The quest for healthy Pop-Tarts
Pop-Tarts have been a popular and deliciously convenient breakfast fueling college students for over 50 years. Although Pop-Tarts claim to be a nutritious breakfast with “a good source of seven vitamins and minerals” and made with “real fruit,” they unfortunately provide little nutrition and are packed with refined sugar and artificial ingredients.
A pack of two Pop-Tarts contains up to 420 calories and 38 grams of sugar, depending on the flavor. Instead of filling up on sugar and other unhealthy ingredients, it’s possible to experience the delicious taste of Pop-Tarts for half the calories, while also providing your body with over 20 grams of protein.
I decided to take three popular Pop-Tart flavors and use Quest Bars and other healthier ingredients to recreate the classic college student breakfast.
Ingredients:
1. Frosted strawberry
Base: Vanilla almond Quest bar
Filling: Sugar-free strawberry jelly
Topping: Sugar-free vanilla frosting and rainbow sprinkles
2. Hot fudge sundae
Base: Chocolate brownie Quest bar
Filling: Sugar-free vanilla frosting
Topping: Sugar-free vanilla frosting and rainbow sprinkles
3. Chocolate peanut butter
Base: Peanut-butter supreme Quest bar
Filling: Chocolate PB2 peanut butter powder
Topping: Chocolate PB2 peanut butter powder and chocolate sprinkles
Directions:
1. Microwave two Quest bars on high for 20 seconds.
2. Using a rolling pin, flatten the Quest bars until they are large enough to hold the desired amount of filling.
3. Top one flattened Quest bar with 1 to 1½ tablespoons of filling.
4. Place the second Quest bar on top of the filling and pinch the edges together using a fork or your fingers.
5. Bake the pastry in the oven for four minutes at 350 degrees.
6. After four minutes, allow the pastry to cool for two minutes.
7. Once cooled, top the pastry with 1 to 1½ tablespoons of topping and a teaspoon of sprinkles.
Each pastry contains two servings, with each containing approximately 200 calories, less than eight grams of sugar, and over 20 grams of protein. These simple substitutions go a long way in adding more nutrients to your favorite breakfast pastry.
