Is it really fruit?

When I see all the boxes lined up in the grocery store declaring these little chemical concoctions as fruit snacks, it makes me cringe.  I mean, does anyone REALLY believe these are anything like eating a piece of fruit?  In our house these are considered a dessert or a treat (not a snack).  I found these Tasty Brand Organic Fruit Snacks at Costco (around $12 I think) and they are really yummy.  They still have sugar, but it’s not derived from GMO’s, and there is no High Fructose Corn Syrup, Artificial Colors, or Artificial Flavors.  I think it’s a good compromise.  But, it’s still not the same thing as eating a piece of fruit.

Look at the health claims on the front of the box of Welch’s.  “Made with real fruit”  “Fat Free”  “100% of Vitamin C”  — Too bad real apples don’t have labels, can you imagine all the health claims they could make?!   Here’s what’s inside:

The second, third, and fourth ingredient are all likely derived from GMO corn or beets.  There is a laundry list of synthetic chemicals that can be included in “artificial flavors”, and then don’t forget the Red #40 and Blue #1.  But, hey, they’re fat free!  WOO-HOO!  Okay sorry, a little sarcasm there…..

In all of my spare time…. (because I have so much.  No, not really.)  I try to make homemade versions of “processed foods.”  I found this recipe for fruit snacks from Thank Your Body and gave it a try.  Unfortunately, it was a fail.  Mine didn’t even look the same as hers, so maybe I did something wrong.  I used Cherries, but I’m going to try strawberries next time.  I’ll keep you posted how they turn out.  I might try these homemade Sour Fruit Snacks first though.  I love the idea of finding ways to use Grass Fed Gelatin because it provides so many great health benefits (including helping kids go to sleep at night)!

Here’s how my first attempt turned out.  I started with frozen cherries, orange juice and a little lemon juice.  They just tasted a little “off” and they were a bit too gummy for me.  The good news is, it literally took me 5 minutes to do, so I don’t mind trying again.