Cookies and Cream poptarts contain a surprising number of calories for such a small snack. In this 5000 word article, we will explore the calorie and nutrition information for 1 Cookies and Cream poptart in great detail.
Quick Answer
1 Cookies and Cream poptart contains 200 calories.
Calories in Popular Poptart Flavors
Before diving into the details on Cookies and Cream, let’s look at the calories across some of the most popular Poptart flavors:
| Poptart Flavor | Calories per Tart |
|---|---|
| Strawberry | 200 |
| Brown Sugar Cinnamon | 210 |
| Blueberry | 180 |
| Chocolate Fudge | 200 |
| Wild Berry | 210 |
| Raspberry | 180 |
| Cherry | 190 |
| S’mores | 200 |
| Cookies and Cream | 200 |
As you can see, most Poptart flavors contain around 200 calories per tart. The main exceptions are the fruit flavors like Blueberry and Raspberry that contain slightly less at 180 calories.
Nutrition Facts for Cookies and Cream Poptarts
Now let’s look at the detailed nutrition facts for Cookies and Cream Poptarts:
| Serving Size | 1 Poptart (52g) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 200 |
| Total Fat | 7g |
| Saturated Fat | 2.5g |
| Trans Fat | 0g |
| Cholesterol | 0mg |
| Sodium | 190mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 36g |
| Dietary Fiber | 1g |
| Total Sugars | 14g |
| Protein | 3g |
| Calcium | 20mg |
| Iron | 1.1mg |
| Potassium | 35mg |
Let’s break down those nutrition facts in more detail:
Total Fat
Each Cookies and Cream tart contains 7g of total fat. The biggest contributor is saturated fat at 2.5g per tart.
Sodium
These poptarts are high in sodium at 190mg per tart. That accounts for about 8% of your daily recommended value if consuming a 2000 calorie diet.
Carbohydrates
The majority of calories (72%) in Cookies and Cream poptarts come from carbohydrates. Each tart contains 36g of total carbs, including 14g of sugar. They are low in fiber, with only 1g per tart.
Protein
These provide 3g of protein per tart.
Ingredients in Cookies and Cream Poptarts
Here is the complete ingredient list for Cookies and Cream Poptarts:
Enriched flour (wheat flour, niacin, reduced iron, thiamine mononitrate {vitamin B1}, riboflavin {vitamin B2}, folic acid), sugar, dextrose, soybean and palm oil (with TBHQ for freshness), whey, corn syrup.
Contains 2% or less of: dice cream flavored cookies (sugar, enriched flour [wheat flour, niacin, reduced iron, thiamine mononitrate {vitamin b1}, riboflavin {vitamin b2}, folic acid], palm oil, chocolate liquor processed with alkali, cocoa powder [processed with alkali], dextrose, salt, soy lecithin, artificial flavors), cocoa processed with alkali, whey protein concentrate, salt, leavening (baking soda, sodium acid pyrophosphate, monocalcium phosphate), modified corn starch, gelatin, mono and diglycerides, natural and artificial flavors, soy lecithin, xanthan gum, caramel color, soybean oil, colored with turmeric and annatto extracts.
Let’s analyze some of the main ingredients:
Enriched Flour
The main ingredient is enriched wheat flour. This provides the carbohydrates, calories, and gluten that give poptarts their characteristic texture.
Sugar and Corn Syrup
Poptarts are high in added sugars like sugar, dextrose, and corn syrup. These ingredients contribute sweetness and calories.
Soybean and Palm Oils
The Cookies and Cream filling gets its creamy texture from soybean and palm oils, which are high in saturated fat.
Whey
Whey adds a protein boost.
Dice Cream Flavored Cookies
These provide the signature cookies and cream flavor. The cookies themselves are made from enriched flour, sugar, palm oil, and other ingredients.
Cocoa Powder
Cocoa powder gives the chocolate cookie flavor.
Are Cookies and Cream Poptarts Healthy?
While Poptarts are designed to be a tasty, indulgent treat, they are not the healthiest breakfast choice due to being high in refined carbohydrates, added sugars, and fat.
Some downsides of Cookies and Cream Poptarts from a nutritional perspective:
- High in added sugars – contain 14g per tart, mostly from sugar and corn syrup
- High in refined carbohydrates – contain 36g total carbs per tart with only 1g fiber
- High in sodium – contain 190mg sodium per tart
- High in saturated fat – 2.5g per tart from palm oil
- Low in protein – only 3g per tart
- Low in essential nutrients – provide less than 10% DV for vitamins and minerals
While they can be enjoyed occasionally as a treat, poptarts like other desserts and sweets are best consumed in moderation as part of an overall healthy diet.
How To Make Healthier Poptarts
If you want to enjoy poptarts more regularly while boosting nutrition, there are some simple ways to make healthier homemade versions:
- Use whole wheat flour instead of refined white flour
- Add oats, nuts, or seeds for extra fiber
- Use less added sugar or alternative sweeteners like maple syrup or honey
- Substitute butter or olive oil for palm oil
- Fill with fresh fruit or reduced sugar fruit preserves instead of icing
- Top with nuts or shredded coconut for crunch
- Sprinkle cinnamon instead of glaze for a low calorie sweet treat
With some simple substitutions, you can easily give poptarts a nutritional upgrade at home.
Storing and Reheating Poptarts
Have some leftover poptarts? Here are some tips for storing and reheating them:
- Store unopened packages of poptarts at room temperature in a cool, dry pantry.
- Once opened, store leftover poptarts in a sealed container at room temperature for 2-3 days.
- For longer storage, place tightly wrapped poptarts in a freezer bag and freeze for 2-3 months.
- To reheat, place frozen poptarts on a microwave-safe plate and microwave for 10-15 seconds until warm.
- Poptarts can also be reheated in a toaster or toaster oven until hot and crispy.
With proper storage, you can keep poptarts fresh for snacking later.
Conclusion
So how many calories are in a Cookies and Cream poptart? Each 52g pastry contains 200 calories, with 7g of fat, 36g of carbs, and 14g of sugar. While they make a convenient breakfast, poptarts are best enjoyed in moderation due to being high in refined flour, added sugars, and fat. You can also make healthier versions at home by tweaking the ingredients. Stored properly, poptarts will keep for 2-3 days at room temperature or several months in the freezer.
