Outshine fruit bars are a popular frozen fruit snack marketed as a healthier alternative to ice cream bars and other frozen treats. But are they really a nutritious choice? As a health-conscious consumer, you may be wondering if Outshine fruit bars live up to their reputation or if they’re just another sugary snack masquerading as a health food.
This article will explore the nutritional profile of Outshine fruit bars, analyze the ingredients, and compare them to other frozen fruit bars and snacks. We’ll look at factors like calories, sugar content, fiber, and protein to determine if Outshine fruit bars deserve a spot in your freezer. Read on for a comprehensive look at whether these fruit bars can be part of a balanced diet or if you’re better off choosing a different frozen treat.
Nutritional Profile of Outshine Fruit Bars
First, let’s examine the basic nutritional facts of Outshine fruit bars. Here is a chart comparing the calories, sugar, fiber, and protein in different flavors of Outshine fruit bars versus ice cream sandwiches and fudgsicles:
| Frozen Treat | Calories | Sugar (g) | Fiber (g) | Protein (g) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Outshine pineapple fruit bar | 60 | 13 | 0 | 0 |
| Outshine strawberry fruit bar | 70 | 15 | 1 | 0 |
| Outshine cherry fruit bar | 80 | 17 | 1 | 1 |
| Ice cream sandwich | 140 | 14 | 0 | 2 |
| Fudgsicle | 80 | 14 | 0 | 1 |
As you can see, Outshine fruit bars generally have around 60-80 calories per bar and 13-17 grams of sugar. They also contain little to no fiber or protein. Compared to ice cream sandwiches and fudgsicles, Outshine bars are lower in calories and have comparable sugar content.
Calorie-wise, Outshine fruit bars appear to be a lighter option than ice cream treats. However, their lack of fiber, protein, and other nutrients makes their nutritional profile less balanced than fresh fruit or other snacks. Let’s take a deeper look at the ingredients to get the full picture.
Outshine Fruit Bar Ingredients
Flip over a box of Outshine fruit bars and you’ll see a lengthy ingredient list. Here’s a breakdown of the main ingredients:
– Fruit purees – Provides flavor, nutrients, and fiber (but less than fresh fruit)
– Added sugars – Usually the second ingredient after fruit; boosts sweetness
– Water
– Corn syrup – Adds texture and sweetness
– Natural flavors – Enhance fruit flavors
– Citric acid – Provides tartness
– Coloring – Provides vibrant color
– Sunflower oil – Provides smooth, creamy texture
As you can see, Outshine fruit bars do contain some nutritious fruit purees. But they also pack in added sugars, corn syrup, and oil. There are no artificial colors or flavors, which is a plus. However, all the extra add-ins tamp down the nutritional benefits of the real fruit.
One serving of fresh pineapple, strawberries, or cherries would provide more fiber, vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients compared to the Outshine fruit bars. The whole fruit also contains far less added sugar.
Outshine Fruit Bars vs. Other Fruit Bars
How do Outshine fruit bars stack up against other frozen fruit bars on the market? Here’s a nutritional comparison of Outshine, Yasso, Fruit Bars, and Cliff bars:
| Frozen Fruit Bar | Calories | Sugar | Fiber | Protein |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Outshine | 60-80 | 13-17g | 0-1g | 0-1g |
| Yasso | 100 | 9-12g | 2-4g | 2-4g |
| Fruit Bars | 70 | 10g | 2g | 2g |
| Cliff bars | 140 | 20g | 4g | 5g |
Yasso, Fruit Bars, and Cliff bars edge out Outshine when it comes to fiber and protein content. They also contain less added sugar than Outshine bars, even though some have higher calorie counts.
The takeaway: Outshine isn’t the worst frozen fruit bar, but it lags behind several competitors in nutritional value. The lack of fiber and protein make Outshine more of a sugary confection than a health food.
Sugar Content in Outshine Bars
One area of concern with Outshine fruit bars is their high sugar content. As the charts above show, a single Outshine bar provides 13-17 grams of sugar.
To put that in perspective, the American Heart Association recommends limiting added sugar intake to no more than 25 grams per day for women and 36 grams per day for men. Just one Outshine bar delivers more than half of that amount!
