The Whole Grain Pop-Tarts is marketed as a healthier alternative to traditional Kellogg’s Pop-Tarts. Is this just clever box design, or are Whole Grain Brown Sugar Cinnamon Kellogg’s Pop-Tarts really healthier than regular Kellogg’s Pop-Tarts? Nutritionally , the Whole Grain Kellogg’s Pop-Tarts are slightly healthier, and it’s not just because of the whole grain factor. If the kids insist on eating Kellogg’s Pop-Tarts, substitute them with the whole grain variety.
Whole Grain
The Whole Grain Brown Sugar Cinnamon Kellogg’s Pop-Tarts are made with whole wheat flour. The original flavor is made with “enriched” flour which is ablend of wheat flour and nutrient additives. The result is that the Whole Grain Brown Sugar Cinnamon Kellogg’s Pop-Tarts contain three grams of fiber, compared to less than one gram with the regular.
These three grams of fiber are an important addition to this convenient breakfast and snack food. When your kids grab a Whole Grain Brown Sugar Cinnamon Kellogg’s Pop-Tart on the way to soccer practice, parents you can ease a bit of guilt.
Taste
Because I can be a tricky mom when it comes to getting my step-children to eat better, I substituted the regular Pop-tarts with the Whole Grain Brown Sugar Cinnamon Kellogg’s Pop-Tarts. When even your tween son has no complaints about it, it must taste pretty good.
The Whole Grain Brown Sugar Cinnamon Kellogg’s Pop-Tarts is not as sweet as the traditional, but it does have an added flavor that comes with whole grains. If you are accustomed to eating whole wheat bread and other more natural and healthy foods, you would recognize this taste.
Ingredients
In addition to the whole wheat flour, the Whole Grain Pop-Tarts also have a couple of other ingredients not found in regular pop-tarts. This convenient and fast breakfast food also contains whole grain barley flour and chicory root.
Other ingredients include enriched flour, vegetable oil, high fructose corn syrup, corn syrup solids, molasses, salt, leavening, wheat starch, cinnamon, cornstarch, caramel color, gelatin, soy, lecithin and nutritive additives.
Nutrition
Nutritionally, the whole grain version of this convenient breakfast food are only slightly better than the regular ones. The additional fiber is important, of course. They also have 200 calories compared to 210 calories in the regular ones.
Another difference is that the whole grain version of this convenient breakfast food contains 14 grams of sugar, compared to 16 grams in the regular version.
The whole grain version also has one additional gram of protein, with three grams.
One interesting difference is that the whole grain version contains four percent Folic Acid, and the regular contains 10 percent Folic Acid.
Similarities
Both have seven grams of fat, with two grams of saturated fat and zero grams of trans fat. Both varierties are cholesterol-free. They both contain 170mg of sodium.
They both contain 34 grams of carbohydrates.
As far as nutrition goes, both have 10 percent of the following vitamins and nutrients: Vitamin A, Iron, Riboflavin, Niacin. Vitamin B6 and Thiamin.
Varieties
Currently Kellogg’s also makes whole grain Strawberry Pop-tarts.
Price
A box of Kellogg’s Pop-tarts varies in price from store to store. It can very often be found on sale, when they can cost about $1.66 a box. Regular price for a box of 8 can cost up to $2.99.
Convenience
Kellogg’s Pop-tarts continue to be popular because of their convenience. They are okay for breakfast once in a while, but are not the best choice for a daily fast breakfast.
Allergens
The Whole Grain Pop-Tarts contains wheat and soy products. Also, if you are allergic to strawberries know that they make a strawberry variety as well.
Pregnant women should also note that the whole grain version does contain a trace amount of chicory. Chicory is one of the herbs that is best avoided while pregnant.
Availability
The whole grain version is a new product. If your local grocer does not carry them yet, look for them soon.
Sources:
Family taste test at home
Kellogg’s, http://www.kelloggs.com
Kellogg’s Product Box
