Do you love snacking on Lorna Doone cookies but are unsure whether they are healthy? No problem.
Lorna Doone cookies are popular shortbread cookies introduced by the Nabisco company in 1912. The cookies are made from enriched wheat flour and are known for their rich buttery flavor and crumbly texture.
And while there is no doubt that they taste amazing, are Lorna Doone cookies healthy for you?
Short answer: Lorna Doone cookies are not healthy as they have low nutritional value and use high fructose corn syrup and other highly processed ingredients such as vegetable oils and artificial flavor.
Let’s dive deeper into more about Lorna Doone cookies.
Also read: Are Quest Cookies Healthy? Here Is The Answer
Lorna Doone cookies are made up of Unbleached enriched flour, Sugar, Canola oil, Palm oil, Corn flour, Salt, High fructose corn syrup, Baking soda, Soy lecithin, Cornstarch and Artificial flavor.
Though cookies have butter flavor, butter has not been presented on the ingredients label.
Let’s learn a little bit about some of the ingredients.
Unbleached enriched flour: It is a type of flour that is naturally low in nutrients and enriched with various vitamins and minerals.
High fructose corn syrup(HFCS): It is a sugar made from corn starch often used as a sweetener in foods.
I will talk more about HFCS in the forthcoming section.
Soy lecithin: It is a natural ingredient derived from soybeans. It is used as an emulsifier, i.e. to mix all the ingredients together.
Artificial flavor: Lorna and Doone cookies use artificial flavor, but the ingredients label does not specify the flavor.
1. They contain High fructose corn syrup (HFCS)
Lorna Doone cookies are low in sugar containing 5g of added sugar per serving. That’s about 13% of the daily sugar limit for men and 20% for women.
However, sugar is not the problem here but the source of it.
While the main source of sweetness in Lorna Doone cookies is sugar, it also contains High fructose corn syrup.
High fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is a highly processed sugary syrup made from corn starch with higher fructose(a type of sugar).
Studies have shown that the consumption of HFCS can contribute to the development of metabolic disorders[1][2].
Also, if consumed in excess, it can result in weight gain, increase inflammation and increase the risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)[3][4][5].
For this reason, regularly consuming Lorna Doone cookies is not a healthy snacking option, especially if you also eat other packaged snack options containing HFCS.
2. They are low in nutrition
While the first ingredient in Lorna Doone cookies is enriched flour, they are still low in nutrients.
A single serving(28g) of Lorna Doone cookies contains just 1g of protein and zero fiber.
Although they contain some other nutrients, such as iron, potassium, and riboflavin, the amount present is almost negligible and not listed on the nutrition label.
3. They contain processed ingredients
Most of the ingredients in Lorna Doone cookies are highly processed, making them a less-than-ideal choice for snacks.
These ingredients include enriched wheat flour, sugar, canola oil, palm oil, HFCS, soy lecithin and artificial flavor.
While these processed ingredients make the cookies taste delicious, they increase the risk of unwanted health issues in the long run.
As per Harvard University, processed foods are suggested to be one of the main contributors to obesity and the rising of chronic diseases like heart disease and diabetes[6].
4. They use artificial flavor
Lorna Doone cookies use artificial flavor to enhance the taste. However, what this artificial is actually is not disclosed.
While this might not be a problem for everyone, it certainly for those with allergies or sensitivities to certain flavorings.
Furthermore, using artificial flavors in food is not something that everyone prefers, especially those who prefer natural and clean eating.
Lorna Doone cookies are low in sodium containing 150mg per serving. That’s about 10% of the daily ideal sodium limit set by the American Heart Association.
Sodium is an important part of the diet. However, too much of it can result in heart-related issues.
Fortunately, Lorna Doone cookies are low in sodium, making them ideal for those looking for a sweet but low-sodium snacking option.
Despite their low sugar content, Lorna Doone cookies are not the most suitable option for weight loss due to the presence of various processed ingredients.
Additionally, a serving(28g) of Lorna Doone cookies contains 140 calories.
While this may not seem like many calories, it’s important to note where they come from.
The majority of calories in Lorna Doone cookies come from sugar and other processed ingredients such as HFCS, palm oil and canola oil, which are empty calories.
According to most sources, empty calories are the primary source of weight gain.
However, consuming Lorna Doone cookies on their own(in moderation) will not significantly impact your weight.
Remember that weight loss depends not only on one food but your overall diet and lifestyle.
How many calories are in one Lorna Doone cookies? One Lorna Doone cookies contain 35 calories.
Is Lorna Doone cookies good for diabetics? Lorna Doone cookies are not good for diabetics as they contain added sugar and highly processed ingredients such as HFCS, cornstarch, canola and palm oil. Additionally, they have no fiber.
Lorna Doone cookies are considered vegan as long as you are not a strict vegan and have a problem with sugar.
The sugar in industries is filtered using bone char during processing to give it a white granulated appearance. This bone char is made from the bones of animals. As a result, most people don’t consider it vegan-friendly.
However, some vegans do not have an issue with the use of sugar.
So it’s up to you.
Lorna Doone cookies are not gluten-free as they are made from enriched wheat flour as the main ingredient.
Moreover, they are also not suitable for individuals with soy allergies.
Final words
While Lorna Doone cookies are a tasty and satisfying snack, they are not healthy.
They are low in nutrition, use High fructose corn syrup and contain highly processed ingredients such as vegetable oils and artificial flavor.
If you prefer healthy and clean eating, it’s better to look for other snacking options.
Found this information helpful? Share it.
Here are a few other posts that might also be helpful for you.
