Is Motts gummies healthy? A Deep Dive into the Nutritional Facts

October 13, 2025 •

3 min read

While Mott's fruit snacks contain fruit juice concentrates and added Vitamin C, they are primarily made of sugar and corn syrup. So, is Motts gummies healthy? The answer depends on understanding what’s really inside and how it fits into a balanced nutrition diet.

Quick Summary

Mott's gummies are fat-free and fortified with Vitamin C, but are primarily made of corn syrup and sugar, offering little fiber or whole-fruit nutrition despite having fruit juice concentrates.

Key Points

High Sugar Content: Mott's gummies are primarily made from corn syrup and sugar, with one variety being 40% sugar by weight, similar to candy.
Minimal Whole-Food Nutrients: Despite containing fruit juice concentrates, the high processing means they lack the fiber and other essential nutrients found in whole fruit.
Not a Healthy Snack Replacement: Nutritionists advise against viewing these as a substitute for real fruit due to their poor nutritional profile and low nutrient density.
Fortified with Vitamin C: While fortified with Vitamin C, this addition does not counteract the negative health impacts of the high sugar and processed ingredients.
Consume in Moderation: Mott's gummies are best considered an occasional treat, not a regular or healthy snack option for a balanced diet.

The Ingredients: Is It Truly Fruit?

When you look at a package of Mott's fruit-flavored snacks, the packaging and marketing suggest a healthy, fruit-filled treat. However, a closer look at the ingredients list reveals a different story. The primary ingredients are typically corn syrup, sugar, and modified corn starch. While they do contain pear, apple, and carrot juice concentrates, these are far from equivalent to whole fruits.

The Role of Juices and Concentrates

Fruit juice concentrates are a highly processed form of fruit where the water is removed. While they retain some flavor, they lose the crucial dietary fiber and many nutrients that whole fruits provide. The Centers for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) refers to these products as "phony fruit snacks," noting they are closer in composition to candy than actual fruit. The added Vitamin C, while a bonus, does not compensate for the overall lack of whole-food nutrition.

Nutritional Breakdown of Mott's Gummies

A single pouch of Mott's gummies, around 0.8 oz, typically contains 80 calories. They are fat-free and gluten-free, which may appeal to some consumers, but these characteristics do not equate to being healthy. A significant portion of the calorie content comes from sugar.

The Sugar Content: A Major Concern

The high sugar content is the most significant nutritional drawback. According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), one version of Mott's snacks is 40% sugar by weight, containing the equivalent of three teaspoons of sugar per serving. The number one ingredient is an added sugar, such as corn syrup. This level of sugar intake is a concern, especially for children. Excessive sugar consumption is linked to various health problems, including:

Tooth decay
Increased risk of obesity and Type 2 diabetes
Inflammatory issues and mood swings
Disruption of the stomach microbiome

The "Health Halo" of Fruit Snacks

Food companies have successfully created a "health halo" around fruit snacks, leading many parents to believe they are a better option than candy. The marketing highlights features like "made with real fruit juice" and "excellent source of Vitamin C". However, as pointed out by nutritionists, this processing strips the snacks of fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants found in whole fruit. The high sugar content can also be addictive, making it easy to overconsume.

Comparison: Mott's Gummies vs. Real Fruit vs. Gummy Candy


Feature	Mott's Gummies	Real Fruit (e.g., Strawberries)	Gummy Candy (e.g., Gummy Bears)
Primary Ingredients	Corn Syrup, Sugar, Juice Concentrates, Modified Corn Starch	Whole fruit, water, natural vitamins and fiber	Corn Syrup, Sugar, Gelatin, Artificial Flavors
Added Sugars	High, often listed as a primary ingredient	None	High
Fiber Content	Zero	High	Zero
Nutrients	Vitamin C added, but low in other essential nutrients	Rich in vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals	Minimal to none
Processing Level	Ultra-processed	Unprocessed or minimally processed	Highly processed
Conclusion	Treat, not health food	Nutrient-dense snack	Simple sugary treat

Healthier Snack Alternatives

If you're seeking truly nutritious options, consider these alternatives that offer more fiber, vitamins, and minerals without the high sugar load:

Whole Fruits: Apples, bananas, berries, and oranges are excellent choices. They provide natural sugars, fiber, and essential nutrients.
Dried Fruit: Plain, unsweetened dried fruit like raisins or apricots offers fiber and nutrients in a convenient form, but should be consumed in moderation due to concentrated sugars.
Yogurt with Berries: Plain Greek yogurt provides protein and probiotics, while berries add fiber and natural sweetness.
Veggies and Dip: Carrot sticks, cucumber slices, or bell pepper strips with hummus are crunchy and nutritious.
Homemade Fruit Snacks: Making your own fruit chews or leather with pureed fruit can eliminate added sugars and artificial ingredients.

Conclusion: The Bottom Line on Mott's Gummies

Ultimately, is Motts gummies healthy? The short answer is no, not in the same way that whole fruit or other nutrient-dense snacks are. While they are low in fat and fortified with some Vitamin C, their high sugar content and highly processed nature classify them more as a candy than a healthy dietary component. They should be treated as an occasional treat rather than a regular part of a balanced nutrition diet, especially for children. Prioritizing whole, unprocessed foods is the best strategy for optimal health.

Frequently Asked Questions

The main ingredients are corn syrup, sugar, and modified corn starch, along with various fruit juice concentrates like pear, apple, and carrot.

The sugar content is high. The Environmental Working Group found that one Mott's fruit snack product is 40% sugar by weight, equivalent to three teaspoons of sugar per serving.

Yes, they contain real fruit and vegetable juice concentrates, but these are not the same as whole fruits. The concentrates lack the dietary fiber and many nutrients found in unprocessed fruit.

Mott's gummies are made from highly refined ingredients like corn syrup, sugar, and modified starches, undergoing extensive processing that removes many of the natural benefits of whole fruit.

While Mott's gummies are often marketed as a healthier alternative, nutrition experts argue they are nutritionally very similar to candy, consisting mainly of sugar.

Better alternatives include whole fruits, plain yogurt with berries, vegetables with hummus, unsweetened applesauce, and plain dried fruit in moderation.

While the added Vitamin C is beneficial, it does not make up for the high sugar content and lack of other essential nutrients and fiber found in whole fruits.