The high sugar load comes from both natural sugars in the fruit and added sugars like corn syrup or cane sugar. All that sugar can spike your blood sugar, provide empty calories, and increase risks for obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.
If you’re watching your sugar intake, the 13-17 grams in Outshine fruit bars is alarmingly high for a “healthy” snack. You’d be better off reaching for fresh fruit that contains natural sugar, but also fiber, vitamins, minerals, and water.
Benefits of Outshine Fruit Bars
Outshine fruit bars do have some nutritional benefits:
– Real fruit purees provide vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients
– No artificial ingredients, colors, or flavors
– Lower in calories than ice cream treats
– Convenient pre-portioned snack
– Fruit flavors can satisfy sweet cravings
– Doesn’t require refrigeration before opening
– Easy to pack in lunches or eat on the go
While Outshine bars aren’t as nutritious as whole fruit, they do contain some redeeming qualities. The real fruit purees provide a nutrient boost over sugary candy. And compared to ice cream, Outshine bars are lower in fat and calories. The portable pouches make them handy for lunches or snacks.
Just keep portion size in mind, as the high sugar content can add up quickly. Stick to one bar at a time and think of Outshine as an occasional treat rather than an everyday health food.
Outshine Bar Flavor Options
Outshine bars come in a variety of tantalizing fruit flavors:
Tropical Flavors
– Pineapple
– Mango
– Coconut pineapple
– Piña colada
Berry Flavors
– Strawberry
– Strawberry banana
– Mixed berry
– Blueberry
Other Fruit Flavors
– Cherry
– Peach
– Fruit punch
– Orange cream
– White ice (lemon)
This wide range of flavors gives you plenty of variety to keep your taste buds happy. Just watch out for the fruit punch and piña colada bars, as these tend to be higher in sugar than the straight fruit flavors.
If you want a more nutritious option, look for bars featuring combinations of real fruits like strawberry banana rather than syrupy tropical concoctions. But for an occasional treat any Outshine flavor can hit the spot on a hot summer day.
Are Outshine Bars Dairy Free?
Outshine fruit bars are dairy-free and make a nice alternative for people avoiding milk products. They are safe for vegans and those with lactose intolerance.
The bars contain no milk, cream, butter, yogurt or cheese ingredients. Instead, they derive their creamy texture from fruit purees and sunflower oil. So you can enjoy Outshine bars even if you follow a dairy-free diet.
One caveat is that Outshine bars are produced on equipment shared with milk-containing products. So there is a slight chance of cross-contamination. For people with severe milk allergies, another brand made in a dedicated dairy-free facility may be a safer choice. But those simply avoiding dairy for preference can eat Outshine bars.
Outshine Nutrition Facts: Key Takeaways
To recap the key points on Outshine fruit bar nutrition:
– Low in calories compared to ice cream bars
– Provide vitamins and minerals from real fruit purees
– Also contain added sugars, corn syrup, and sunflower oil
– Higher in sugar and lower in fiber than whole fruit
– Less protein and fiber than some competing fruit bars
– No artificial ingredients or dairy
– Come in a variety of tempting fruit flavors
– Conveniently portioned for lunches and snacks
The bottom line: Outshine fruit bars aren’t as nutritious as fresh fruit, but they beat out ice cream and candy. Enjoy them occasionally as a sweet treat, but don’t rely on them daily for fruit nutrition. Moderation and portion control is key.
Healthier Frozen Fruit Bar Alternatives
If you’re seeking a truly healthy frozen fruit bar, opt for a product with only real fruit ingredients and minimal added sugar. Here are some better-for-you picks:
– Yasso Greek Yogurt Bars: Feature tangy Greek yogurt and fruit purees for protein
– Fruit Bars: Just fruit puree and juice concentrates for sweetness
– Healthy Times fruit bars: Made for toddlers and kids but anyone can enjoy
– Whole Fruit bars: Consist of 100% frozen fruit chunks on a stick
– DIY fruit pops: Blend and freeze your own fruit purees at home
Check the ingredient lists and Nutrition Facts labels closely and choose products with higher fiber content and lower added sugars. Making your own fruit pops is ideal for controlling exactly what goes in them.
While Outshine bars beat typical ice cream novelties, they aren’t health food. For better nutrition from frozen fruit snacks, look to alternatives made with just fruit and yogurt.
