Snacks, as a small blessing in daily life, are often our first choice to relieve hunger and satisfy taste buds. However, many seemingly harmless or even “healthy” snacks actually hide nutritional traps that are extremely threatening to the body. Nutrition experts point out that frequent intake of these snacks may not only lead to weight gain, but also increase the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease and diabetes. This article will reveal five popular snacks that nutritionists warn to avoid, helping you make wise choices.
1. Nutri Grain Blueberry Cereal Bar
- Nutrition Highlights
Each bar contains 130 calories, 3.5 grams of fat (including 0.5 grams of saturated fat), 120 mg of sodium, 25 grams of carbon water (including 1 gram of fiber, up to 13 grams of sugar), and 2 grams of protein. - Hidden Risks
Although the packaging claims to be whole grains, it actually contains a variety of added sugars (such as corn syrup, fructose, etc.) and a variety of food additives. The sugar content far exceeds the daily recommendation, and the fiber content is extremely low, which is a highly processed food.
2. Snyder’s of Hanover Spicy Buffalo Pretzel Bits
- Nutrition Highlights
Each serving (about 1/3 cup) contains 130 calories, 7 grams of fat (3.5 grams of saturated fat), 370 mg of sodium, 16 grams of carbon water, less than 1 gram of fiber, and 2 grams of protein. - Hidden Risks
High saturated fat and sodium content, and very little fiber, long-term intake is extremely detrimental to heart health. Delicious food can easily lead to overeating, increasing the health burden.
3. Bobo’s Original Oatmeal Bars
- Nutrition Highlights
Half a bar contains 170 calories, 6 grams of fat (4 grams of saturated fat), 65 mg of sodium, 27 grams of carbon water (including 2 grams of fiber, 10 grams of sugar), and 3 grams of protein. - Hidden risks
Many people ignore the “half stick” portion marked on the package. Eating a whole stick means consuming 340 calories, 8 grams of saturated fat and 20 grams of sugar. Both sugar and calories are high, far exceeding the standard of healthy snacks.
4. Fig Newtons Fig Sandwich Biscuits
- Nutrition highlights
Each two pieces contain 200 calories, 4 grams of fat (1 gram of saturated fat), 180 mg of sodium, 41 grams of carbon water (less than 1 gram of fiber, up to 24 grams of sugar), and 2 grams of protein. - Hidden risks
Although it contains fig ingredients, the amount of added sugar is huge, and it contains artificial flavors and additives. Excessive sugar intake can easily induce obesity and metabolic diseases.
5. Hostess Ding Dongs Chocolate Sandwich Cake
- Nutrition Highlights
Each two pieces contain 310 calories, 16 grams of fat (10 grams of saturated fat), 290 milligrams of sodium, 42 grams of carbohydrates (including 1 gram of fiber, 31 grams of sugar), and 2 grams of protein. - Hidden Risks
The sugar and saturated fat content is extremely high, exceeding the daily recommended upper limit of intake, which seriously threatens cardiovascular health. It is actually a “snack disguised as a dessert” and should not be eaten frequently.
Nutritionist’s Advice
The American Heart Association recommends that adults consume no more than 13 grams of saturated fat, no more than 2,300 milligrams of sodium per day, and no more than 6 teaspoons of sugar for women and no more than 9 teaspoons for men. The above snacks are far beyond these standards, and the fiber content is low, which makes it difficult to provide a sense of fullness, but it is easy to lead to excessive intake.
When choosing snacks, be sure to read the nutrition label carefully and be wary of hidden sugars and fats. Prioritize healthy snacks that are natural, low in processing, rich in fiber and protein, such as nuts, fruits, Greek yogurt, etc., to truly meet the body’s needs and help healthy living.
Snacks may be small, but they have a big impact on health. As the writer Hemingway said: “True wisdom is knowing when to say no.” Let us learn to make wise choices in the world of snacks, stay away from those “delicious traps”, and build a solid health defense line for the body.
