Packaged cookies are a convenient treat. However, many popular brands use low-quality ingredients like high fructose corn syrup, hydrogenated oils, artificial flavors, and preservatives to extend shelf life and cut costs. While these cookies may taste great, they often lack real butter, whole grains, or natural sweeteners, making them more processed than homemade alternatives. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at 15 cookie brands that rely on low-quality ingredients, breaking down exactly what’s inside. If you want to make smarter snack choices, this list will help you rethink which cookies deserve a spot in your pantry.
1. Grandma’s
Bite into a Grandma’s cookie, and you’re met with more than just nostalgia—you’re also getting a dose of high fructose corn syrup, artificial flavors, and partially hydrogenated oils. These processed ingredients extend shelf life but come at the cost of nutrition.
Many varieties also include preservatives like TBHQ, which some studies suggest may cause adverse effects when consumed in excess. While these cookies are marketed as soft and comforting, their ingredient list is anything but. With low fiber, high sugar, and multiple additives, Grandma’s cookies may not be the homemade treat they appear to be.
2. Smart Way
Smart Way cookies might not be the smartest choice if you’re avoiding processed ingredients. Despite their simple branding, they contain refined flour, artificial flavors, and excessive sugar. These cookies also rely on partially hydrogenated oils and synthetic preservatives, which have been linked to long-term health concerns. Since they are a low-cost option, Smart Way uses inexpensive sweeteners like high fructose corn syrup instead of natural alternatives. Some flavors contain artificial dyes, while others use palm oil instead of real butter. For those who prefer real butter over vegetable oil blends, these cookies may not deliver the quality you’re looking for.
3. Keebler
Keebler’s colorful packaging and fun mascots can make you forget what’s inside. Unfortunately, many of their cookies, including the famous Fudge Stripes and E.L. Fudge, rely on palm oil, artificial flavors, and high amounts of refined sugar. Keebler also frequently uses soy lecithin, corn syrup, and artificial coloring to enhance appearance and texture. While their treats may be satisfying, they lack real, wholesome ingredients. With minimal natural flavors and a long list of additives, Keebler cookies prioritize cost-cutting measures over quality. If you’re looking for something closer to a homemade cookie, you may want to check the label twice.
4. Mother’s
Brightly colored and coated in sprinkles, Mother’s cookies may look fun, but their ingredient list is anything but. These treats are loaded with artificial dyes like Red 40 and Yellow 5, as well as hydrogenated oils and corn syrup. To maintain their sweetness, Mother’s cookies use refined sugar and artificial vanilla, avoiding the use of high-quality ingredients like real cocoa or butter.
Some varieties also contain preservatives such as sodium benzoate, which helps prolong shelf life but offers no nutritional value. While they bring a sense of nostalgia, these cookies are more about appearance than nutrition. If you’re looking for a snack without excessive additives, it may be time to reconsider these childhood favorites.
5. Great Value
As Walmart’s in-house brand, Great Value cookies aim for affordability, but this often comes at the cost of ingredient quality. Many of their cookie varieties contain high fructose corn syrup, hydrogenated oils, and artificial preservatives. You’ll also find bleached flour and synthetic emulsifiers, which help maintain texture but offer little nutritional value. Some flavors, like their sandwich cookies, use vanillin—a synthetic vanilla substitute—rather than real vanilla extract. These cookies also contain modified corn starch, artificial sweeteners, and preservatives to extend shelf life. These budget-friendly treats might be easy on the wallet, but they aren’t exactly a great value for your health.
6. Famous Amos
Famous Amos cookies may promise gourmet flavor, but their ingredient list tells a different story. Instead of real butter, they rely on vegetable oils like palm and canola oil, which lack the richness of traditional homemade cookies. These cookies contain high fructose corn syrup, artificial flavorings, and stabilizers like soy lecithin.
While the chocolate chips might look appealing, they’re often made with processed cocoa and milk substitutes, reducing the overall quality. Some versions even include preservatives like calcium propionate to extend freshness. For a cookie that once stood for premium ingredients, today’s version of Famous Amos leans heavily on cost-effective, mass-produced components.
7. Chips Ahoy!
Packed with artificial flavors, high fructose corn syrup, and palm oil, Chips Ahoy! cookies prioritize shelf stability over real ingredients. The chocolate chips aren’t just cocoa-based; they also include milk substitutes and emulsifiers. Many varieties, especially the chewy versions, contain preservatives like sodium benzoate to keep them fresh longer. With nearly as much sugar as a candy bar per serving, these cookies lack fiber and real nutritional value. While their crunchy texture and sweet flavor are addicting, Chips Ahoy! cookies lack real butter, high-quality chocolate, or whole grain flour.
