Are Oreo Thins Actually Healthier? Here's How They Compare To Original And Double Stuf

Lots of people are looking to snack a little healthier while still enjoying their favorite treats, but it can be hard to tell whether foods that seem healthy are actually good for you. Oreo Thins are one example, as their smaller size might make them seem like a healthier choice than their Original and thicker Double Stuf Oreo relatives, but that could just encourage you to eat more. And with each style of Oreo having a different serving size, it can be hard to track what you're eating. But don't worry Oreo Thin fans, Nabisco is not misleading you, because when you break it down on a per cookie basis, they are actually a little healthier than other Oreos.

Oreo's serving sizes have clearly been chosen to reflect a similar calorie intake, with four Thins, three original Oreos, and two Double Stuf Oreos per serving. Thins and Double Stuf both have 140 calories per serving, while Original Oreos have 160. When it comes to nutrition, no Oreo offers much in the way of beneficial nutrients. Thins and Original Oreos both contain less than 1 gram of fiber per serving, while Double Stuf lists zero. None of the varieties offers much protein either, with Thins and Original Oreos containing just 1 gram per serving and Double Stuf containing less than 1 gram.

So your choice is likely going to come down to saturated and trans fat, added sugar, and sodium. These are the key nutrients the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) recommends limiting because of potential health risks, and they're also where Thins have a meaningful advantage.

The good news for all three types of Oreo is that none contain trans fat, which is linked to high cholesterol. For saturated fat, which should be limited to 20 grams a day, the Thins narrowly beat Original, with .5 grams per cookie compared to .66 grams. Double Stuf Oreos have the most saturated fat at 1.25 grams per cookie.

When it comes to sodium and added sugar, Oreo Thins have an even bigger advantage. One Thin cookie has 3 grams of added sugar, which is considerably less than the 4.7 grams in an original and 6.5 grams in Double Stuf. For sodium, one Oreo Thin has 24 milligrams, versus 43.3 for original Oreos and 45 for Double Stuf. While Thins are lower in both areas, the sodium content of all three isn't too high. But the added sugar difference is meaningful. If you were eating four cookies of each variety, you'd be consuming 6.8 grams less added sugar with Thins than with Original Oreos, and 14 grams less than with Double Stuf. With a recommended maximum of 50 grams of added sugar per day, that gives you more leeway in your daily intake.

Overall, any Oreo can be part of a balanced diet. Even multiple servings can fit into your day, so feel free to go with whichever Oreo you prefer, just note that Thins will let you eat a few more for a similar calorie intake.