There is an interesting article from blog.grasslandbeef.com about fruit leathers. I know many parents that give these to their children INSTEAD of fruit snacks but did you know that it's actually not that much better... read this...
With their healthy halo and claims of providing “half a serving of fruit” in each leather, many parents buy into the healthy appeal of these snacks. But the truth is, fruit leathers are not much better than candy bars when it comes to nutrition.
In fact, a single serving contains up to 14 grams of sugar (often in the form of corn syrup) and provides no protein or healthy fat. The result is a snack that will neither satisfy your child’s hunger, nor fulfill their need for nutrition. Rather, it is a food that encourages cravings for sweets, promotes blood sugar imbalances and could even set the stage for childhood diabetes and obesity.
Just as concerning as the sugar content is the fact that fruit leathers are typically made from fruits that are the most contaminated with pesticides – including apples, grapes, raspberries, cherries and strawberries.
Because children are still growing - and consume more pesticide residue than adults relative to their body weight – they are especially prone to the health risks of these chemicals.
Just as concerning as the sugar content is the fact that fruit leathers are typically made from fruits that are the most contaminated with pesticides – including apples, grapes, raspberries, cherries and strawberries.
Because children are still growing - and consume more pesticide residue than adults relative to their body weight – they are especially prone to the health risks of these chemicals.
BUT DONT WORRY!!! - The website offered a WONDERFUL recipe to make your own healthy fruit snacks.
Lemon-Raspberry Gummy Fruit Snacks (Pesticide-Free and Protein-Packed)
Using organic frozen berries and pure gelatin from grass-fed cows, these simple and delicious fruit treats are quick to whip up. Experiment with a variety of berries and citrus juices to suit your little one’s (and your own!) taste.
Ingredients
• 2/3 cup organic lemon juice (fresh or bottled from Santa Cruz or Lakewood)
• 1 ½ cups organic frozen raspberries (try Cascadian Farm)
• 5 Tbsp. grass-fed gelatin (try Great Lakes)
• 10-15 drops organic liquid stevia (to taste)
Using organic frozen berries and pure gelatin from grass-fed cows, these simple and delicious fruit treats are quick to whip up. Experiment with a variety of berries and citrus juices to suit your little one’s (and your own!) taste.
Ingredients
• 2/3 cup organic lemon juice (fresh or bottled from Santa Cruz or Lakewood)
• 1 ½ cups organic frozen raspberries (try Cascadian Farm)
• 5 Tbsp. grass-fed gelatin (try Great Lakes)
• 10-15 drops organic liquid stevia (to taste)
Instructions:
1. Add lemon juice and raspberries to a medium saucepan. Heat over medium heat.
2. Cook, stirring until simmering. Let cool slightly.
3. Pour the mixture into a blender (preferably a VitaMix or Blendtec) and blend until smooth. (NOTE: Raspberry seeds contain powerful phytonutrients that are liberated with high speed blending)
4. Add the gelatin and blend to combine fully. Adjust sweetness with stevia.
5. Pour gelatin-berry mixture into a 9x9 glass dish or candy molds. Refrigerate for 45 minutes to an hour.
6. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.
When it comes to keeping your family healthy, making small changes like this one will pay big dividends in your child’s long term health and your peace of mind.
2. Cook, stirring until simmering. Let cool slightly.
3. Pour the mixture into a blender (preferably a VitaMix or Blendtec) and blend until smooth. (NOTE: Raspberry seeds contain powerful phytonutrients that are liberated with high speed blending)
4. Add the gelatin and blend to combine fully. Adjust sweetness with stevia.
5. Pour gelatin-berry mixture into a 9x9 glass dish or candy molds. Refrigerate for 45 minutes to an hour.
6. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.
When it comes to keeping your family healthy, making small changes like this one will pay big dividends in your child’s long term health and your peace of mind.
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Picture from pintriedit.com - rejoicing in the present
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