids to eat processed snacks like Little Bites daily. The high amount of added sugars, refined carbs, and artificial ingredients can negatively impact children’s health over time. Little Bites should be an occasional treat, not an everyday snack.
Are Little Bites made with real fruit?
Some varieties of Little Bites like blueberry and lemon contain real fruit purees, but in small amounts. The main ingredients are refined flour, sugar, palm oil, and preservatives. Many flavors instead contain artificial flavors and coloring rather than real fruit.
Are Little Bites vegan or gluten-free?
Regular Little Bites are not vegan or gluten-free. Most varieties contain milk or eggs. And the main flour used is enriched white wheat flour, meaning they contain gluten. However, there are now some gluten-free Little Bites made with rice flour and no dairy.
Can I give Little Bites to my toddler?
It’s best to wait until age 2 to introduce highly processed snacks like Little Bites, if at all. The first few years are important for developing taste preferences. And toddlers need plenty of wholesome foods for nutrition, not empty calorie snack cakes. Ask your pediatrician when to safely introduce.
