Do you eat them? I’m going to be honest, I’ve NEVER had one until a few days ago. I don’t know what possessed me to pick them up from the grocery store (oh yea, I was hungry) but I did. I picked up a package of Sunsweet 60 Calorie Pack Pitted Prunes and Dark chocolate coated plum bites. Honestly, I had no idea what to expect. How did I go 32 years without eating a dried plum, seriously?
Anyway, I have to admit, I’m impressed, they are very tasty, sweet and filling! The 60 calorie packs are a great 1 point grab-able snack. I’m sure it’s cheaper if you just buy prunes and portion them out but honestly, I was scared I wouldn’t like them and thought I could pawn off the packs on others easier if they were individually wrapped. Warped thinking, I know.
As for the Dark chocolate coated plum bites, OH MY WORD! SOOO Good, seriously better then any "candy" I’ve ever had. I don’t know about you, but I’d rather reach for chocolate coated plums then some empty calorie candy when I’m craving something sweet. 14 pieces are only 120 calories with 6g of fat and 2 g of fiber. That’s 2.5 points, not too bad for a antioxidant packed sweet treat.
The best part, according to WHFoods.com…
Prunes’ soluble fiber helps normalize blood sugar levels by slowing the rate at which food leaves the stomach and by delaying the absorption of glucose (the form in which sugar is transported in the blood) following a meal. Soluble fiber also increases insulin sensitivity and can therefore play a helpful role in the prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes. And, prunes’ soluble fiber promotes a sense of satisfied fullness after a meal by slowing the rate at which food leaves the stomach, so prunes can also help prevent overeating and weight gain.
I can’t be the only one who’s been avoiding these little gems on reputation alone, am I? Come on, confess! Don’t leave me hanging. Are you a prune eater?
Update: I’ve been getting many questions about prunes and shelf life. From what I found they last at least 6 months.
61 Responses to Sunsweet PRUNES! aka Dried Plums
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About Roni
Roni started this blog in '05 to journal her weight loss. 70lbs later, she's committed to living a conscious, healthy life and hopes to inspire others along the way. Read more on the about page.
I’m going to try it now!
Check out WannaBeSkinnys last blog post..Is it time to eat?
I’m going to try the chocolate ones. If I can have my chocolate fix and get some good in all the better.
Check out WannaBeSkinnys last blog post..Is it time to eat?
I had my first prune last week. It was hidden in a muffin that a co-worker gave me. It was so yummy. It had dissolved and created a lovely sweet, warm paste/filling. I was asking my coworker how she managed to get applebutter in the center. Then she explained the secret ingredient. I will definetly be seeking them out for snacking in the future.I love the idea of them coated in chocolate!
I have never tried prunes, but I will now:)
Check out Marandas last blog post..Giveaway
I think I’ve eaten them before SOMETIME in my 53 years….but if so, it wasn’t memorable. But then….I spent most of my life in eating oblivion, eating all the not-good-for-me garbage, and when you’re eating candy bars, fruit doesn’t even taste good. You have to get away from garbage food before you learn how wonderful all whole foods are. But because of you, Roni, I am going to look for some prunes and try them again!
Check out Bonnies last blog post..Carrie Joy
I love them! Yum! I haven’t tried the orange and lemon essence ones, yet, but the regular ones are just YUMMY.
Check out Alexias last blog post..If you like McD’s burgers, think again.
i got obsessed with prunes in brasil last summer. before that i thought i hated them, but i guess i don’t!
Check out madison (follow my weigh)s last blog post..cheesiness at the cheesecake
OMG! Today I picked up the 60 calories pack for the very first time and loved them!
Careful…Prunes provide a slight laxative affect too. Some how they can make you “go” if you can’t “go”
Check out Christys last blog post..5 years today…
I bought some of those individually-wrapped sunsweet prunes a while back and was surprised at how delicious they were. I’m going to have to look for the chocolate-covered ones!
these are very much a trigger food for me. I tried the individually wrapped ones too – and had to get rid of them immediately – they are very much like having a really good candy (for me) . . .
Check out vickies last blog post..Vocabulary – one more time.
I eat the regular ones as well. I love them. My husband calls me an old lady when I pick them up at the store. Now I just have to try the chocolate ones!
I love prunes, and I can’t wait to try the chocolate-coated ones. It might make DH a little more enthusiastic about them, too. He likes them, but, then, there’s their reputation! :-\
my son and I eat them all the time but haven’t been able to convince the others ;) Who knew they had so many health benefits!?
