Snacking has often been cast in a negative light—and with good reason. Many of us find ourselves reaching for the wrong foods to tide us over between meals, leading to unhealthy eating habits. Junk food serves as the go-to for countless snackers, but let’s be real: it does little more than satisfy a fleeting craving without offering any nutritional kick or helping to curb your appetite until dinner rolls around.
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Opting for unhealthy snacks can spiral into unwanted weight gain and increase your likelihood of developing chronic illnesses such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and more. It’s tempting, isn’t it? Who doesn’t crave something sweet or salty to appease a sudden urge? But beware, not all snacks are created equal! We talked to nutritionists, who’ve bravely stepped into the snack battlefield to identify five snacks that you should absolutely avoid and why.
Nutri Grain Bars Blueberry
Calories: 130
Fat: 3.5 g (saturated fat: .5g)
Sodium: 120 mg
Carbohydrates: 25 g (fiber: 1 g, sugar: 13g)
Protein: 2g
At first glance, Nutri Grain Bars seem like a wholesome snacking choice. However, Dawn Menning, a registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator with the new health app Nutu, has her reservations.
“You might think you’re grabbing a whole-grain snack, but what you’re really getting is a treat loaded with 12 grams of added sugar and just 1 gram of fiber,” she points out. “It’s packed with various types of sugar, preservatives, and processed ingredients. It’s more a candy bar in disguise than a nutritious option!”
Snyder’s of Hanover Pretzel Pieces, Hot Buffalo Wing
Calories: 130
Fat: 7g (saturated fat: 3.5 g)
Sodium: 370 mg
Carbohydrates: 16g (fiber: <1g, sugar: 0g)
Protein: 2g
You might think that Snyder’s Pretzel Pieces are irresistible, especially the Hot Buffalo Wing flavor, but they come at a cost. “These pretzels are high in saturated fat and sodium,” warns Menning. “They contain less than 1 gram of fiber, which means you won’t feel full, and you might find yourself reaching for more than just one serving.”
Bobo’s Oat Bar Original
Calories: 170
Fat: 6g (saturated fat: 4g)
Sodium: 65 mg
Carbohydrates: 27 g (fiber: 2g, sugar: 10g)
Protein: 3g
Initially, Bobo’s Oat Bar Original might strike you as a healthful choice. It markets itself with the tagline “healthy ingredients meet delicious taste,” but the reality is a bit different. “If you don’t pay attention to the serving size, you might unknowingly consume 340 calories and 20 grams of added sugar,” says Menning. “That’s more than half of your recommended daily added sugar intake!”
Fig Newtons
Calories: 200
Fat: 4g (saturated fat: 1g)
Sodium: 180 mg
Carbohydrates: 41g (fiber: <1g, sugar: 24g)
Protein: 2g
Another snack to steer clear of is Fig Newtons. “They may sound healthy thanks to figs, but they actually contain a hefty amount of added sugar—16 grams,” Menning cautions. “Excess sugar consumption can elevate your risks for obesity, diabetes, and a slew of other chronic conditions.” Not to mention they’re often laden with artificial flavors and additives.
Hostess Ding Dongs
Calories: 310
Fat: 16g (saturated fat: 10g)
Sodium: 290 mg
Carbohydrates: 42 g (fiber: 1g, sugar: 31g)
Protein: 2g
Topping our list of unhealthy snacks is none other than the infamous Hostess Ding Dongs. It’s essentially dessert masquerading as a snack. “With a whopping 31 grams of sugar, nearly all of which is added, and a staggering 16 grams of total fat—over half of which is saturated—this snack is a heart disease waiting to happen,” notes Michelle Rauch, MSc RDN, a registered dietitian with Actors Fund. “And if you’re not already running for the hills from those numbers, remember that the American Heart Association recommends keeping saturated fat to no more than 6% of your daily caloric intake.”
So there you have it: five beloved snacks that may not be as harmless as they seem. Next time those cravings hit, keep these insights close—your body will thank you! Report By Axadle
