Minibiscuits on the test bench

Cookies are always popular with children and many options are available in individual, practical bags to slip into the lunch box! What about their nutritional value? They are being put to the test this week!

Our analysis

27 choices of mini biscuits in individual bags were the subject of our analysis.

The portion of 1 sachet (between 24 and 39g) was used to compare the products. Each serving provides…

• Between 110 and 200 calories;
• Between 3.5 and 10g of lipids, including between 0.4 and 4.5g of saturated fat;
• Between 14 and 26g of carbohydrates;
• Between 0 and 3g of fiber;
• Between 6 and 13g of sugars;
• Between 1 and 3g of protein;
• Between 55 and 150mg of sodium.

The best choices

Mini ginger cookies Prevention of Leclerc are a good choice. They are among the least rich in saturated fat (0.5g) and the richest in fiber (2g). They also provide less lipids (5g) and sugars (8g) as well as more proteins (2g) than the average of the products evaluated. However, they contain slightly more sodium (100mg) than average. The ingredient list is simple, with whole oat flakes at the top of the list and few additives (soy lecithin and modified milk ingredients). The presence of ground chia seeds among the ingredients provides 0.5g of omega-3 per 30g sachet. Mini raspberry cookies from the same brand have similar nutritional value. The mini biscuits from the same brand which contain 70% cocoa dark chocolate chips are sweeter (9g) and/or richer in lipids (6g).

The biscuits Pokémon honey Christie are another good choice. These are the biscuits least rich in lipids (3.5g) and sugars (6g) in the test bench. They are also among the biscuits lowest in saturated fat (0.5g). They contain more fiber (2g) and less sodium (75mg) than average. However, they are slightly less rich in protein (1g) than average. The list of ingredients is short and contains whole grain wheat flour as well as few additives (e.g. soy lecithin, corn maltodextrin). Cocoa cookies from the same brand have similar nutritional value.

The mini bears with honey Compliments are also good choices. These biscuits are among the least rich in saturated fat (0.4g) and sugars (7g) and among the richest in protein (3g). They also provide less lipids (4.5g) and sodium (85g) than average. However, they contain slightly less fiber (1g) than average. The ingredient list contains whole wheat flour. Mini chocolate bears from the same brand do not have similar nutritional value. In fact, they are richer in lipids (6g), sugars (9g) and sodium (140mg).

The cubs with President’s Choice Honey complete the correct choices. They are among the least rich in saturated fat (0.4g) in the test. They also provide less lipids (5g) and sugars (8g) as well as more proteins (2g) than average. Their sodium content (90mg) is similar to average. However, they contain slightly less fiber (1g) than average. The ingredient list is short and contains whole wheat flour and few additives.

The worst choices

Soft mini biscuits Sara Lee Chocolate Chip Little Bites are the worst choices in our test bench. These biscuits are the richest in lipids (10g), saturated fat (4.5g) and sugars (13g). They also provide less fiber (1g) than average. However, their protein content is higher (2g) than average and their sodium content (90mg) is similar to average. The list of ingredients is long and includes modified palm oil shortening, artificial flavor as well as several additives (e.g.: glycerin, mono- and diglycerides, modified milk ingredients, soy lecithin, xanthan gum, etc. ). The same brand’s Little Bites Party Cake Soft Mini Cookies have similar nutritional value. On the other hand, the list of ingredients contains more additives and numerous colorings (e.g.: allura red, sunshine yellow FCF, tartrazine, erythrosine, brilliant blue FCF). Studies suggest that certain dyes (e.g. tartrazine, FCF sunshine yellow, allura red) may have an effect on hyperactivity or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children.

The cookies Oreo mini de Christieoffered in a small 25g format, contain 10g of sugars per serving and more sodium than average (115mg). They are also less rich in fiber and protein than average. Although they contain little saturated fat (1.5g), their list of ingredients is not very appealing with sugar at the top of the list and the presence of modified palm oil and artificial flavor.

THE Dare bear paw cookies are also among the sweetest (i.e. 12g of sugar per 35g sachet for the chocolate chip and oat variety and 10g for those with molasses). Too bad, because their saturated fat content is average, but their sodium content exceeds the average value. They also contain modified palm oil.

THE Mmm mini vanilla flavored cookies with chocolate drizzles from Mr. Cookies provide more lipids (6g), saturated fats (3.5g) and sugars (9g) as well as less fiber (1g) than average. However, these are the biscuits with the lowest sodium content (55mg) on ​​the test bench. The list of ingredients does not contain whole grains, but has few additives (e.g. soy lecithin) and we appreciate the absence of palm oil. Chocolate chip cookies from the same brand have more nutritional value. In fact, they are less rich in lipids (4.5g) and sugars (7g).

My advice

The best cookie will be a homemade cookie made from whole oats and without additives or palm oil. Are you short on time? Whole grain dry ingredient blends are available on the market. Discover in particular my cookie mixes here: https://www.isabellehuot.com/collections/melanges-a-biscuits-et-muffins/products/melange-a-biscuits.

Low-sweet yogurt and fresh fruit remain better dessert options for children’s lunch boxes in any case!