Finding the Answer to: What's the Healthiest Brand of Applesauce?

Did you know that many commercial applesauce products are packed with significant amounts of added sugar, potentially undermining their inherent health benefits? Sifting through the options to find out what's the healthiest brand of applesauce? requires careful label reading and a clear understanding of what makes a product truly nutritious.

Quick Summary

The healthiest applesauce is typically unsweetened, organic, and contains minimal ingredients. Consumers should prioritize products without added sugar, artificial flavors, or unnecessary additives by carefully checking the ingredient label. The best choice depends on individual priorities, such as taste and organic certification.

Key Points

• Choose Unsweetened Varieties: Prioritize applesauce labeled 'unsweetened' or 'no sugar added' to avoid high levels of added sugars and excess calories.

• Look for Organic: Opt for organic brands, as apples are frequently exposed to pesticides, and organic certification minimizes this exposure.

• Check the Ingredient List: The healthiest options have the shortest ingredient lists, ideally containing only apples and water, with ascorbic acid being an acceptable preservative.

• Consider Added Benefits: Applesauce made with the peels included offers higher fiber and antioxidant content, though this is more common in homemade versions.

• Evaluate Personal Preferences: The "best" brand ultimately depends on individual taste preferences for flavor and texture, so experimenting with reputable unsweetened options is key.

• Homemade Offers Control: For the most nutritious applesauce, consider making it at home, as this gives you complete control over ingredients and preparation.

The Healthiest Applesauce Criteria

Identifying the healthiest applesauce brand is not about finding a single winner, but rather understanding the criteria that define a nutritious product. The best choice depends on what you value most in your diet. Here are the key factors to consider when standing in the grocery aisle:

• No Added Sugar: This is the most important rule. Many brands add high-fructose corn syrup or other sweeteners, dramatically increasing the calorie and sugar content. The sweetest varieties often taste cloyingly artificial. Opt for products explicitly labeled "unsweetened" or "no sugar added." The natural sweetness of apples is sufficient for a delicious taste.
• Organic Ingredients: Apples consistently rank on the Environmental Working Group's "Dirty Dozen" list for pesticide contamination. Choosing organic applesauce minimizes your exposure to these chemicals, which is especially important for children and those with sensitivities. Leading organic brands are widely available.
• Minimal Ingredients: The best applesauce should contain only apples, and perhaps water. Some brands add ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) to prevent browning, which is a benign and even beneficial additive. A simple, short ingredient list is a sign of a high-quality product.
• Natural Flavor and Color: Look for products free of artificial colors and flavors. Commercial applesauce marketed to kids, in particular, may contain unnecessary additives. The color should be naturally derived from the apples used, ranging from pale yellow to a darker reddish-brown.
• Inclusion of Peels: While less common in commercial products, applesauce made with the peels included contains higher amounts of fiber and antioxidants. If you are making applesauce at home, keeping some of the peels on is an easy way to boost the nutritional profile.

Contenders for the Healthiest Applesauce Title

While personal preference for taste and texture plays a role, several brands consistently rank highly in terms of healthfulness due to their simple ingredients and lack of added sugar. Taste tests often highlight robust, natural apple flavors in these products, proving that added sugar isn't necessary for a delicious snack.

• Wegman's Organic Applesauce: A winner in a recent taste test, this brand offers a robust, cooked-apple flavor with a pleasant texture. It contains only organic apples, water, and ascorbic acid.
• Santa Cruz Organic: Praised for its distinctly sour and real apple flavor, this organic option has a simple ingredient list. While sometimes pricier, it delivers a high-quality taste.
• Mott's No Sugar Added Organic: A widely available and trusted brand, this product is made with organic apples and no added sugar. Reviewers appreciate its smooth consistency and authentic apple taste.
• GoGo squeeZ Apple-Apple (Unsweetened): Popular for its convenient pouches, this unsweetened option is great for on-the-go snacking. The texture is thicker than traditional jarred sauce, and it contains no gluten, nuts, or dairy.
• Musselman's Unsweetened: This classic brand's unsweetened variety is made from 100% American-grown apples and has a clean, simple flavor profile without any added sugar.

Applesauce Comparison Table

Brand	Added Sugar	Organic	Key Ingredients	Notable Feature
Wegman's Organic	No	Yes	Apples, water, ascorbic acid	Robust, complex flavor
Mott's No Sugar Added Organic	No	Yes	Organic apples, ascorbic acid	Widely available, smooth texture
Santa Cruz Organic	No	Yes	Organic apples, water	Strong, tart apple flavor
GoGo squeeZ Apple-Apple	No	Yes (some varieties)	Apples, apple purée	Convenient, portable pouches
Musselman's Unsweetened	No	No	Apples, water, ascorbic acid	Made from 100% American apples
Standard Sweetened Brand	Yes	No	Apples, high-fructose corn syrup	Clingingly sweet, less healthy

Making Your Own Applesauce: The Ultimate Healthy Option

For those who want complete control over their ingredients and flavor, making homemade applesauce is the best option. It allows you to select your preferred apple varieties, use organic fruit, and control the sweetness naturally. By including the peels, you can maximize the fiber and antioxidant content. The process is relatively simple, requiring just a few pounds of apples and some water. A mix of sweet apples like Fuji or Gala and tart ones like Granny Smith creates a balanced flavor profile. You can customize the spices with cinnamon, nutmeg, or cloves.

For an easy homemade, no-sugar-added recipe, see the guide on Weelicious.

Conclusion: Making Your Choice

Determining what's the healthiest brand of applesauce? is less about finding a singular champion and more about recognizing the healthiest characteristics across the board. Look for products that are unsweetened, organic, and have a minimal ingredient list. Brands like Wegman's Organic, Santa Cruz Organic, and Mott's No Sugar Added Organic offer excellent commercial options that align with these healthy principles. Ultimately, the healthiest applesauce is the one that best suits your dietary needs and taste preferences, while avoiding unnecessary additives and sugars. By reading labels carefully, you can ensure a delicious and nutritious choice every time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is unsweetened applesauce considered healthier?

Unsweetened applesauce is healthier because it does not contain added sugars or high-fructose corn syrup, which can significantly increase calories and lead to health issues if consumed in excess. The sweetness comes only from the fruit itself.

What is the best applesauce for babies?

For babies, it's best to choose unsweetened, organic applesauce without any added sugars, flavors, or preservatives. Look for single-ingredient products or those with added vitamin C. Mild and sweet apple varieties like Fuji or Gala are often used.

Does organic applesauce taste different?

The taste of organic applesauce can vary by brand and apple variety, but many organic options are praised in taste tests for having a more natural, authentic apple flavor, especially when unsweetened. They are less likely to have the cloying sweetness found in products with added sugar.

What is ascorbic acid in applesauce?

Ascorbic acid is simply Vitamin C. It is commonly added to commercial applesauce as a preservative to prevent the product from browning or oxidizing over time. It is a harmless and often beneficial additive.

How can I tell if applesauce has added sugar?

Always check the ingredient list on the product label. Healthy unsweetened versions will list only apples (and maybe water or ascorbic acid). If you see ingredients like "sugar," "brown sugar," "high-fructose corn syrup," or other sweeteners, it has added sugar.

Are applesauce pouches or cups healthier?

The packaging type (pouch, cup, or jar) does not determine healthiness. The nutritional content depends entirely on the ingredients. Some pouches may have a more concentrated flavor because they omit water, but you must still check the label for added sugars.

Can applesauce be a good source of fiber?

Applesauce naturally contains some fiber, but it has less than whole, raw apples because the cooking and puréeing process breaks down the fibers. However, applesauce made with the peels included has a higher fiber content.