Split Stix a hit with kids; too sweet, adults say
There are lots of new ways to turn a brown bag lunch into something that inspires a smile.
Toss a Rice Krispies Treats Split Stix into the bag or tuck some Fruit Smoothie Blitz snacks under the carrots. Children loved the new snacks, but the adults said they probably wouldn’t want them in their own lunch.
The Split Stix are a lot like the original Rice Krispies Treat, but with a layer of chocolate on the bottom. Each treat is divided into three sticks that the kids enjoyed breaking apart. The design makes them easy to share, but that’s probably not going to happen, our young tasters said.
“These are my favorite. I could eat my brother’s, too,” said 5-year-old Katie Kazanis.
“I can’t think of anything to say, because it’s so good,” said Pierce Hubbard, 5.
The refrain from the adult tasters was simple: These are too sweet.
“Old Snap, Crackle and Pop didn’t make these. I can’t taste any marshmallows. No crunch and too sweet… Not the kind I make,” said Marilyn Moore.
Donald Clegg, who generally avoids sweets, admitted he’s partial to Rice Krispies Treats after tasting the original flavor Split Stix. “I wouldn’t buy them though, it’s more fun to make your own.”
He relented after tasting the chocolaty flavor. “These come in chocolate, too? OK, I might buy these.”
Larry Inman said the Split Stix were better than traditional Rice Krispies Treats “because they are not as sticky, and they have more flavor.”
But Laura Hollman said the taste of the chocolate coating was difficult to discern. “Way too sweet! It almost hurts,” she said.
The Fruit Smoothie Blitz fruit snacks were equally appealing to the kids and offensive to the adults.
“These should be labeled ‘for kids only.’ They are way too sweet and artificial tasting,” Larry Inman said.
Drew Kazanis, 7, said that was fine with him. “I ate them so fast because they were delicious. I can’t get enough of these.”
Pierce Hubbard thought the fruit snacks would make a nice addition to his lunch at Kindergarten.
Adults said they’ll might limit their exposure, and probably keep them away from the kids, too. And they said don’t be fooled by the word fruit on the packaging.
“Oh, snap. I thought I was a guy who likes his sugar, but these are insane,” said Chris Burggraat.
“Stick-to-your-teeth repulsiveness,” Clegg said. “Shame, shame, shame.”
“I like them because of their artificial, over-sweetened, chewy goodness….but don’t pretend they’re fruit,” Hollman said.
Rice Krispies Treats Split Stix, Original
Price: $3.09 for 6 bars
Nutrition per serving: 120 calories, 4.5 grams fat (3 grams saturated, 34 percent fat calories), less than 1 gram protein, 20 grams carbohydrate, no cholesterol, less than 1 gram dietary fiber, 80 milligrams sodium.
Kids
Taste: • • • •
Comments: “I could eat my brother’s too.” – Katie Kazanis, 5
“I can’t think of anything to say because it’s so good.” – Pierce Hubbard, 5
Adults
Taste: • • •
Value: • •
Comments: “I’m a purist. Leave the chocolate in the factory.” – Skip Hubbard
“Cloyingly sweet. I can’t taste the chocolate coating – to expensive.” – Marcia Oranen
“Very sweet, but pretty good flavor. One a day is plenty.” – Andy Hoye
Rice Krispies Treats Spilt Stix, Chocolatey
Price: $3.09 for 6 bars
Nutrition per serving: 130 calories, 5 grams fat (3 grams saturated, 35 percent fat calories), less than 1 gram protein, 19 grams carbohydrate, no cholesterol, less than 1 gram dietary fiber, 95 milligrams sodium.
Kids
Taste: • • • •
Comments: “Too much chocolate.” – Pierce Hubbard, 5
“It’s very sweet and very chocolatey. Too much sugar. They are probably very bad for you.” – Stephen Gese, 11
“I’d buy this.” – Bryton Martin, 10
Adults
Taste: • •
Value: • •
Comments: “I prefer a crisper treat.” – Peggy Kazanis
“Slight chocolate flavor… two sweet and too much air; no substance.” – Marcia Oranen
Fruit Smoothie Blitz, Strawberry
Price: $2.79 for 6 (1.5-ounce) bags
Nutrition per serving: 140 calories, 1 gram fat (no saturated fat, 6 percent fat calories), no protein, 32 grams carbohydrate, no cholesterol, no dietary fiber, 70 milligrams sodium.
Kids
Taste: • • •
Comments: “They are very sweet, too sweet.” – Stephen Gese, 11
“Fruity.” – Sydney Williams, 9
“I liked the swirl of flavors.” – Bryton Martin, 10
Adults
Taste: • •
Value: • •
Comments: “Sure, it’s a fake strawberry taste, but it’s darn good.” — Skip Hubbard
“Fruit in shape only. A good substitute for gum drops or gummi bears, but not a real food.” – Tina Johnson
Fruit Smoothie Blitz, Mixed Berry
Price: $2.79 for 6 (1.5-ounce) bags
Nutrition per serving: 140 calories, 1 gram fat (no saturated fat, 6 percent fat calories), no protein, 32 grams carbohydrate, no cholesterol, no dietary fiber, 70 milligrams sodium.
Kids
Taste: • • •
Comments: “I ate them so fast because they were delicious. I can’t get enough of these.” – Drew Kazanis, 7
“I want these in my lunch at Kindergarten.” – Pierce Hubbard, 5
Adults
Taste: • •
Value: • •
Comments: “Too sweet.” – Peggy Kazanis
“Don’t get hooked by ‘fruit’ in the product label – this is candy.” – Andy Hoye
“The new gum drop.” – Marilyn Moore