Thinking back to my grade school days there is one treat that often made it into my lunch box – Fruit Roll-Ups. Wow, it has been forever since I’ve had one.
Of course they are pretty far from fitting into a real food diet. The ingredient list of the strawberry version indicates the presence of corn syrup, dried corn syrup, sugar and partially hydrogenated oil. Bummer. They were so good.
I was browsing the aisles of Target the other night trying to find a few minimally processed snack foods to have in the hotel room along with the fresh fruit I bought at the local farmer’s market on Saturday.
These just happened to catch my eye. Archer Farms Organic Real Fruit Strips.
Anyone else come across these? They had several different flavors, but I chose the pomegranate. They are so tasty! There are 45 calories in each strip along with 1g of fiber and 9g of sugar. The ingredient list is more appealing as well – organic apple puree concentrate, organic apple juice concentrate, organic pomegranate juice concentrate, natural flavor (whatever that is), citrus pectin, vegetable and fruit juice (carrot, blueberry) for color, organic lemon juice concentrate.
They aren’t perfect, but definitely better than many other snacks out there. So I just wanted to share this quick review if anyone used to heart Fruit Roll-Ups as much as I did.
I’ve heard there are some recipes around for making your own. Anyone ever try that and have a good recipe?
Those roll ups look delicious, actually! Lucky you for finding them! I have also heard of people making their own. Hmmm, guess we need to google that!
I actually ran across these about a year ago when I was looking for a minimally processed snack to travel with and I tried a couple different flavors (though I now forget which ones!)but I agree, they weren’t perfect but tasted pretty good and were a lot better than most snacks.
I’ve wondered about making my own fruit strips also. We have a cheap dehydrator and it came with some recipes to make fruit strips and I always meant to try making some but haven’t gotten around to it yet.
Thanks for the comment yesterday. It is so hard to develop this relationship with food. Mine is completely messed up, but I’ll die trying to fix it. I appreciate the support, thank you.
We have actually been pleasantly surprised by many of the Archer Farms items.
I love these! I haven’t tried the Pom flavor yet, but maybe I’ll get that one next!
I found these too-that too in the breakfast cereal aisle!! Tried the mango and strawberry with my son-quite nice!
yum! I used to love fruit by the foot. I guess this is a better choice though huh?? 😉
These look great! I’ve never seen them before. What a nice low-calorie, healthy treat! Good find!
Having a fruit roll-up in my packed lunch was the best. I remember we used to wrap them around our fingers and suck on them (kinda gross to think of now). I eat the Fiberful fruit strips from Trader Joes sometimes- they have 8g sugar and 6g fiber…
As a mom of a picky 5 yr old, those aren’t roll-ups. They’re fruit leather. 😉 You’d be surprised at how important form can be to a stubborn boy. Fortunately, he has recently decided that he FINALLY likes fruit leather – and these look GOOD! Sadly, there’s not a Target for a hundred miles of here (BIG sigh), so I might have to stock up when we actually do make it to a Target. Thanks for the review, Lori!
I prefer these now than when I was younger! At that time, I wanted Jello pudding cups more. 😎 Target’s Archer Farms line has some really great products that I need to try out but one that I have tried and really liked is their 7 Grain Blend Rice – great as a side or in a rice soup.
I love fruit leather! I havn’t had it in forever. 🙂
Jamie – Yeah, I ended up with several recipes. Ha! I was hoping someone would have a favorite. They are very tasty! 🙂
lesley – Cool! I had no idea they had been around so long, but then again I haven’t been here all that much either. 🙂
Denise – No problem. So glad you posted it. I struggle with mine as well. We each seem to have our own unique journey with it.
kat – I’m learning the more I try them the more I like. Lots of good stuff.
Emily – So glad some others have found out about them!
Sweta – The mango sounds good. I’ll have to give that one a whirl.
Amy – Totally forgot about Fruit by the Foot!
Reeni – Definitely good for a quick snack.
gastroanthropologist – Oh gosh, we used to do that too! I need to look those up the next time I’m in a Trader Joes. Unfortunately that isn’t very often. 🙁 None around here.
cathy – Oh that is hilarious! Well maybe not for you, but I do stand corrected. 🙂 So sorry about your Target situation. It is definitely a place I look forward to coming back to when I’m in the US.
Tangled Noodle – Oh the pudding cups, those were so great too! That rice sounds great. I’ll keep my eye out for it.
Melissa – Thanks for your comment. This variety is really great!
I’ve never been a huge fan of fruit leather or the old fruit roll-ups. I never liked how they stuck to my teeth. But I have a sample of the pomegranate flavor that I want to check out.
Fruit roll-ups…those were the days! Now I’m feeling rather nostalgic for those chewy strips as I have never seen them, or anything like them, here in Italy. The fruit strips, along with granola bars, would make perfect snack items on our hikes.
I second the comment that the Fiberful fruit bars from TJ’s are great – 6 g of fiber each! They have psyllium in them but you don’t notice it. Your pomegranate one looks delicious.