Healthy Fruit Chews

Fruit is a healthy addition to your diet, as it contains fiber, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. It is best to eat a variety of fruit, especially of different colors, to obtain the most nutrients. While fruit chews may provide some benefits, they don't necessarily provide the same benefits as a piece of fruit. Different varieties of fruit chews contain different types and amounts of beneficial nutrients.

Fruit Leathers

Fruit leathers, which are generally made from pureed fruit without added sugar, are usually a healthier choice than fruit chews and fruit snacks, which generally contain minimal fruit, added sugar and artificial additives. Read the labels and choose fruit leather varieties that do not have added sugar or additives, and that are full of fruit; some varieties have fruit flavor and juice instead of real fruit. Some healthy brands include Stretch Island Fruit Leathers, Natural Value Fruit Leathers and Archer Farms Organic Fruit Strips.

Dried Fruit

Try simple dried fruit instead of fruit snacks. Dried fruit are simply dehydrated pieces of fruit, such as berries, peaches and plums, that contain all the fiber and nutrients of the fruit. Choose varieties that do not have added sugar, or dehydrate your own with a dehydrator or in the oven. These are easy snacks to eat on their own or add to trail mixes, cereal or yogurt.

Homemade Fruit Chews

For the healthiest fruit chews, make your own. Puree about 2 cups of one or a combination of fruits in a blender or food processor until it turns into a pulp. Spread the puree into a thin layer onto fruit roll sheets for a dehydrator and dry them for 4 to 8 hours at 135 degrees F. The time will vary, depending on the amount of moisture in the puree. If you do not own a dehydrator, you can make them in the oven instead. In this case, heat them at 150 degrees F.

Warning

Avoid kid's fruit snacks, fruit rolls and fruit chews which contain added sugar and additives. One commercially available kid's fruit chew is an example of the lack of health value found in these snacks; a 5.4-oz. serving of this fruit chew contains 90 calories and 13 g of sugar. The only fruit it contain is fruit juice concentrate; it also contains partially hydrogenated oil, a variety of sugars and artificial flavors and colors.