Annies and Natural vs. Free Sugars

We are all wanting to fuel our bodies with wholesome and delicious foods to get the most out of life. Annies have created a range of dried fruit strips, jerky and flats that contain 100% fruit. Nothing else.  While many dried-fruit manufacturers add sugar, preservatives, and other additives to keep product costs down, retain colour or to help the product last longer, Annies products only contain 100% air-dried fruit. And that’s a great thing for us and our future generations.

As defined by the World health Organisation (WHO), free sugars refer to “monosaccharides (such as glucose, fructose) and disaccharides (such as sucrose or table sugar) added to foods and drinks by the manufacturer, cook or consumer, and sugars naturally present in honey, syrups, fruit juices and fruit juice concentrates”. There is solid evidence that a high intake of free sugars leads to negative health outcomes and poor oral health¹.

In contrast, sugars naturally found (i.e. natural sugars) in wholesome foods such as fresh fruits, vegetables and dairy products are much better for our bodies. By creating products that are made from 100% fruit, Annies fruit products have been able to retain naturally occurring nutrients such as fibre and potassium.

Fibre is needed to support a healthy digestive system and regular bowel movements while potassium works with sodium to regulate blood pressure, fluid balance, muscle contraction and the transmission of nerve impulses. 

Dried fruit such as Annies fruit strips, jerky and flats are best enjoyed alongside other wholesome foods that protect our teeth. They are a great choice for both children and adults and the recommendation is to enjoy one-serve (which equates to about one handful), each day.

Here are some nutritious and delicious ideas:

• Handful of jerky or flats or 1 fruit flat + handful of nuts
• ½ cup Greek yoghurt topped with handful fruit jerky
• Carrot sticks + hummus + 1 fruit flat or handful of fruit jerky
• Crackers + cheese + handful fruit strips jerky or 1 fruit flat

Written by Emily Hope, a New Zealand Registered Nutritionist. You can find out more over at www.hopenutrition.org.nz.