Check out Annettes last blog post..Grateful
Dried plums are very good for you. I buy them by the pound at Trader Joe’s and put them in muffins or just eat one as a snack. They satisfy sweet cravings as well as contain vitamin K.
Mmmm – I love prunes too. I will definitely be on the lookout for those chocolate ones!
I am a prune eater although I don’t eat them very often. I’ve even used baby food prunes in my baking! Seriously!
Check out Kristas last blog post..Smelly Tar
Prunes are great!
Sunsweet also makes some that are like “hinted” with other flavors – so I’ll get the “cherry flavored prunes” by them – and my husband DEVOURS them! You should try those out as well! :)
Check out AlliJag (Green Dog Wine)s last blog post..An interesting evening
i’ve eaten prunes as long as i can remember, i don’t have them often but do enjoy a few here and there esp. when they are super-fresh… i don’t think i’d like the chocoloate covered ones though do like the orange and lemon varieties… :o)
Check out jodis last blog post..where the sun don’t shine
I like prunes…didn’t realize they had dark chocolate coated ones..YUMM. I am going to add these to my list to look forwhen I do my weekly shopping. Thanks for sharing.
Check out Jenni Shavers last blog post..Dancing it off..
Is this True Confessions, The Prune Edition? :)
I like prunes. My grandma started me on them when I was a kid. Just called them dried plums and I gobbled them up.
Then came my elementary school years when the lunch ladies tried to get us to eat Prune Whip–a really scarey looking concoction to say the least. I started to avoid Prunes. The final straw, when working at a nursing home, seeing Stewed Prunes for the first time.
Then I start Weight Watchers and found them again. I like the little one prune, individually wrapped babies. They come in a little clear tube, the name escapes me.
Didn’t know they had chocolate covered ones. Delightful. I’ll have to look for them.
Check out lilbets last blog post..Mompetition
I LOVE PRUNES..always have. they taste great and can really help if you ..um need to go….you know:)
Awesome fiber but can be high in calories.
I have to say I am a fan of the prunes as well. I had seen them in my parents pantry a few years ago – so me, always looking for something new and interesting to snack on, took a few pieces and was pleasantly surprised! I think they’re a good sweet treat with an “old” image.
I’m not surprised you like prunes, especially since you love fruit leather. Fruit leather is basically just dried apples and other fruit mashed into a strip. I have always had a secret love of prunes and all dried fruit. You should try dried figs, dates, apricots, mango, pineapple–they are all good. Someone also mentioned the orange and lemon flavored prunes and those are good too. I recently returned to prunes for digestive health reasons (pregnancy and constipation go hand in hand afterall). My mom bought me the chocolate covered ones and I love them. They are even better than chocolate covered raisins! I had to hide them from myself so I didn’t eat the whole bag.
Even though dried fruit is not Core and it is energy dense, it is so good for you for so many reasons. I’m so glad that you found prunes!
Check out Michellys last blog post..Tawnya added the blog post ‘TGIF!!!’
Prunes are great! We buy them in large bags at Costco! A great snack on the go!
Check out KKs last blog post..Measuring Progress
I have been eating prunes since I was a child! Be careful, because they keep you regular. The real trick in knowing what food is good is what the dog begs for. My miniature schnauzer goes crazy when I open the bag of prunes (she only gets a TINY bit!). It is so sad that so many people here are living prune-less lives. I get em by the mega-bag ful at Costco :)
I love prunes, but I haven’t bought them since I’m doing Core and dried fruits aren’t considered Core. But maybe I’ll try those 60 calorie packs since I still have my 35 weeklies to use! Although, I fear I’m already getting plenty of fiber with the amount of whole grains, fruits, and veggies I’m eating!
Ah, we’ve been buying prunes in mass quantities since my daughter was little. Her little digestive system was really slow, and the fruits’ fiber content prevents the screaming and writhing in agony, which is always a good thing. Every night before brushing the teeth, it’s “prune time.”
As for me, I’ve lost 40 lbs. in the last year, and prunes are one of my go-to snacks for when I get home from work and I’m STARVING!!! Three of the little guys, and my stomach is appeased until dinner.
Check out snarkypantss last blog post..My Fellow Texans…
Oh, I am going to be ALL OVER those chocolate covered ones! hmmmm, i wonder if I could DIY some choc covered prunes…..hmmmm…..
Prunes were a fave of mine during both pregnancies! Warded off constipation and ‘roids…
Check out Briannes last blog post..“You’re Flaunting It!”
