Is there such a thing as a healthy cookie?
Leading dietitian Melanie McGrice reviews Skinnybiks. And it's all good news.
I was asked to review some new gourmet soft-baked cookies that are now available to the public called ‘SkinnyBik’. They have been developed by an Australian Dietitian, Antigone Kouris, and claim to have 50% less sugar than regular cookies. Here are my thoughts on the ‘SkinnyBik’ cookie range…
Is there such a thing as a healthy cookie?
Nutrition
Skinny Bik claim that compared to other sweet biscuits, their cookies are lower in sugar, lower in fat (particularly saturated fat with no trans fats), lower in salt, have no artificial sweeteners or preservatives and are also rich in fibre and protein. The Nutrition Information Panel shows that these claims are true having only 1.6% saturated fat and 200mg sodium per 100g.
The cookies are also developed with portion control in mind. Each packaged serve provides you with 2 bite-sized cookies totalling only ~470kJ! That’s equivalent to the energy in a cup of low fat milk.
An added benefit with this cookie range is that it is also targeted for those with an irritable bowel or carbohydrate intolerances; these cookies are FODMAP friendly and all except the spelt cookie are gluten free as well.
Taste
SkinnyBik cookies come in 3 flavours:
1. Spelt, date and butterscotch cookies,
2. Lupin, cranberry and rose cookies,
3. Lupin, cocoa and dark choc chip cookies, and
A taste test around the office provided an overall favourable review. They are quite soft compared to the typical crunchiness or chewiness of an Anzac cookie. Overall they were quite pleasant to eat and came through with a nice hint of spice and sweetness.
My verdict
From a Dietitian’s point of view, these cookies tick all the boxes when it comes to providing a low fat, sugar and salt alternative to the sneaky biscuit snacks that come after dinner or accompany your cup of tea. Given that they also have such impressive protein content, I can see how they would actually be a great kilojoule controlled, high protein snack for a variety of my clients. If you feel that you need a healthier pick-me-up during the 3pm slump or if you’re looking for a new post-exercise snack, you may want to trial some SkinnyBik cookies for yourself.
