Q. How healthy are those fruit snacks being advertised during children's shows?

A. When it comes to processed fruit snacks, it is a good idea to ask, "Where's the fruit?"

Many children's snacks featuring fruit on their packages along with bright, kid-friendly designs contain little or no fruit. These "fruit" treats are not a substitute for the real thing.

Processed fruit snacks do not meet the requirements of a fruit serving, according to the food guide pyramid. They often contain as much sugar as candy does. They're not good sources of fiber and nutrients, the way fresh fruits are.

Parents may be drawn to these products because the packaging makes them sound healthier than candy. Often, the front of the package for processed fruit snacks will say: "Made with real fruit" or "contains real fruit juices." Manufacturers are not required to state how much real fruit is in a product that uses this claim. This means the product could contain just one grape or a drop of grape juice and be accurately labeled!

Even parents who read labels may have a hard time identifying actual fruit content and determining the amount of sugars. This is because added sweeteners are often listed under different names, such as corn syrup, fructose, dextrose, maltodextrin, maltose, honey, molasses and fruit juice concentrate.

A recent study conducted by the Prevention Institute looked at 37 products that contained words or images on their packaging related to fruit. They found 51 percent did not contain any fruit, despite packaging claims of "fruity," having "fruit flavors" and being labeled "berry."

Some 27 percent of the products contained fruit, but many of these were still high in added sugars; another 16 percent contained minimal amounts of fruit.

For example, the study noted that Fruit by the Foot, Fruit Roll-Ups and Fruit Gushers all have "strawberry" on their label along with the phrase, "fruit-flavored snacks." They list pear or grape from concentrate as the first ingredient (not strawberry). The second and third ingredients are sugar and corn syrup.

These products contain no fiber and get 50 percent of their calories from sugar.

This implies there isn't much real fruit present.

Choose fruit snacks that list fruit as the first ingredient. If more than one type of added sugar is listed, this is a red flag.

Fresh fruits should be eaten daily. Even so, your child can enjoy an occasional processed fruit snack.

Amy Tousman is a registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator. Hawai'i experts in traditional medicine, naturopathic medicine and diet take turns writing the Prescriptions column. Send questions to: Prescriptions, Island Life, The Advertiser, P.O. Box 3110, Honolulu, HI 96802; islandlife@honoluluadvertiser.com; or fax 535-8170. This column is not intended to provide medical advice.