John Myers
Fruit puree in soft plastic drinking bags, so-called Quetschies, are considered a healthy snack on the go. Many parents like to buy colorful bags for their mostly younger children: they can hold the squash by themselves and use the suction attachment to drink it without choking or spilling the puree.
Quetschie manufacturers often advertise with phrases such as “no added sugar” and “real, original taste”. But most fruit purees are not particularly healthy.
More sugar than Coke
Most Quetschies are 100 percent fruit. But a look at the nutritional value table shows that there is often more sugar in fruit puree than in cola. In contrast to the fizzy drink, it is natural fructose, but the so-called fructose is converted to fat in the liver and can lead to obesity (obesity) and fatty liver.
Fruit puree can overwhelm the intestines
After drinking, the fruit puree quickly gets into the intestines because of its pulpy consistency. In small children, the digestive organ can quickly be overwhelmed. Possible consequences are abdominal pain, diarrhea, and flatulence.
Tooth decay: higher risk from squeezes?
Quetschies can contribute to the development of tooth decay:
- Some manufacturers add fruit acid to the fruit puree, such as lemon juice concentrate, so that the squeezed cheese can be kept for as long as possible. But the acid can reduce the pH of saliva, making tooth enamel more susceptible to decay.
- According to some nutritionists (ecotrophologists) and doctors, the drinking attachment encourages children to suckle. As a result, the fruit puree stays in the mouth longer and washes around the teeth – this also increases the risk of tooth decay.
The manufacturers are obviously aware of the increased risk of tooth decay. On the packaging, they point out that children should not be left to suckle unsupervised and that they should prevent them from constantly sucking on the squish. The Hipp company even recommends feeding the quetschie with a spoon.
Less vitamin C than in fresh fruit
Although quetches are mostly made from pure fruit, they often contain less vitamin C than the fresh fruit itself. This vitamin is sensitive to light and heat. How much vitamin C a Quetschie contains depends on the age of the fruit, the way it is processed, and how long the Quetschie has been on the shelf.
Quetschies: High prices, lots of waste
Compared to fruit puree from a jar and fresh fruit, quetschies have other disadvantages:
- Price: They are often significantly more expensive: in a market sample, quetschies cost up to three times as much.
- Quantity: They are often consumed much faster, which can increase consumption.
- Waste: There is more waste, even if many Quetschie manufacturers pay attention to particularly environmentally friendly and recyclable packaging materials.
