Top Ranked Girl Scout Cookies For Your Health Ranked By Ingredients, Calories, Saturated Fats, and Sugars.
Everyone Loves Girl Scout Cookies! Girl Scout cookies hold a special place in Americans’ hearts (and stomachs!) everywhere. These beloved treats have become an iconic tradition cherished by cookie lovers and supporters of the Girl Scouts alike. But what exactly makes people clamor for these goodies year after year, and which are the best ones for your waistline and health?
We will answer all these compelling questions:
- What are the healthiest Girl Scout cookies?
- What are the Ingredients in Girl Scout Cookies?
- Which Girl Scout cookies are lowest in Saturated Fat
- Which Girl Scout cookie is the lowest in sugar?
- Which Girl Scout cookies have the most calories?
Everyone Loves Girl Scout Cookies!
Girl Scout cookies hold a special place in Americans’ hearts (and stomachs!) everywhere. These beloved treats have become an iconic tradition cherished by cookie lovers and supporters of the Girl Scouts alike. But what exactly makes people clamor for these goodies year after year?
Mint Thins, Tagalongs, and Samoas Memories in the Making
For many, enjoying classic flavors like Mint Thins, Tagalongs, and Samoas brings fond memories of growing up enjoying these favorites. New varieties also bring excitement, appealing to diverse tastes and dietary needs. Of course, the cookies taste great – their sweet deliciousness makes them hard to resist!
Comprehensive Guide on Girl Scout Cookies
This comprehensive guide delves into the nutritional profiles of various Girl Scout cookies to help you make informed decisions about your indulgences. We provide detailed information on each cookie’s calorie content, fat composition, sugar levels, and more, allowing you to prioritize your favorites while maintaining a balanced diet.
Understanding Girl Scout Cookies Nutrition
Sitting down, eating, and enjoying Girl Scout cookies is easy, but being mindful of their nutritional content is essential. While these cookies may not be healthy, incorporating them into a balanced diet is possible with moderation and awareness of their nutritional profiles.
Little Brownie Bakers made the cookies in these charts for the Girl Scouts. The Girl Scouts use several different bakeries, so the nutritional information and ingredients may be different in the ones you buy. Little Brownie Bakers indicate that “All our cookies have:
- NO High-Fructose Corn Syrup
- NO Partially Hydrogenated Oils (PHOs)
- Zero Grams of Trans Fat per Serving
- RSPO Certified (Mass Balance) Palm Oil
- Halal Certification”
Comparing Girl Scout Cookie Nutrition Facts
Girl Scout cookies are a beloved treat enjoyed by many, but it’s essential to be mindful of their nutritional content. While these cookies may not be healthy foods, incorporating them into a balanced diet is possible with moderation and awareness of their nutritional profiles.
Bet You Can’t Eat Just One!
When it comes to Girl Scout cookies, don’t feel compelled to eat the entire recommended serving size listed. For example, while the serving size for Trefoils may be 5 cookies, you don’t have to eat that many in one sitting. Instead, consider limiting yourself to just 1 or 2 cookies at a time – which can satisfy your craving while better controlling calories, fats, and added sugars.
The per-cookie nutrition calculations make it easy to choose how many to enjoy responsibly. One Do-si-dos cookie only has 53 calories compared to over 160 for an entire serving! So, instead of viewing serving-size suggestions as a free pass to overindulge, use the per-cookie data to make informed choices for your health.
Allow yourself the enjoyment of that one sublime Thin Mint without sabotaging your nutritional goals by consuming 4 times what your body truly desires. Moderation is key when it comes to decadent Girl Scout cookies!