Are Outshine Bars Gluten Free?
Good news for anyone avoiding gluten – Outshine fruit bars are certified gluten-free!
They contain no wheat, barley, rye or other gluten-containing ingredients. The bars are made in a dedicated gluten-free facility to prevent cross-contamination.
So if you have celiac disease, gluten sensitivity, or simply want to cut back on gluten, you can safely enjoy Outshine fruit bars. They provide a convenient gluten-free sweet snack.
Just be sure to check the packaging for the “Certified Gluten-Free” logo before purchasing. Outshine also makes some products like fudge bars that are not gluten-free, so double check you are grabbing the fruit bars.
Thanks to their gluten-free status, Outshine fruit bars can be a tasty treat for anyone following a gluten-free diet. They provide an alternative to traditional ice cream bars and popsicles that may contain gluten from cookie or wafer ingredients.
Do Outshine Bars Have Dairy? Are They Dairy-Free?
Outshine fruit bars are dairy-free and do not contain milk, cream, yogurt or any other dairy ingredients.
The creamy texture comes from fruit purees and oil rather than dairy products. So Outshine bars are suitable for:
– Vegan diets
– Dairy-free diets
– Lactose intolerance
– Milk allergies
The lack of dairy also makes Outshine bars lower in saturated fat and cholesterol than ice cream bars.
However, it’s worth noting that Outshine bars are produced on equipment shared with milk-containing products. So there is a small chance of cross-contamination.
For most dairy-free eaters, the minute amounts are not an issue. But for those with severe milk allergies, another brand made in a dedicated facility may be the safest choice.
Overall, Outshine fruit bars are considered dairy-free. But always check labels for allergen warnings if you have food sensitivities.
Do Outshine Bars Have Soy?
Outshine fruit bars do not contain soy ingredients, making them safe for people with soy allergies.
You won’t find soy protein, soybean oil, soy lecithin or any other soy-derived additives in Outshine bars. They are soy-free.
Without soy, Outshine bars do lack some of the protein you would find in a soy-based frozen dessert. But for those avoiding soy due to allergies or other concerns, the lack of soy is an advantage.
As with any product, always carefully read ingredient lists if you have food allergies. Manufacturing can change over time. But Outshine bars are currently formulated without soy.
Do Outshine Bars Have Peanuts or Tree Nuts?
Outshine fruit bars do not contain peanuts, tree nuts, or nut-derived ingredients. So they are safe for people with peanut and tree nut allergies.
You won’t find any almonds, cashews, walnuts, pecans or other nuts in Outshine bars. And they are produced in a facility free of peanuts and tree nuts, to avoid cross-contamination.
However, it’s important to note that Outshine’s frozen novelty products, like ice cream bars and fudge bars, do contain nuts in some flavors. So check labels to make sure you are grabbing the nut-free fruit bars if you have allergies.
Sticking with the Outshine fruit bars allows those with nut allergies to enjoy a frozen treat without worries. Just always check labels to confirm the lack of nuts and cross-contamination.
Do Outshine Bars Have Eggs?
Outshine fruit bars do not contain eggs, egg whites, egg yolks, or any other egg-derived ingredients. This makes them safe for people with egg allergies.
Other frozen desserts often contain egg yolks or whites to create texture and richness. But Outshine fruit bars achieve their creamy factor through fruit purees instead.
The lack of eggs makes Outshine a nice alternative dessert for those avoiding eggs, whether for allergies, vegan diets, or cholesterol concerns.
As with any product, double check labels in case recipes change. But current Outshine fruit bars are free of eggs for greater peace of mind.
Conclusion
Outshine fruit bars offer a tasty frozen fruit snack in convenient pouches. They provide some nutritional value from real fruit purees, with lower calories than traditional ice cream bars. But their high sugar content from added sweeteners makes them more of treat than a health food.
While fine for an occasional dessert, rely on Outshine bars sparingly in a healthy diet. For better nutrition, choose whole fruits or bars with just fruit, yogurt, and minimal added sugars. Outshine works nicely for a dairy-free, gluten-free, nut-free frozen option, as long as you don’t overdo the sugar. Enjoy in moderation along with plenty of less processed snacks.
