Yes, it’s possible to make healthy s’mores (2024)

It’s prime time now for campfires on the beach and, of course, s’mores. And while we can’t get enough of the roasted marshmallow sandwich, it’s typically full of artificial ingredients.

“They’re just so delicious that we don’t think about its nutritional value,” Maria Rodriguez, a certified diabetes educator at Mount Sinai, tells The Post. “It has lots of carbs, sugar and processed ingredients.”

While a s’more is never going to be a superfood, it is possible to tweak to make it a bit healthier. Here’s how.

Marshmallows

These fluffy confections are usually made with high-fructose corn syrup, a sweetener found in many processed foods that has been linked to higher obesity rates than consuming regular sugar. It’s also made with gelatin, which isn’t vegan-friendly and can upset your digestive tract. For alternatives, try the vegan marshmallows from Dandies ($5.19 for a 10-ounce pack at Whole Foods), which have natural sugar and are free of artificial ingredients. Trader Joe’s also recently started selling its own vegan marshmallows ($2.99 for a 10-ounce package) made without gelatin, corn syrup or artificial flavors.

Graham crackers

Nabisco’s Honey Maid Graham Crackers, a campfire standby, are made with processed wheat flour, so they’re low in fiber (1 gram per serving), and are packed with artificial sweeteners, with 8 grams of sugar per serving.

Rodriguez says it’s possible to do better. “Look for crackers with at least 2 grams of fiber so you can get some nutrition out of each bite,” she says.

Mi-Del Honey Grahams ($4.25 for a 16-ounce pack at Jet.com) are made with whole wheat flour and contain 3 grams of fiber and only 6 grams of sugar per serving. Julian Bakery’s Paleo Thin Crackers, made with almond flour ($9.75 for an 8.4-ounce box at ThriveMarket.com), contain 2 grams of fiber, 70 calories and flaxseed, which can also help control cholesterol.

Chocolate

Although the makers of Hershey’s milk chocolate, a s’mores fave, recently switched to all natural ingredients like pure cane sugar and locally sourced milk, near its Pennsylvania headquarters, it still packs fewer nutrients than dark chocolate. Darker barks contain more cocoa, which has flavonoids that help control blood pressure.

“In moderation, the cocoa in chocolate is a great source of anti-oxidants that can improve blood flow,” Rodriguez says.