Do You Know What's In a Fig Newton?

We all grew up thinking that fig newtons were a healthy snack, much better than eating oreos or chocolate chip cookies.  Well, think again.  Have you looked at the list of ingredients?  Here it is, in the order of the greatest percentage of  the product:  whole grain wheat flour, figs, sugar, corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup, soybean oil, soluble corn figer, partially hydrogenated cottonseed oil, oat fiber, salt, and trace amounts of milk products, artificial vanilla and whey.  It's full of toxic processed chemicals.

Don't be fooled by the words "whole grain".  A serving of 2 bars only contain 3 grams of fiber and much of that probably comes from the figs, not the whole grain.  Sugar:  You'll eat 13 grams of sugar (more than 3 teaspoons) in just 2 small fig newtons.  High fructose corn syrup:  This chemically refined sugar has been shown to cause more weight gain than regular sugar.  Even when eaten in moderation, it is said to be a major cause of heart disease, cancer, dementia and liver failure.  Some high fructose corn syrup is even contaminated with mercury.  Oil:  Soybean oil is cheap, and high in omega 6 fatty acids, which cause inflammation in the body, raise blood surgar and can promote the growth of cancer cells.  Partially hydrogenated cottonseed oil should be avoided at all costs.  Conventional cotton is loaded with deadly pesticides.

Sodium benzoate is a preservative found only in heavily processed foods.  The Mayo Clinic found that it may cause hyperactivity in kids and is dangerous when combined with Vitamin C.  Artificial vanilla is used in fig newtons instead of the real thing.  It is made from a greasy wood byproduct, petrochemical precursor gualacol.  Finally, fig newtons are packed with ingredients that are known to be genetically modified (GMO).  The parent company of fig newtons, Mondelez International, contributed nearly $400,000 to block GMO labels in California and Washington state.

Is the Newman's brand of fig newtons any better?  Only slightly.  They contain non organic corn syrup and natural flavors, but their list of ingredients isn't much better than the traditional fig newtons.

What should we eat instead?  Try sun dried organic figs, sugar free raw fig newtons, raw crunch bars, or homemade fig newtons, if you really have to have them.  Some fresh or dried figs and nuts is a good substitute, and far better for you.  Look at ingredient lists, and don't be fooled by words like "natural" or "whole wheat."  Look at the whole list, and steer clear of products with high fructose corn syrup and GMO's.