McKee Foods Corporation in Collegedale, Tennessee, produces Little Debbie Zebra Cakes in a variety of sizes and flavors. Original Zebra Cakes combine yellow cake with white and black frosting mimicking zebra stripes. Newer flavors include Chocolate Zebra Cakes, Strawberry Zebra Cakes and Orange Zebra Cakes. All have a relatively high amount of calories, fat, carbohydrates and sodium.
Calories
Original Zebra Cakes contain 330 calories per serving. However, the serving size listed on the box equals two cakes. Therefore, each cake contains 165 calories. Chocolate Zebra Cakes contain 190 calories per cake, while Strawberry Zebra Cakes contain 210 calories per cake. Zebra Cakes also come in a Big Snack size, or Vend Pack, each of which contains 460 calories.
Fat
The amount of fat contained in each serving depends on the specific flavor and serving size. For original Zebra Cakes, each cake contains 4 g of saturated fat and 7.5 g of total fat. Chocolate Zebra cakes contain 4.5 g of saturated fat and 9.0 g total fat. Big Snack Zebra Cakes contain 5 g of saturated fat, or 22 g total fat. This equals about 34 percent of the average daily recommended limit for saturated fat. According the MayoClinic.com, saturated fat increases your risk of heart disease by increasing your levels of LDL or "bad" cholesterol.
Carbohydrates
Most of the calories in Zebra Cakes come from carbohydrates in the form of refined white sugar. Each original Zebra cake contains 16 g of sugar, and 23.5 g total carbohydrates. Chocolate Zebra Cakes contain 18 g sugar and 26 g total carbohydrates. Big Snack versions contain almost triple that amount, or about 63 g total carbohydrates, 43 g of which come from refined white sugar. According to the Harvard School of Public Health, the best sources of carbohydrates include whole grains, vegetables, fruits and beans. The easily digested refined carbohydrates from highly processed foods such as Zebra Cakes, may contribute to weight gain, interfere with weight loss and promote diabetes and heart disease.
Sodium
Original Zebra Cakes contain 80 mg sodium. Chocolate Zebra Cakes contain 150 mg sodium per cake and Big Snack Zebra Cakes contain 220 mg sodium per cake. The 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans as well as the Institute of Medicine recommend adults limit sodium intake to no more than 1,500 mg to 2,300 mg per day. These cakes provide about 10 percent of that amount per serving. High-sodium diets correlate with an increase in blood pressure and increase your risk for heart disease, stroke, and osteoporosis.
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