Chart of The Healthiest Girl Scout Cookies In Order:
| Calories | Saturated Fat | Added Sugars | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cookie Variety | Serving Size | Per Serving | Per Cookie | Per Serving | Per Cookie | Per Serving | Per Cookie |
| Trefoils | 5 cookies | 160 | 32 | 2.5g | 0.5g | 6g | 1.2g |
| Thin Mints | 4 cookies | 160 | 40 | 5g | 1.25g | 9g | 2.25g |
| Do-si-dos | 3 cookies | 160 | 53 | 2g | 0.67g | 10g | 3.3g |
| Lemon-Ups | 2 cookies | 140 | 70 | 2g | 1g | 7g | 3.5g |
| Tagalongs | 2 cookies | 140 | 70 | 4g | 2g | 7g | 3.5g |
| Toffee-tastic | 2 cookies | 140 | 70 | 4g | 2g | 7g | 3.5g |
| Girl Scout S’mores | 2 cookies | 150 | 75 | 3.5g | 1.75g | 10g | 5g |
| Adventure+fuls | 2 cookies | 120-130 | 60-65 | 3.5-4.5g | 1.75-2.25g | 9-11g | 4.5-5.5g |
| Samoas | 2 cookies | 140-150 | 70-75 | 5-6g | 2.5-3g | 10-12g | 5-6g |
Trefoils: The Healthiest Options
Trefoils cookies stand out as the healthiest options among Girl Scout cookies. With relatively low-calorie counts, minimal saturated fat, and added sugars, they offer a satisfying treat without excessive indulgence.
Thin Mints: A Close Contender
Thin Mints emerge as a close contender for healthiness, boasting low-calorie content and comparable levels of saturated fat and added sugars to our top picks.
Do-si-dos in Moderation
While still enjoyable, Do-si-dos cookies contain slightly higher levels of added sugars and calories, making them moderate choices for occasional indulgence.
Lemon-Ups: Balancing Flavor and Nutrition
Lemon-ups balance flavor and nutrition with moderate calorie counts and sugar levels. Enjoy these cookies in moderation to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Tagalongs and Toffee-tastic: Decadent Delights
Tagalongs and Toffee-tastic cookies provide indulgent flavors but have higher calorie and saturated fat content. Reserve these treats for special occasions.
Girl Scout S’mores: Deciphering Decadence
Girl Scout S’mores cookies are tempted by their enticing flavors, but their calorie and saturated fat content warrant mindful consumption to avoid overindulgence.
Adventurefuls, Occasional Indulgences
Adventurefuls cookies offer unique flavors but are higher in sugar content. Enjoy them sparingly as occasional treats.
Samoas: The Ultimate Indulgence
Samoas are the ultimate indulgence among Girl Scout cookies, with high sugar content and calorie counts. Reserve these for special occasions and enjoy them in moderation.
Pros and Cons Of Girl Scout Cookies
| Cookie | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Trefoils | ~Wheat flour base ~Lower in sugar ~Protein from dairy | ~Contains artificial flavors |
| Thin Mints | ~Cocoa provides antioxidants ~Lower in some sugar | ~Contains some artificial flavors ~Palm oil |
| Do-si-dos | – Whole grain oats ~Peanut butter protein ~Lower sugar | ~Palm oil |
| Lemon-Ups | ~Wheat flour ~Tangy lemon flavor | – Higher sugar content ~Palm oil |
| Tagalongs | ~Peanut butter protein | ~Higher in saturated fats ~Contains artificial flavors |
| Toffee-tastic | ~Unique toffee flavor | ~Higher sugar and fats ~Palm oil |
| Girl Scout S’mores | ~Includes graham flour ~Chocolate provides antioxidants | ~High in sugar ~Palm oil |
| Adventurefuls | ~Chocolate and cocoa provide antioxidants | ~Very high in added sugars ~Unhealthy fats |
| Samoas | ~Coconut provides some nutritional benefits | ~Highest in sugars ~Lots of saturated fats |
Girl Scout Cookies Comparison of Ingredients
| Cookie Variety | Ingredients |
| Trefoils | Enriched flour (wheat flour, niacin, iron, thiamin, riboflavin, folic acid), Soybean and palm oil, Sugar, Contains 2% or less of brown sugar (sugar, molasses), Sweetened condensed milk (milk, sugar), Buttermilk, Salt, Natural and artificial flavors, Baking soda, Soy lecithin |
| Thin Mints | Enriched flour (wheat flour, niacin, iron, thiamin, riboflavin, folic acid), Sugar, Vegetable oil (palm kernel, palm, soybean), Cocoa, Caramel Color, Contains 2% or less of cocoa processed with alkali, Invert sugar, Leavening (baking soda, monocalcium phosphate), Cornstarch, Salt, Sorbitan tristearate, Soy lecithin |
