The 10 Least Unhealthy Junk Foods To Snack On & The 10 Worst For Your Health
The 10 Least Unhealthy Junk Foods To Snack On & The 10 Worst For Your Health
Everyone loves snacking, but let's be honest - it isn't the healthiest thing to do. That is, most popular snacks aren't very good for your body. They tend to be loaded with sugars, salts, or fats that can contribute to plenty of health implications. That's why we're here to introduce to you 10 of the least unhealthy junk foods that you can feel guiltless about.
1. Dark Chocolate
Did you ever think you'd one day hear the words "chocolate is healthy"? Well, don't get too excited yet because we are talking about a specific type. Dark chocolate, particularly if it contains 70% cocoa or more, is actually good for you when eaten in moderation. It contains antioxidants, is much lower in sugar, and can even provide some mood-boosting benefits!
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2. Popcorn
Popcorn that's air-popped and not smothered in butter can actually be a healthy whole grain snack that's high in fiber and low in calories. It's especially great for those of you who love munching - it's the perfect snack to keep grabbing more of! If you're craving a bit of extra flavour, consider a sprinkle of nutritional yeast or salt.
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3. Veggie Chips
If you can't stay away from chips, try switching up the ingredients they're made from. Veggie chips made from sliced vegetables like sweet potatoes, beets, or kale can be a crunchy and healthier alternative to the regular potato chip. Instead of fried versions, opt for baked or dehydrated ones! Still, always be careful of the sodium count.
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4. Greek Yogurt and Honey
Instead of devouring unhealthy creamy desserts like pudding or ice cream, turn your head towards Greek yogurt! Drizzling a little bit of honey is the perfect and healthy way to get that creamy texture with a hint of sweetness. You get the added benefit of incorporating protein and probiotics to your diet too!
5. Nut Mixes
Unsalted or lightly salted nuts are another munchable snack that's a good alternative to most unhealthy ones. Providing a good source of protein, healthy fats, and fiber, you should aim for mixes that have almonds, walnuts, and cashews. Always read the label though to avoid bags with added sugars or excessive salt to keep them in the "healthier" snack category.
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6. Rice Cakes with Avocado
If you love chips and dip, we've got a fun, healthier alternative for you to try. How about...rice cakes with avocado? Crunchy and fun to eat, top off your rice cakes with some creamy avocado slices for a good mix of carbohydrates and healthy fats. It's a lot more satisfying to eat than you'd think, and much lower in calories than similar snack options!
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7. Dried Seaweed
More popular with Asian cultures, dried seaweed snacks are both low in calories and rich in vitamins. Just be careful of the sodium content, as you should with any snack.
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8. Hummus and Carrot Sticks
For a nutritious snack that's fun to dip, try making some hummus from chickpeas to create a flavourful pairing with some carrot sticks. Rich in fiber and protein, using carrots is the perfect vehicle to complement your hummus. It'll fill you up too - but without all the added calories.
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9. Frozen Fruit Bars
Frozen fruit bars are a much healthier alternative to ice cream cones or popsicles. You can either buy them at the store or make them at home yourself! If you're considering the storebought route, just make sure you read the ingredients list to make sure fruit is listed as the first ingredient and that the product contains minimal added sugars.
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10. Whole Wheat Pretzels
While they're not exactly the most healthy of snacks, they are a healthier option for those of you who love the taste. All you pretzel lovers, try whole wheat options instead! Offering more fiber compared to traditional ones made from refined flour, these are a lot better to enjoy every now and then. Without all those sugars, salts, and cheeses, it's a better way to enjoy this snack.
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1. Movie Theater Popcorn
While air-popped popcorn is a great healthy snack to enjoy, we can't exactly say the same about movie theatre popcorn. Although it's addictive, it's all because it's covered in butter and salt. Those two things aren't exactly healthy for you as you should know!
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2. Nachos with Cheese
Nachos made with refined tortilla chips, loads of heavy, melted cheese, and additional toppings like sour cream are incredibly high in calories, sodium, and unhealthy fats. It may be your favourite pub food, but is it really worth snacking on something that easily exceeds your daily sodium and saturated fat limit in one sitting?
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3. Candy Bars
You've probably been waiting for this to appear. The classic candy bar - what every parent warns their kids about eating too much of. High in sugar, fats, and calories, these little goodies offer pretty much zero nutritional value. It's not just the chocolate, many of these have other additions like caramel, nougat, and toffee that all work together to spike your blood sugar.
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4. Deep-Fried Twinkies
Okay, Twinkies are already very unhealthy but we did say these are the 10 worst snacks for your health, so we're taking it up a notch to write about deep-fried Twinkies. As you can expect, taking a sugary snack cake and deep-frying it only increases its calories, sugars, and trans fat count. Everything about this snack just screams "excessive!"
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5. Potato Chips
Potato chips are probably the most popular snack across the country. Maybe even across the world! They're easy to snack on, have a great crunch, and come in a variety of flavours. They do everything they can to draw you in, and once you're hooked, you're left with all the negative health risks. Potato chips are loaded in saturated fats and sodium, which can cause plenty of complications like heart disease and hyper tension. It's important for you to know so that you can take appropriate measures to cut back!
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6. Mega Stuffed Oreos
Not just regular Oreos, not just double-stuffed, we're talking mega stuffed over here! Nearly triple the amount of cream compared to the original Oreo, just think of it as triple the amount of sugar going into your body. Packed with so much sugar and fats in each cookie, just one cookie will significantly increase your calorie intake while offering little to no nutritional benefit.
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7. Cinnamon Roll
Although the smell of freshly-baked cinnamon rolls will always capture your attention, do your best to resist! Loaded in sugar and fat, especially when they're topped with rich icing or cream cheese frosting, one large cinnamon roll might contain as many calories and sugar as a full meal. It's definitely not something you want to be snacking on the regular.
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8. Loaded Cheese Fries
Basically following the same logic as nachos with cheese, loaded cheese fries are beyond unhealthy. When they're loaded with the usual favourites like bacon and creamy dressings, you can only imagine how high the calories, fats, and sodium are. It's one snack that will ruin any diet, easily contributing to weight gain and increased risk of cardiovascular diseases if eaten on the regular.
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9. Pork Rinds
High in saturated fats and cholesterol, it might be a good idea to stay away from pork rinds (or fried pork skins) if you love them and eat them regularly. They're an awfully salty snack that only leads to bad things; they're not the best choice if you're looking out for your heart health, that's for sure.
10. Cream-Filled Pastries
While you might think that the tastiest pastries are the ones filled with cream, we're also here to tell you that they're the most unhealthy. Packed with sugars, refined flours, and fats, this combination of cream and dough is one extremely calorie-dense one. It's probably one of the least healthy snack options out there for you.
