Gift Shape Magazine as a Gift
Shape Magazine

Shape's Healthy Snack Awards 2009

Save Review Print
Rate This: 
 Avg: 5.00
1|2|3|4|5|6|7   |  

Close your eyes and picture a fridge and pantry stocked with yummy munchies that easily fit into a healthy diet. That's no food fantasy: It's the kitchen at the Shape offices. Over the past few months, a group of editors and readers have noshed their way through hundreds of new products and selected the 27 must eat treats of the year. As always, flavor and the satisfaction factor were major considerations, but we also made sure each product met our strict nutritional standards (see below). And to make it even easier for you to find the perfect snack, we split the finalists into three calorie categories: 100 or less, 150 or less, and 200 or less. Fill your cart with our picks and you'll always have a delicious winner on hand.

What Makes a Product a Shape Best-Snack Winner?
> 200 calories or less (except the mini meals)
> 0 grams of trans fat and no more than 3.5 grams of saturated fat
> No more than 400 milligrams of sodium (except mini meals)
> No high-fructose corn syrup
> Calorie-controlled portions, whole grains, little added sugar, and extra vitamins or minerals all got special consideration

Ratings & Reviews

Rate This: 
Avg 5.00
Showing 1 of 1   

4 Reviews
As a registered dietitian, I agree that four of your snack guidelines are appropriate but I am puzzled as to why high fructose corn syrup was singled out. HFCS and sugar have the same number of calories, nearly equal amounts of fructose and glucose and the body cannot tell the difference. Several published studies have shown that there is no difference in the way the body handles or reacts to fructose and glucose from HFCS vs. sugar nor can either be singled out as a cause of weight gain or health problems. Moderation in all sweeteners is the key. Neva Cochran, MS, RD, LD

Report Abuse

Neva - I understand that moderation is key but per Dr. Oz "The problem is that HCFS inhibits leptin secretion, so you never get the message that you’re full. And it never shuts off gherin, so, even though you have food in your stomach, you constantly get the message that you’re hungry." Obviously there are lots of arguments about the topic so I just say swear it off altogether since so many crappy foods are loaded with the stuff.

Report Abuse

In the quote you reference, Dr. Oz confuses research on “fructose” with “high fructose corn syrup”. Unfortunately this is fairly common.  “High fructose corn syrup” is a bit of a misnomer, as it is actually not significantly higher in fructose than regular table sugar. The American Medical Association did a thorough review of the research and concluded last year that, "Because the composition of HFCS and sucrose are so similar, particularly on absorption by the body, it appears unlikely that HFCS contributes more to obesity or other conditions than sucrose [table sugar]."  You can find all the scientific citations here, http://www.sweetsurprise.com/science-and-research

Report Abuse

The foods from the 2009 Snack Awards are delicious, I've nearly tried them all. I always eat a Jell-O With Antioxidants Raspberry Goji after dinner to satisfy my sweet tooth-without the guilt! The Kozy Shack Ready Grains are also amazing! I have them every morning for breakfast. They have a home-cooked taste and are very filling! Def some great recommendations here!!

Report Abuse

Write a Review

Special Features

Blackberry Yogurt Cheesecake Parfaits

Creamy Yogurt Cheesecake

Dark Chocolate Pudding Pie With Candy Cane Frozen Yogurt

Gorgonzola Burgers with Cucumber-Yogurt Sauce

Yogurt-Mint Marinated Chicken

Loading