| Do-si-dos | Enriched flour (wheat flour, niacin, iron, thiamin, riboflavin, folic acid), Sugar, Whole grain oats, Soybean and palm oil, Peanut butter (peanuts, hydrogenated palm oil), Dextrose, Invert sugar, Contains 2% or less of whey, Salt, Leavening (baking soda, monocalcium phosphate), Cornstarch, Natural flavors, Soy lecithin |
| LemonUps | Enriched flour (wheat flour, niacin, iron, thiamin, riboflavin, folic acid), Sugar, Soybean, and palm oil, Contains 2% or less of natural flavors, Salt, Leavening (baking soda, sodium acid pyrophosphate), Annatto extract color, Soy lecithin, Citric acid, Whey protein concentrate, Propylene glycol alginate, Fructose, Malic acid |
| Tagalongs | Peanut butter (peanuts, sugar, hydrogenated palm oil, salt), Sugar, Enriched flour (wheat flour, niacin, iron, thiamin, riboflavin, folic acid), Vegetable oil (palm kernel, palm, soybean), Cocoa, Contains 2% or less of invert sugar, Cornstarch, Salt, Sorbitan tristearate, Soy lecithin, Leavening (baking soda, monocalcium phosphate), Natural flavors, Whey, Partially defatted peanut flour |
| Toffee-tastic | Rice flour, Tapioca starch, Sugar, Butter (cream, salt), Palm oil, Brown rice flour, Butter toffee bits (sugar, butter [cream, salt], corn syrup, soy lecithin, salt), Invert sugar, Contains 2% or less of salt, Soy Lecithin, Xanthan gum, Baking soda |
| Girl Scout Sʼmores | Graham flour, Sugar, Palm oil, Wheat flour, Cane sugar, Cornstarch, Cocoa, Contains 2% or less of invert sugar, Chocolate, Molasses, Salt, Natural flavors, Baking soda, Cocoa processed with alkali, Soy lecithin, Whey |
| Adventurefuls | Sugar, Enriched flour (wheat flour, niacin, iron, thiamin, riboflavin, folic acid), Vegetable oils (soybean, palm, palm kernel), Cocoa processed with alkali, Semisweet chocolate (sugar, chocolate, cocoa butter, soy lecithin, vanilla extract), Cocoa, Nonfat milk, Milk, Salt, Soy lecithin, Baking soda, Natural and artificial flavors, Paprika extract (color). |
| Samoas | Sugar, Vegetable oil (palm kernel, palm, soybean), Enriched flour (wheat flour, niacin, iron, thiamin, riboflavin, folic acid), Corn syrup, Coconut, Sweetened condensed milk (milk, sugar), Contains 2% or less of sorbitol, Cocoa, Glycerin, Invert sugar, Cocoa processed with alkali, Cornstarch, Salt, Caramel color, Dextrose, Natural and artificial flavors, Soy lecithin, Sorbitan tristearate, Leavening (baking soda, monocalcium phosphate), Carrageenan. |
Tips for Balanced Enjoyment of Girl Scout Cookies
To enjoy Girl Scout cookies while maintaining a balanced diet, follow these tips:
Healthy Eating Tips
- Focus on an overall healthy diet beyond just cookies
- Avoid labeling foods as “off limits.
- Practice mindful, intentional eating.
Buying Tips
- Only buy your favorite cookie varieties
- Buy fewer boxes to avoid overindulgence
- Consider donating money in lieu of purchasing cookies.
Portion Control Tips
- Make note of the suggested serving sizes, but stick to 1 or 2
- Monitor overall calorie intake and balance accordingly
- Gluten-free does not equal more healthy
The keys are moderation, balancing calories, controlling portions to suggested serving sizes, and incorporating cookies into an otherwise healthy diet.
Conclusion: Moderation is Key
In conclusion, Girl Scout cookies can be enjoyed as part of a balanced diet when consumed in moderation. By understanding their nutritional profiles and following sensible eating habits, you can indulge in these treats guilt-free while prioritizing your health and well-being.
Support The Girl Scouts
Girl Scout cookies mean more than just tasty snacks. The cookie program allows Girl Scouts to learn essential skills like goal-setting, decision-making, money management, and customer service by running their own micro businesses. So, by purchasing cookies, customers directly support the development of young leaders while also funding local Girl Scout troop activities.
In the end, people buy Girl Scout cookies for varied personal reasons – from craving the yummy cookies themselves to encouraging young entrepreneurship and supporting female empowerment. Nonetheless, the popularity endures because these cookies represent an American tradition that does good while tasting great.
