Drawing inspiration from an ancient snack with origins in dynastic Egypt, Illinois-based conglomerate Kraft Foods makes and sells rolls of pastry filled with fig paste called fig rolls through its Nabisco subsidiary. The snack is trademarked as Fig Newtons. They are available in the original recipe as well as whole wheat, fat free, strawberry, raspberry and mini-sized varieties. Due to the Fig Newton's manufacturing and marketing as a fruit-based soft cookie, some people consider Fig Newtons as providing some health benefits. Ultimately, there aren't many.
Fiber
Fig Newtons are perhaps best known for their dietary fiber, which is provided primarily by the fig paste. Also known as roughage, dietary fiber is instrumental in preventing digestion problems such as constipation. The fiber also protects against certain chronic illnesses and medical conditions, such as hypertension, or high blood pressure, heart disease, high cholesterol, colon cancer and diabetes. Most Fig Newton variants offer a gram of dietary fiber per serving, although the highest amount you can get is 2 g from the Whole Wheat Fig and Fig Mini versions.
Cholesterol and Fat
Fig Newtons are a cholesterol-free product, meaning they help in averting the increase of the substance. People concerned about the fat content of the snack can go for the appropriately named Fat Free Fig version. A low level or absence of cholesterol and fats helps in preventing cardiovascular problems.
Drawbacks
The other Fig Newton varieties contain a considerable amount of fat, peaking at 3 g per serving for the Fig Minis. Also, Fig Newtons contain considerable amounts of sugar, salt and carbohydrates, a fact that makes them no different than several other types of cookies or sweets, soft drinks and cereals.
Misnomer
Also, people concerned about the amount of dietary fiber in their Fig Newtons should avoid the strawberry ones. Indeed, they really should not be branded Fig Newtons since they contain no figs at all and, as a result, have zero fiber to offer.
References
- NabiscoWorld: Fig Newtons; Original Fig Nutritional Facts
- NabiscoWorld: Fig Newtons; Fig Fat Free Nutritional Facts
- NabiscoWorld: Fig Newtons; Fig 100 Percent Whole Grain Nutritional Facts
- NabiscoWorld: Fig Newtons; Strawberry Snack 'N Seal Nutritional Facts
- NabiscoWorld: Fig Newtons; Raspberry Nutritional Facts
- NabiscoWorld: Fig Newtons; Fig Minis Nutritional Facts
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