It is my belief that we all have a personal definition of “healthy”. Maybe that’s good since no one diet works for everyone. We are wonderfully unique human beings all made up of different cells, different genes, different personalities and manners of thought. So why shouldn’t our definitions of healthy be unique?
This question came about because I picked up a delicious cookie called “Nana’s”. If you have never heard of this product, it is a 3.5 oz cookie that is available in a variety of flavors. The two I picked up were the Double Chocolate Cookie and the Peanut Butter Cookie. A note from “Nana” can be found on the back that promotes nutrition and taste in her product. There are no refined sugars, no dairy, no hydrogenated oils, no cholesterol, no eggs, no trans fat, no GMO’s, no cane or beet products.
The product is fruit juice sweetened with all natural ingredients. Here is the list:
| Double Chocolate Cookie Ingredients: Vegan Friendly Organic wheat flour, fruit juices, rice dextrin’s, expeller press canola oil, chocolate chips, Dutched cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, natural flavors, and sea salt. |
The ingredients look good. Now what about the nutrition facts?
| Double Chocolate Cookie Nutrition: THIS IS FOR 1/2 A COOKIE. Servings per 1 package = 2 Calories: 210 Calories from fat: 90 Total fat: 10 g (15%) Saturated: 1 g (5%) Sodium: 190 mg Total Carbs: 29 g. Fiber 1 g. Sugars 13 g. Other Carbs: 15 g Protein: 3 g Vit. A = 0, Vit. C = 0, Calcium = 0, Iron 4% |
Is this a healthy cookie in your opinion?
By my definition, this is a cheat day treat. This cookie is too high in calories and sugar carbohydrates without the benefit of protein. If one should read all the promotional information touting the all natural, no trans fat, no this – no that and neglect to read that this ONE cookie actually serves TWO, then a quick 420 calories and 180 calories from fat is ingested. That’s a critical trade off for a meal of steamed fresh vegetables, 3 oz of fresh fish, and 1/4 cup of wild rice. The cookie most likely won’t stay with you as long either.
The cookie tastes wonderful and if you are aware of the serving size, then enjoy Nana’s soft, moist, tasty treat over that bakery mega muffin you might be eye balling. But don’t make this a substitute for a healthier meal option should one be available.
Nana’s is a major contributor for Generation Rescue and prevention of Autism. The company promotes awareness of Celiac Disease. To learn more go to HealthyCrowd and find out more.
Joanne
The cookie looks good but 210 calories, this is crazy!!
Joanne, I’ve an award for you waiting at my blog 🙂
Cheers,
Gera
Gera: I’m with you. Good cookie but too much on the calorie side. I’ll check my award. How exciting!
Nana cookies used to make a Sunflower cookie that I was in love with! It was so good and I think healthier than the other flavors. The cookies are huge so I would always cut them in half or quarters.
I definitely consider them a treat due to the added sugar content, but it’s better than a conventional chocolate chip cookie and yummier in my opinion 🙂
Pam: I think that the size of some of these products that promote them selves as healthy is the draw back. I’m not so sure everyone’s eyes cut to the serving size as they do immediately to the calorie and fat content.