8. E.L. Fudge
E.L. Fudge cookies may have an iconic shape, but they also contain artificial flavors, corn syrup solids, and processed vegetable oils. The chocolate fudge filling relies on partially hydrogenated oils and emulsifiers, making it far from the rich, homemade fudge you’d expect. Keebler also adds synthetic vanillin instead of real vanilla extract, further reducing ingredient quality. In addition to the artificial chocolate taste, these cookies contain refined sugar and corn starch, contributing to their ultra-processed nature. While they may be fun to eat, their ingredient list is anything but sweet. These cookies may look indulgent, but their list of processed components suggests otherwise.
9. Newton’s
Although Newton’s may seem healthier than traditional cookies, a closer look at the ingredients reveals high fructose corn syrup, palm oil, and artificial flavors. While figs naturally contain fiber, these cookies are still high in refined sugar and enriched flour, reducing their nutritional benefit. The fruit filling also includes preservatives and artificial coloring to maintain appearance and taste. Certain varieties contain genetically modified ingredients, which some consumers prefer to avoid. The presence of soybean oil and citric acid further indicates a reliance on additives rather than natural ingredients. While they may be a nostalgic choice, Newton’s aren’t as wholesome as they seem.
10. Nutter Butter
Peanut butter lovers might be disappointed to learn that Nutter Butters contain more sugar, hydrogenated oils, and emulsifiers than actual peanuts. While they do have some peanut flour, they also include corn syrup solids and processed sweeteners, making them more of a sugary snack than a nut-based treat.
Additionally, the cookie shell itself is made with refined flour, leaving little room for fiber or whole grain benefits. With added artificial flavors, stabilizers, and preservatives like sodium sulfite, these cookies are designed for mass production rather than quality taste. For those expecting a peanut-rich treat, Nutter Butters rely more on processed additives than natural ingredients.
11. Oreo
Few cookies are as iconic as the Oreo, but their high fructose corn syrup, artificial flavors, and palm oil tell a different story. Instead of real cream, the filling contains hydrogenated oils and synthetic emulsifiers, making it a far cry from homemade. The chocolate wafers rely on alkalized cocoa, a process that strips natural antioxidants. Additionally, preservatives extend shelf life but add no nutritional value. With little fiber and high sugar content, Oreos are a highly processed snack with more additives than real ingredients. Their taste is nostalgic, but their ingredient list is anything but wholesome.
12. Walkers
Marketed as a traditional Scottish shortbread, Walkers cookies contain simple but rich ingredients like wheat flour, butter, sugar, and salt. While they avoid artificial flavors and preservatives, they are high in saturated fat due to their heavy butter content.
These cookies also lack fiber or whole grains, meaning they provide little nutritional benefit. Their high sugar content makes them more of a dessert than a snack with substance. Though Walkers shortbread is less processed than many mass-produced cookies, their calorie-dense nature means they should be enjoyed in moderation, rather than being mistaken for a healthier choice.
13. SnackWell’s
Gluten-free doesn’t always mean healthy, and Udi’s cookies prove that point. Instead of whole grains, these cookies rely on potato starch, brown rice flour, and tapioca starch, which lack fiber and nutrients. Their ingredient list includes canola oil, evaporated cane juice, and xanthan gum, making them just as processed as traditional cookies. Though marketed as an alternative for those avoiding gluten, Udi’s cookies contain refined sugars and oils, making them a high-calorie snack with little nutritional value. For those looking for a genuinely wholesome gluten-free option, these cookies may not be the best choice.
14. Udi’s
Once a diet-friendly cookie brand, SnackWell’s built its reputation on low-fat but high-sugar treats. While they cut down on fat, they compensate with corn syrup, artificial sweeteners, and modified food starch, making them just as processed as full-fat options.
Also, these cookies contain hydrogenated vegetable oils, which extend shelf life but reduce overall quality. The lack of fiber and protein means they provide little satiety, despite their sweet taste. While they may seem like a healthier alternative, the high sugar content and artificial ingredients make SnackWell’s more of a marketing gimmick than a truly nutritious snack.
15. Lorna Doone
Shortbread cookies should be simple, but Lorna Doone relies on vegetable oils like palm and soybean instead of butter. While they maintain the classic shortbread taste, they are made with high fructose corn syrup, artificial flavors, and preservatives to extend their shelf life.
Unlike homemade shortbread, which uses minimal ingredients, these cookies are highly processed and provide little nutritional value. With no fiber and excessive refined sugars, Lorna Doone cookies are more about convenience than quality. Though they may be a nostalgic treat, their ingredient list shows that they are far from a traditional, buttery shortbread.
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