Gerber Graduates Lil' Crunchies Mild Cheddar Baked Corn Snack

I knew I needed to find a healthier alternative real cheese doodles when my two year old son starting eating them off my husband's plate. A few would have been alright but he was eating handfuls of them. This was not healthy for him to snack on. You could imagine how relieved I was when I discovered Graduates for Toddlers Lil' Crunchies from Gerber. They make cheese doodles for toddlers in mild cheddar. I spotted these in my local supermarket and my local Target.

Nutritional Facts: Serving size are 14 pieces (7 grams). There are 6 servings per container. Each container is 1.48 ounces (42 grams). There are 35 calories per serving and 10 of these calories are from fat. The total fat is 1.5 grams per serving. There is no saturated fat or any trans fat. There is no cholesterol. There are 50 mg of sodium. There is less than 5 g of total carbohydrates. There is less than .5g of dietary fiber. There is less than 1 g of sugar and 0g protein.

Ingredients: Whole grain yellow corn flour, corn oil, cheddar cheese (cultured pasteurized milk, salt, enzymes), natural flavors, salt, malt dextrin, disodium phosphate, annatto extract color.

If you want more information about this product you can call Gerber at 1-800-4-GERBER. You can also visit their website at www.gerber.com.

What I like about the packaging is that it comes in a fresh sealed container. Once you pull back the fresh seal you can still keep the cheese doodles fresh just by putting the cover back on. You don't have to worry about a bag ripping or not being able to close the bag tight enough for them to stay fresh. I also was happy to see that once I did open the container it was filled to the top. Here again this is better than a bag because a bag isn't usually filled to the top. These cheese doodles stay fresh for at least 2 weeks. Just make sure you keep them tightly closed when you are finished with them.

Taste: They aren't as cheesy as "adult" cheese doodles. I don't have to worry about cheese all over my son's hands, face, and clothes. They are light and fluffy. There is no spice in them at all. Sometimes I will find a piece that is too hard for my son so I just throw that one away. They have a light cheesy smell to them, not a strong smell. They do seem to make my son thirsty which leads me to believe they are a little salty. I did notice that salt was added in the ingredients.

They are made with 100% whole grain corn. These cheese doodles are naturally flavored and baked. This makes it a healthier alternative than "adult" cheese doodles. I don't worry if my son eats one more than he should. I usually portion them out for him but sometimes I will give him some more. They are perfect for toddlers. They are about an inch and half in size, and easily melt in your mouth so you can't choke.

Flavors: They come in different flavors. My son happens to love the mild cheddar but they also come in veggie dip and zesty tomato. We haven't tried the other flavors yet.

You can find these at your local supermarket, Target, or Babies R Us for about $3.99. I usually wait for a coupon or a sale. Then I buy more than one at a time.