Sharkies – Organic Fruit Chews – Review

We were introduced to the Sharkies brand while at the Summer Fancy Food show, and they made a “splash” while we made our rounds looking for snacks that were organic and without wheat. Yes, they are Organic Certified. Yes, they have All Natural Ingredients. And yes, they do not have glutose, wheat, nuts, or dyes, and their sugar content falls on the low end of fruit snacks.  Plus they have a cool original mascot, and the shapes of the fruit snacks are simple yet compelling.  There are a few  products here to speak about, the Adult Sports Chews and the Kids’ Snacks (which include the fruit snacks and Smart Twists with Omega 3 and 1 serving of Fruit). 

The kids love these snacks, both the shark-shaped fruit snacks and the Smart Twists, and we adults enjoy them, as well.  These are the types of snacks you do not mind feeding your children, as they really are a healthy option in a very crowded market.  The two biggest challenges for me in liking a product in this market are consistency and taste.  Sharkies comes through on both counts, with a nice consistency that is not too gummy and tastes that are natural–a big positive.  The Berry Surf of the Smart Twists tastes like berry, and my favorite of the fruit snacks are the Berry Blasters with Berry Blast, making my mouth water for the Energy Sports Chews.  See a pattern here?  While the Berry holds the top spot, all the flavors are good!

I have been eating the Sharkies Organic Energy Sports Chews before going to our martial arts practice sessions; they are a perfect pick-me-up before practicing with the naturally occurring Electrolytes.  My son has been eating them, as well, before practice and enjoys them, too.  The complex carboydrates help keep the sugar crash away, and I can say it has worked for us.

The kids LOVE the Sharkies snacks, and I will be honest here, they often argue and/or cry for the last one in the bag.  I will be very honest with you, I try to eat them when none of the kids are around, either, so I do not have to share.  They now have become a staple in my kids’ lunchboxes as well as in our cabinet.  Go out and treat yourself and your kids (as well as your mind) to a product that not only tastes great, but is also good for you in a market of candies and over-sugared fruit snacks.

At Sharkies we want the best for our bodies and minds and we believe you do too! Our goal is to provide healthy, great tasting fuel that fits an active lifestyle. A handful of Sharkies is an easy and delicious way to give your body what it needs for optimal performance. 

Our organic fruit chews are packed with real fruit juice, whole grains, and carbohydrates for an energy boost that lasts. Naturally occuring minerals and electrolytes replace those during vigorous activities like running, soccer, biking, hiking or snowboarding. 

Set no limits to your goals and reach them with a bag of Sharkies, the organic way! 

Sharkies are Gluten Free, Wheat Free and Vegetarian. 

What are naturally occurring Electrolytes? 

The naturally occurring electrolytes in Sharkies® come from the potassium in the fruit juice and the sodium in the rice and water. These are not the commercial electrolytes currently used in most products claiming to have electrolytes. The source of most of those electrolytes is sodium citrate and potassium phosphate. This makes them commercially processed and generally low quality.

Aren’t Sharkies just candy?  

No, although children can and will consume Sharkies as a “better for you” snack, none of the sugars in Sharkies are refined and half the product is brown rice syrup giving it complex carbohydrates for sustained energy. This added to the simple sugars from the fruit and organic cane make Sharkies a functional, healthy alternative to candy or other fruit snacks. Unlike candy, Sharkies don’t contain high fructose corn syrup, sucrose, or further refined sugar.

 
What’s the difference between Sharkies and jelly beans? 

No gelatin and no refined sugars are found in Sharkies. Complex carbohydrates make up half of the ingredients, which keep children and athletes from “sugar crashing” and sustains energy. 

Why are they called Organic Energy Sports Chews? What is the energy source? 

The grape juice, which is a simple sugar, offers a quick burst of energy and the brown rice syrup is a complex carbohydrate, which offers longer sustained energy. The electrolytes allow for the absorption of water in the cells and keep your body hydrated. 

What is black carrot? 

It’s really more of a dark purple color but called a black carrot. It is the raw material of Turnip salgum juice a natural color used in Sharkies.