Mango-A-Go-Go has become an increasingly popular frozen fruit bar in recent years. With its all-natural ingredients and refreshing mango flavor, it’s easy to see why people are drawn to this tasty treat. But is Mango-A-Go-Go actually a healthy choice?
In this article, we’ll explore the nutritional profile of Mango-A-Go-Go bars and weigh the potential benefits and downsides. We’ll look at the ingredients, calorie content, and how they fit into a balanced diet. Understanding the full nutritional picture will help you decide if Mango-A-Go-Go bars should be part of your regular snack routine.
Nutritional Profile of Mango-A-Go-Go
First, let’s examine the nutrition facts for a standard 2.2 oz Mango-A-Go-Go bar:
| Nutrition Facts | Per Bar (2.2 oz) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 70 |
| Total Fat | 0 g |
| Sodium | 0 mg |
| Total Carbohydrate | 18 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 16 g |
| Protein | 0 g |
The main ingredients are mango puree, sugar, water, fruit pectin, citric acid, and natural flavors. It’s also worth noting what’s NOT in the bars – no added preservatives, synthetic colors, or artificial flavors.
Low Fat and Calorie Count
One of the biggest benefits of Mango-A-Go-Go bars is the low fat and calorie content. With just 70 calories and 0 grams of fat per bar, they make a light, guilt-free frozen treat.
Most of the calories come from the natural sugar in the mango puree. The American Heart Association recommends limiting added sugar to no more than 25 grams (6 teaspoons) per day for women and 36 grams (9 teaspoons) for men. With 16 grams of total sugar per bar, a single Mango-A-Go-Go is well within these limits.
Source of Fiber
Each Mango-A-Go-Go bar provides 2 grams of dietary fiber – about 8% of your recommended daily value. Fiber plays an important role in digestive health, gut bacteria balance, cholesterol levels, and weight management. Most Americans fall short on their daily fiber needs, so the fiber in this frozen snack is an added advantage.
No Added Sugars
The 16 grams of sugar in Mango-A-Go-Go bars all come naturally from the mango puree. There are no added sugars like juice concentrates, corn syrup, honey, or cane sugar.
Limiting added sugars is recommended to help reduce the risk of obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and fatty liver disease. The lack of added sugars makes Mango-A-Go-Go a smarter choice than many ice creams or frozen fruit bars.
Ingredients from Natural Sources
The ingredient list for Mango-A-Go-Go bars is reassuringly short and full of natural, recognizable foods. With just mangos, sugar, water, fruit pectin, citric acid, and natural flavors, there are no chemical preservatives or artificial ingredients.
This means you can feel good about what you’re putting in your body when you eat a Mango-A-Go-Go bar. The simpler, more natural ingredient list is nutritionally superior to many over-processed frozen desserts.
Potential Benefits of Mango-A-Go-Go Bars
Beyond the straightforward nutritional content, eating Mango-A-Go-Go bars may also provide some additional health perks.
Antioxidants from Mangos
Mangos are rich sources of antioxidants, including vitamin C, vitamin A, and plant compounds like quercetin, astragalin, and mangiferin. Antioxidants help combat oxidative stress and inflammation in the body, which are linked to chronic diseases.
Enjoying mangos in frozen treat form like Mango-A-Go-Go bars allows you to reap these antioxidant benefits in a tasty way.
Prebiotic Fiber for Digestion
The fiber in Mango-A-Go-Go bars, provided by the fruit pectin, may act as a prebiotic. Prebiotics are types of fiber that feed the good bacteria in your gut microbiome. A healthy gut microbiome supports good digestion, immunity, and overall health.
More Nutritious than Some Desserts
While Mango-A-Go-Go bars are still considered a “sometimes food” dessert, they are nutritionally superior to items like ice cream, frozen yogurt, or gelato. The generous serving of real mango fruit provides more essential nutrients and health-promoting compounds than these other sweeter treats.
Naturally Sweetened Over Candy
Reaching for a Mango-A-Go-Go bar can help satisfy a sweet tooth in a better way than candy or other junk food. You get a sweet flavor from the natural mango puree without excess empty calories, preservatives, and artificial ingredients.
Potential Downsides of Eating Mango-A-Go-Go Bars
While Mango-A-Go-Go bars do have some nutritional upside, there are a few potential downsides to consider:
High in Natural Sugar
Even though the sugar content comes from the mango puree instead of added sugars, 16 grams is still a high amount for a single serving. For people watching their sugar intake, the bars could lead to excess consumption.
Lacks Protein and Healthy Fats
With no protein or fat in Mango-A-Go-Go bars, they don’t offer complete balanced nutrition for a snack or mini meal. Pairing them with a source of filling protein or healthy fats would improve the nutritional quality.
