Are Outshine Fruit Bars Healthy (Nutrition Pros and Cons)?
In this blog post, I’ll review whether Outshine Fruit Bars are healthy, discuss this product’s nutrition pros and cons, and suggest some better options.
Outshine Fruit Bars Facts
Outshine Fruit Bars are frozen treats known for their fruit-based flavors and refreshing taste. Nestlé, a multinational food and beverage company based in Switzerland, makes the bars.
Outshine Fruit Bars are part of a range of snacks designed for consumers looking for a healthier alternative to traditional ice cream bars. They’re marketed as a healthy snack free from high-fructose corn syrup and made with fruit purees without too much sugar.
They contain real fruit and have lower calorie counts than some of the regular frozen treats. Other products in the range are fruit and yogurt smoothies and frozen fruit pops.
The nutrition label and ingredients may vary slightly depending on the specific flavor of Outshine Fruit Bars.
Generally, they are gluten-free, free from high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), GMO-free, and most of the flavors are plant-based. The bars contain between 60 and 110 calories per serving, depending on the flavor variation. Some of them are fat-free or low in saturated fats.
Outshine Fruit Bars are available in the following flavors:
- Creamy Coconut
- Grape
- Lemon
- Lime
- Mango
- Mango Frozen Fruit Bars with Tajín®
- No Sugar Added Strawberry
- Peach
- Pineapple
- Pomegranate
- Raspberry
- Strawberry
- Strawberry, Pineapple, Grape & Tangerine
- Tangerine
- Watermelon
Besides the No Sugar Added Strawberry, all the flavor variants contain fruit, cane sugar, natural flavors and colors, and various additives.
The No Sugar Added Strawberry variation is sweetened with sorbitol, sucralose, and acesulfame potassium. The Creamy Coconut variation is the only flavor that contains dairy cream and skim milk. It also has coconut and coconut cream.
Outshine Fruit Bars Ingredients
Outshine Fruit Bars are listed on the company website as GMO-free, gluten-free, and free from high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) and artificial flavors and colors, and most of the flavor variations are plant-based.
Let’s explore the main ingredients in these bars and how they can potentially affect your health.
Fruit Juice Concentrate
Fruit juice concentrate is processed fruit from natural sources but with the water, pulp, and skin removed.
The processing usually removes fiber from the fruit but retains some nutritional value. Since some Outshine Fruit Bars contain fruit pulp, the products may contain some fiber.
It is important to note that, although this is a relatively natural ingredient, fruit juice concentrate generally has higher fructose levels and is still a processed product.
Eating fresh, whole natural fruit is a far healthier option than consuming fruit juice concentrate.
Cane Sugar
Cane sugar is a processed product made with sugar cane. This type of sugar is slightly less processed than granulated sugar, which is usually made from sugar beets.
If you consume it in moderation, cane sugar has some health benefits: it contains small amounts of antioxidants and trace minerals and is a good energy source.
However, overconsumption of added sugars can cause health problems, including obesity, diabetes, dental problems, and even heart disease.
Natural Flavors
There is a conflict in food labeling because there is no official way to classify natural flavors. This means that processed food manufacturers can describe any food as natural flavoring.
Since some so-called “natural” flavors are produced using high heat and toxic solvents, it’s impossible to know whether these ingredients are safe.
Ascorbic Acid
Ascorbic acid is a lab-produced synthetic form of Vitamin C, an essential vitamin. Your body cannot produce this vital vitamin by itself; you must get it through your diet or supplementation.
Vitamin C boosts immunity, helps moderate blood pressure, and improves iron absorption.
To ensure you get enough Vitamin C, eat fruits and vegetables like pineapple, bell peppers, cauliflower, broccoli, kale, cantaloupe, citrus fruits, and kiwi.
Guar Gum and Xanthan Gum
Some of the additives in Outshine Fruit Bars are guar gum and xanthan gum. Both are thickening agents.
Guar gum, also known as guaran, is extracted from guar beans. The fiber in it can help lower cholesterol and blood sugar, but some people experience digestive issues when they consume it.
Xanthan gum can be synthetically created or created through bacterial fermentation. The FDA classified xanthan gum as a safe additive, but it can also cause digestive issues, especially when too much is consumed.