Oh, I am going to be ALL OVER those chocolate covered ones! hmmmm, i wonder if I could DIY some choc covered prunes…..hmmmm…..
Prunes were a fave of mine during both pregnancies! Warded off constipation and ‘roids…
I love prunes but haven’t had any for a while. I will definitely pick some up on my next shopping trip. And now that I know they have them at Costco… I’ll have to use my willpower.
Check out RooBabss last blog post..Week in Review- Part 2
It’s funny because I have been buying these prunes for a while for my son- but I am embarrased to admit that I don’t ever eat them!!!! A while back, my son was having tummy trouble and wouldn’t drink prune juice, so I bought the chewy prunes and he gobbled them up! He still eats them regularly as a snack. I feel so silly!! I always assumed that they were gross- after reading all of the comments, I am excited to try them! Looks like my son is a step ahead of me!!
;)
The kids and I love the Cherry Essence ones the best. You have to try them. Also worked like a charm for helping our youngest “get goin’ ” and finish figuring out potty training #2! ;)
I found the chocolate ones at the store today and OMG – they are delicious. I counted out 7 (half a serving at 1 1/2 Points) and ate them at work, a couple of hours after dinner.
Check out Arlenes last blog post..Caitlin
I have been NEEDING chocolate and have been on the hunt – even buying sugar free Dove (sacrelige, I know) only to find that a serving had 15g of fat!!! No better than the good old Hershey bar. THANK YOU for posting this. I love prunes and chocolate, but never had them together. Now I can beat those cravings and not feel so guilty. Thanks again!
Check out Erins last blog post..Azad
No! But I guess I should be. I will pick some up. I would have never even considered it had you not suggested it though. :) I hope they are good! :)
Check out Juliets last blog post..Amy’s Steel Cut Oatmeal Bowl
I’ve been eating prunes and Plum Sweets for quite some time now and I love them. I think the issue is with the name “prune”. People are turned of by it and think they are only for people with digestive issues ;-) I motion to call them dried plums from now on!
Check out designgrrls last blog post..All or nothing
My two year old and I love prunes. I just bought a big bag of the regular size prunes at Costco. I agree that the name prune is sort of a deterrent and I find myself referring to them as dried plums or as I say to my son, big raisins.
The chocolate coated prunes are delicious. I don’t buy them too often because I can’t be trusted not to eat more than one serving.
I love this section of food finds. It is really helpful and fun to read about new food ideas. Thanks Roni.
I try and eat 5 prunes everyday, only I call them dried plums or just plums. Yes they have a bad, sad rep for sure! A rose by any other name, is just not true in this case!
Hey Roni,
I have actually been eating prunes as a snack for the past several months. They’re pretty good but sometimes they can be sticky, so I put the whole bag in the fridge, which helps. I was thinking about trying an oatmeal fig cookie recipe that I used from the back of a fig package subsituting the figs for prunes. I’d think it’d be kind of the same; we’ll see.
Your website is great Roni, I’m so excited for you!
Camille
I have been enjoying them since the first part of August. They are on my “flat belly diet” but I had never had them before and almost tried to find a substitute and I am so glad now that I didn’t. They are a quick grab and go snack. Didn’t know before now that they were available chocolate covered and can’t wait to try those but I am wondering how good the “dark” part of the chocolate is for you as well.
Roni, I just tried these today. WONDERFUL!
Anne – The dark chocolate is DELICIOUS!!
I have just tried a prune few months ago and now i love them ! they are the tastiest dried fruit (or over any kind of fruit) ever.
One question i have for anyone who can answer.
If i buy a big value size bag .. how long can it last once opened? Do prunes go bad?
Lisa – I read somewhere 6 months, at least. Hope that helps.
I’m so bummed. Cannot find these anywhere around here. =(
I just bought these from my local Giant and they are delicious!
It’s funny, what a label has been put on prunes, my son loves all dried fruits and eats these regularly but I worked at a retirement home in high school and each person would get a small bowl with an allotted amount of prunes each day, lol, so I think of them as old people food. ? They are very yummy and can’t wait to try them choc covered! I also had the question of how long they can last after being opened.
I just found your website (via the prune search!) and I want to lose 15 tough pounds (3 1/2 yrs after my son) I think I found some great inspiration! Thx!!
Oh sorry 1 more thing, at a Christmas gathering someone made a chicken dish made with several fresh spices and prunes. Everyone loved it, kids included!
I’m pretty sure prunes have at leat a 6 month shelf life!