Low in Micronutrients
Besides the antioxidants from the mangos, Mango-A-Go-Go bars are not high in other vitamins or minerals. While the vitamin C content is decent at 14% DV, levels of iron, calcium, potassium and other nutrients are low.
Can Cause Sugar Crashes
The quick digesting simple sugars in the bars may lead to an energy crash soon after eating. Balancing the bars out with protein, fat or complex carbs can help prevent crashes.
Easy to Over-Consume
With their sweet flavor and portable size, it’s easy to overindulge and eat too many Mango-A-Go-Go bars in one sitting. Practicing portion control is important.
Nutrition Comparison to Other Frozen Fruit Bars
How does Mango-A-Go-Go nutrition stack up against other popular frozen fruit bars?
Here’s a comparison of a 2.2 oz Mango-A-Go-Go bar versus other frozen bar options:
| Frozen Dessert | Calories | Sugar (g) | Protein (g) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mango-A-Go-Go | 70 | 16 | 0 |
| Fudgsicle | 80 | 11 | 1 |
| Creamsicle | 60 | 9 | 1 |
| Outshine Fruit Bar | 60 | 13 | 0 |
Mango-A-Go-Go bars are on the lower end for calories but on the higher side for sugar compared to traditional ice cream bars. The all-fruit Outshine bar is the most similar nutritionally with slightly less sugar. Mango-A-Go-Go bars stand out for having 0 grams of protein compared to modest amounts in other frozen bars.
The Verdict on Mango-A-Go-Go Bars
So, what’s the final word on these popular mango frozen bars?
Overall, Mango-A-Go-Go bars can be part of a healthy diet when enjoyed in moderation. The low calorie, fat-free, and high fiber content are nutritional benefits compared to many desserts. You also get antioxidants from the real mango fruit, and no artificial additives.
However, it’s best to keep portions of these sweet treats small due to the high natural sugar content. Pair Mango-A-Go-Go bars with protein sources like nuts or dairy for a more balanced, satisfying snack. And limit yourself to just one bar at a time rather than going overboard.
While not a health food, Mango-A-Go-Go bars are a fine choice for an occasional sweet snack or dessert. Just be mindful of portions and enjoy as part of an otherwise nutrient-rich diet.
Tips for Buying and Enjoying Mango-A-Go-Go Bars
Ready to enjoy some mango frozen fun? Here are some tips for selecting and savoring Mango-A-Go-Go bars:
Check the Ingredients
Be sure to read the ingredient label and choose products that contain just fruit puree, pectin, citric acid, and natural flavors. Avoid any with added sugars or artificial additives.
Watch the Serving Size
Stick to a single 2.2 oz bar as one serving. Don’t let grabbing “just one more” turn into eating half a box.
Try Different Flavors
While the original mango flavor is delicious, Mango-A-Go-Go bars now come in other options like strawberry, pineapple, and lemonade. Mix up the flavors to keep things interesting.
Add Some Protein or Fat
For more balanced nutrition, enjoy your Mango-A-Go-Go bar along with nuts, seeds, cheese, Greek yogurt, or another protein source.
Savor Slowly
Don’t devour in two bites! Savor each lick to enjoy all that refreshing, tropical flavor.
Store Properly
Keep Mango-A-Go-Go bars frozen until ready to eat. Store any unused bars in a sealed container to prevent freezer burn.
Avoid Meal Replacement
The bars shouldn’t replace actual fruit servings or become a meal substitute due to their lack of protein. Enjoy as a treat, not a dietary staple.
Incorporate Mango-A-Go-Go Bars Into a Healthy Lifestyle
While enjoying the occasional Mango-A-Go-Go bar, you can take other steps to maintain your health and well-being:
Eat Plenty of Fruits and Veggies
Make most of your diet comprised of nutritious whole foods like fresh produce, whole grains, lean proteins, dairy, nuts and seeds.
Stay Active
Engage in regular exercise like cardio, strength training and flexibility workouts. Being active helps manage calories and promotes good health.
Drink More Water
Hydrate with plenty of water instead of sugary drinks like juice, pop, and sweetened coffee and tea beverages.
Manage Your Sweet Tooth
Satisfy cravings for something sweet with options like fruit, dark chocolate, yogurt, or other treats in moderation instead of everyday indulgences.
Read Labels
Be ingredient-savvy when buying packaged foods. Opt for less processed items with short lists of recognizable whole food ingredients.
Don’t Go Overboard
While occasional treats like Mango-A-Go-Go bars are fine, don’t let them become a daily habit. Most of your calories should come from wholesome nourishing foods.
The Takeaway on Mango-A-Go-Go Bars
Mango-A-Go-Go bars can be part of a healthy lifestyle when enjoyed responsibly. While they are low calorie and fat free, the high sugar content requires portion control. Enjoy the refreshing, fruity flavor of these frozen treats in moderation alongside an otherwise nutrient-rich diet and active lifestyle for the best results.
