Product Review: Nabisco Ritz Whole Wheat Crackers

I discovered Ritz whole wheat crackers recently when my sister-in-law visited us. Always shopping at Bjs (they usually carry fewer varieties in bulk), I had no clue that Ritz crackers had diversified. Eager for better eating options, I decided to give my nearest superstore a visit. Must be one of my lucky days; the Ritz whole wheat crackers were buy one get one free! Even the Universe had plans for me to try it out and write a product review for my readers.

What's the latest buzz about whole grains?

The crackers came in the traditional red box from Nabisco with whole wheat and whole grain marked vividly on the box. (No guessing was required about the USP of the package!) I remembered the nutritionist who did nothing except discuss the benefits of whole grain on the morning show. Studies show that people who eat whole grains as part of a healthy diet have a reduced risk of chronic diseases. Grains provide many nutrients that are vital for the health and maintenance of our bodies. The recommendation is eating at least 3 one ounce equivalents of whole grain products. That's about 16g whole wheat grain per serving. The red box claimed that Ritz whole wheat crackers provided 5g of whole grain which is approximately 10% of the minimum daily amount nutritionists recommend.

Ritz whole wheat crackers: The Calorie Count

A serving of Ritz crackers (5 of them) has 70 calories and 25 calories from fat. GoodGuide.com, a website that rates products and discusses issues, said that the whole wheat crackers had low sodium, sugar and saturated fat, 3% dietary fiber and absolutely no cholesterol. The crackers are definitely a healthy option as compared to the regular Nabisco Ritz crackers with 80 calories, 35 calories from fat and absolute no dietary fiber.

With research comes new information! The website had plenty of low fat alternatives. So, if one was looking for a low-fat healthy cracker, Ritz whole wheat crackers didn't make it to the list. For more detailed analysis and a comparative look at low-fat options, check this out!

Ritz whole wheat crackers: The Scoop

While the package advertizes it as a sensible whole wheat solution, I certainly have my doubts. If you pay close attention to the ingredients, it says 'enriched whole wheat flour'. Now does that sound that whole wheat to you? The ratio of whole wheat isn't mentioned. To double check, I read the customer reviews at Amazon. Many were displeased about companies jumping on the whole grain bandwagon and making a mockery of the situation. So, until it says 100% whole grain or whole wheat, it isn't worth the buy.

Ritz whole wheat crackers: The Conclusion

Personally for me it was a step up. The whole wheat crackers were definitely healthier than the regular crackers from Nabisco I used to consume. But if you would buy it for the best whole wheat, whole grain option, I would suggest looking for other alternatives.

Source(s)
Personal Experiece
Goodguide.com
Amazon.com