Twinkies

I've been looking for a healthy, wholesome source of fat and sugar so that I can make sure I get my needed daily requirements.  Luckily, a delicious and portable product is within reach - the Twinkie!

History: The Twinkie was invented around 1930, when a clever baking engineer named James Dewar noticed that automated strawberry shortcake machines were sitting idle during the non-strawberry season.  I can fix that! he said, and started filling the cakes with banana cream.  Due to banana rationing during World War II, the banana cream was replaced with vanilla cream and this has remained ever more.

Worldwide Production: According to Hostess, 500 million Twinkies were produced last year.

Eating and Processing: Please, all you need to know is just eat it.  Per Hostess, "they're just fun to eat."

Health Information: If you eat four (and who can't?) you'll achieve just under half of your daily needs for saturated fat (48%) and a bit more than third of your carbs (76 grams of sugar).  As an added bonus, you can get some salt in there for free, 880 mg worth.

Sustainability: These delectable morsels are individually wrapped in cellophane for your protection and enjoyment.  You can usually get another plastic bag to carry them in, especially if you obtain them at that most gourmet of marketplaces, the gas station.  And don't forget you are sustaining a real American brand, Hostess, every time you buy one!

Where to Find: Run, don't walk, to your nearest convenience store.

Bottom Line: Jimmy Dewar says it best: "Twinkies was the best darn-tootin' idea I ever had."

References:
1. Wikipedia
2. Twinkie nutrition facts
3. Image of a Twinkie replica "veginkie" from Flickr Creative Commons