Non-Nutritive Sweeteners
The No Sugar Added Strawberry variant of Outshine Fruit Bars contains sorbitol, sucralose, and acesulfame potassium, all non-nutritive sweeteners with potential health risks.
Sorbitol
Sorbitol is a sugar alcohol. Food manufacturers use it as a sweetener for sugar-free products like chewing gum, candies, and some diet foods. Although it occurs naturally in fruits like apples, pears, and peaches, it is often mass-manufactured from glucose commercially.
Excessive consumption of sorbitol can have adverse health effects. Its laxative effect is well-known, leading to gastrointestinal issues such as bloating, gas, and diarrhea, particularly when consumed in large amounts. For some individuals, even moderate intake of sorbitol can trigger digestive discomfort.
Sucralose
Your body can’t metabolize sucralose, a highly processed and chlorinated sweetener. If you consume it regularly, this ingredient can cause toxicity over time. Over time, sucralose can harm your gut microbiome and cause inflammation, leading to obesity and diabetes.
Acesulfame Potassium
Acesulfame potassium is a highly controversial chemical sweetener. Many health-conscious people avoid it because studies like this suggest that acesulfame potassium may be carcinogenic.
Although the FDA has approved acesulfame potassium as a food additive, the organization has strict recommendations on how much of this ingredient is healthy for human consumption. If you choose to include non-nutritive sweeteners in your diet, it’s best to avoid using them long-term and to use them in moderation.
Nutrition Pros
Outshine Fruit Bars may be healthier than regular ice cream bars because they don’t contain high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) or artificial flavors.
They are also gluten-free, and some flavor variations are low in calories. These popsicles may be an option for people who would like an occasional frozen treat.
These healthy popsicles do have a relatively simple ingredient list including real fruit juice and can be part of a healthy diet in moderation (assuming none of the ingredients make you feel sick).
Nutrition Cons
Some Outshine Fruit Bars contain as much as 17 grams of sugar, of which 12 grams can be added sugar. Even though the bars contain real fruit, the fruits are processed, which may affect nutritional value.
The bars contain additives like guar gum and xanthan gum that can cause digestive problems in some people. They are low in dietary fiber and also contain citric acid.
The sugar-free variation is sweetened with non-nutritive sweeteners, making it unsuitable for many health-conscious people. The Creamy Coconut variation contains dairy, so it’s unsuitable for people who are lactose intolerant or choose to be dairy-free.
Outshine Nutrition FAQs
Regular Outshine Fruit Bars contain between 12 and 17 grams of sugar per serving, depending on the flavor variation.
The No Sugar Added Strawberry variant of Outshine Fruit Bars contains sorbitol, sucralose, and acesulfame potassium, all non-nutritive sweeteners.
Outshine Fruit Bars do not contain artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. However, they contain other additives with potential health risks, like guar gum, which can cause digestive problems in some people. It’s healthier to choose natural real fruit or a piece of ripe fruit.
The Outshine Fruit Bars website does not specify the actual fruit content in any of its bars. Although the company emphasizes using real fruit juice concentrate in all variations and fruit pulp in some flavor variations, the exact fruit content is not listed.
It’s important to note that fruit concentrates can lack some of the natural flavor and nutritional benefits found in whole fruits or fruit puree. These bars, despite their real fruit ingredients, should not replace fresh fruit as part of a balanced diet.
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Conclusions
Outshine Fruit Bars may be slightly healthier than some regular ice cream bars, but the bars contain added sugar, non-nutritive sweeteners, and other ingredients like gums. The added sugar can have an adverse effect on health, and some of the additives can cause digestive problems.
While Outshine Bars can be enjoyed as an occasional treat, you can also make your own frozen treats at home. Here’s a recipe for healthy Mango popsicles, or you can enjoy fruit in its natural form or in a smoothie. It’s delicious, cheaper, and made with only real foods.
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About the Author: Carrie Forrest has a master’s degree in public health with a specialty in nutrition. She is a top wellness and food blogger with over 5 million annual visitors to her site. Carrie has an incredible story of recovery from chronic illness and is passionate about helping other women transform their health. Send Carrie a message through her contact form.
Note: this post is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Please consult your healthcare provider for recommendations related to your individual situation.
