Are pop tarts healthy?

Pop tarts are one of the most popular snacks in the US. Both the adults and the children enjoy taking them in different situations. For instance, children pack them when going to school, and take them after school. Children get excited upon seeing the package of pop tarts. They are also ideal for brunch or even breakfast. Pop tarts are manufactured by Kellogg’s Company, a leading company in the manufacture of cereals and related products. The company distributes pop tarts mainly in the US, Canada, the UK, and New Zealand.  

This article is going to explore pop tarts.   

Are pop tarts healthy?

Pop tarts are healthy if they are taken in moderation. This is because they contain a high amount of sugars, calories, and fat.  It should be noted that pop tarts contain a lot of carbs. Carbs are converted into sugars. This can pose a health challenge to an individual as they can lead to an increase in weight. Some experts go as far as saying that over-consumption of pop tarts can lead to type 2 diabetes or liver disease.

If you want to take pop tarts, there are a few things that you can do in order to address the health concerns. To start with, you can think about preparing your own pop tarts rather than relying on the products from the store. Through this, you are going to be preparing your own pop tarts the way you like. Again, preparing your own food means that you are going to prepare it in conformity to your special needs, a health condition for instance. 

Through preparing your own pop tarts, you are not going to use the junk ingredients that commercial companies use. As a matter of fact, you are going to use natural ingredients that are going to be healthy for you. You are also going to use additives which will be nutritious and healthy. 

Preparing your own pop tarts can be time-consuming. You may also have a difficulty in sourcing the ingredients that are required for the entire process. You can as well buy them from the store or order them online. However, there are a few things that you should note. Pop tarts contain little fiber. Now that fiber is a very important component if the diet, you can supplement them with other products in the market. Lastly, the preservatives that are used in pop tarts are a source of concern.

Pop tarts nutritional facts

As we normally do on this blog, let’s find out the nutritional facts of a few Pop tarts products:

Pop tarts flavors

In the last section, we have seen a few nutritional profile of just a few Pop tarts available in the market, but, how many Pop tarts flavors are really on the market right now? You can find Pop tarts of:

• Frosted Apple Fritter Pop-Tarts
• Frosted Boston Creme Donut Pop-Tarts
• Frosted Grape Pop-Tarts
• Pop-Tarts Eggo Frosted Maple Flavor
• Strawberry Banana Pop-Tarts
• Banana Crème Pie Pop-Tarts
• Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Pop-Tarts
• Froot Loops Pop-Tarts
• Frosted Blueberry Pop-Tarts
• Frosted Brown Sugar Cinnamon Pop-Tarts
• Frosted Cherry Pop-Tarts
• Frosted Chocolate Chip Pop-Tarts
• Frosted Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Pop-Tarts
• Frosted Chocolate Fudge Pop-Tarts
• Frosted Chocolatey Churro Pop-Tarts
• Frosted Cinnamon Roll Pop-Tarts
• Frosted Confetti Cupcake Pop-Tarts
• Frosted Cookies & Crème Pop-Tarts
• Frosted Hot Fudge Sundae Pop-Tarts
• Frosted Raspberry Pop-Tarts
• Frosted S’Mores Pop-Tarts
• Frosted Strawberry Pop-Tarts
• Frosted Wildlicious Wild Berry Pop-Tarts
• Lemon Crème Pie Pop-Tarts
• Peach Cobbler Pop-Tarts
• Salted Caramel Pretzel Pop-Tarts
• Simply Frosted Harvest Strawberry Pop-Tarts
• Unfrosted Blueberry Pop-Tarts
• Unfrosted Brown Sugar Cinnamon Pop-Tarts
• Unfrosted Strawberry Pop-Tarts
• Brown Sugar Cinnamon Pop-Tarts
• Frosted Blueberry Pop-Tarts
• Frosted Chocolatey Fudge Pop-Tarts
• Frosted Confetti Cake Pop-Tarts
• Strawberry Pop-Tarts
• Appletastic Pop-Tarts
• Blueberrific Pop-Tarts

Are pop tarts halal?

According to the Kellogg’s Consumers Affairs Representative, the pop tarts are not halal-certified. The company admitted its awareness to the need to offer products which are halal. However, the company has been very transparent in its scope and it does not choose to mislead anyone about what it can do. In an email response to a question about halal, the procurement of the ingredients that are used in the manufacture of pop tarts, and the manufacturing process, is not halal-certified.

The consumer should note that the response “not halal-certified” does not mean that it is halal or haram. It simply means that the company has not invested in the time and resources which is required in order to evaluate if a food is halal or haram. Consumers will have to wait a little longer before they get clarification on this information. 

Are pop tarts gluten free?

Simply answered, pop tarts are not gluten free. The Celiac Disease Foundation states that the consumption of gluten could lead to damage of the small intestines. The intake of gluten triggers the immune system to attack the small intestines. This disease is mainly a genetic disease. So, if your family lineage suffers from this, it is time you checked out your use of wheat products.

People with celiac disease and gluten intolerance would be concerned to know if the pop tarts are gluten free or not. Pop tarts are not gluten free because they are made from wheat flour. As a matter of fact, wheat flour is the key ingredient that is used in the manufacture of pop tarts.  

Are pop tarts ravioli?

The Britannica Dictionary defines ravioli as pasta with the shape of a square and is filled with cheese, meat, and vegetables. The Cambridge Dictionary adds that the ravioli is cooked with boiling water. But a better definition is given by Wikipedia which defines ravioli as two layers of dough, thin dough, which are sandwiched within the filling. One of the greatest debates in the current generation is if pop tarts are ravioli.

Using the above definitions as the guideline, pop tarts are indeed ravioli. This is because they are made of dough, and baked, and they have a filling inside. Pop tarts are pies which are made from biscuit dough and have toppings which could include apple pie, cheese, or ham. However, a little difference between pop tarts and ravioli is that pop tarts do have frosting and may not have sauce.  

Pop tarts ingredients

Taking the Pop Tarts Frosted Chocotastic as example, this are the ingredients:

• Wheat flour
• sugar
• dextrose
• palm oil
• glucose syrup
• milk whey powder
• fat reduced cocoa powder
• humectant (glycerol)
• invert sugar syrup
• wheat starch
• salt, raising agents (sodium hydrogen carbonate, E450)
• beef gelatin
• dried egg white
• starch
• stabiliser (xanthan gum)
• emulsifier (soy lecithin)
• brown rice syrup
• niacin
• iron
• thiamin
• riboflavin
• folic acid.

Are pop tarts dairy free?

The simple answer; Depending the poptart you choose. A milk allergy can pose a big health problem to you. It will mean that you avoid milk and the products that are associated with milk. Some of the variety for pop tarts do contain dairy, and others do not. Dairy-free pop tarts varieties include wild berry, cherry, apple strudel, brown sugar cinnamon, regular strawberry, and frosted strawberry.

Dairy-free pop tarts list

• Berry
• Cherry
• Apple strudel
• Brown sugar cinnamon
• Regular strawberry
• Frosted strawberry

Are pop tarts kosher?

The simple answer; YES, but not all of them. Kosher diets give the rare combination of the physical and spiritual needs. In other words, with the Kosher diet, you can nourish your body with nutrients, and at the same time, nourish your body spiritually through following the Jewish traditions. Kelloggs has certified kosher “K” and it does not contain gelatin. Pop tarts are therefore kosher-certified and they are ideal for someone following the Jewish traditions.

Conclusion

You should take pop tarts for a treat, but if you take them every day for breakfast, then you are not making a healthy choice. It is also a good snack for a highly active person. Overall, the pop tarts is only good if it is taken sparingly.