9 “Healthy” Store-Bought Snacks Causing Weight Gain

By Ghuman

Introduction

Snacking is an important part of a healthy diet, but it can be difficult to find snacks that are both healthy and convenient. Many store-bought snacks are marketed as healthy, but they can actually be loaded with sugar, fat, and calories that can lead to weight gain. In this article, we will discuss nine “healthy” store-bought snacks that can actually cause weight gain. We will look at the nutritional content of each snack and provide tips on how to make healthier choices.

9 “Healthy” Store-Bought Snacks Causing Weight Gain

It’s easy to think that store-bought snacks are healthy, but many of them are actually causing weight gain. Here are nine “healthy” snacks that are actually causing you to gain weight.

1. Granola Bars

Granola bars are often marketed as a healthy snack, but they can be full of sugar and calories. Many granola bars contain more sugar than a candy bar, so it’s important to read the nutrition label before you buy.

2. Dried Fruit

Dried fruit can be a great snack, but it’s important to watch your portion size. Dried fruit is much higher in calories than fresh fruit, so it’s easy to overeat and end up consuming too many calories.

3. Trail Mix

Trail mix is another snack that can be full of calories and sugar. Many trail mixes contain chocolate, candy, and other high-calorie ingredients that can add up quickly.

4. Protein Bars

Protein bars are often marketed as a healthy snack, but many of them are actually full of sugar and calories. It’s important to read the nutrition label before you buy to make sure you’re getting a healthy snack.

5. Yogurt

Yogurt can be a healthy snack, but many store-bought yogurts are full of sugar and calories. Look for yogurts with low sugar and high protein to get the most nutritional benefit.

6. Popcorn

Popcorn can be a healthy snack, but many store-bought varieties are full of butter and salt. Look for popcorn with no added butter or salt to get the most nutritional benefit.

7. Fruit Juice

Fruit juice can be a healthy snack, but many store-bought varieties are full of sugar and calories. Look for 100% fruit juice with no added sugar to get the most nutritional benefit.

8. Crackers

Crackers can be a healthy snack, but many store-bought varieties are full of fat and calories. Look for crackers with whole grains and low fat to get the most nutritional benefit.

9. Energy Drinks

Energy drinks can be a convenient snack, but they are full of sugar and calories. Look for energy drinks with no added sugar to get the most nutritional benefit.

When purchasing on the grocery retailer for easy, transportable snacks you may simply have readily available all through the day for a wholesome chew that may assist in your weight reduction efforts, you are most likely going to lean towards a sure sort of snack. And people are the choices which were touted as healthful and clear within the well being and wellness world. That makes essentially the most sense, in any case.

But, some store-bought snacks have gotten a “well being halo” from wellness bloggers or aesthetic, reasonably than from their precise diet labels. And since these are pre-made and processed, they might turn out to be unhealthy in a short time just because they’re combined with lower than stellar components. Suppose path combine, for instance, that comprises wholesome almonds and pistachios however can also be loaded up with white chocolate chips, sweetened coconut, and a glazed, sugary coating. All of that simply turns this wholesome snack meals right into a sugar-filled dessert.

To assist make your meals purchasing adventures simpler, we requested an knowledgeable to weigh-in and uncover some seemingly “wholesome” snacks which are truly doing extra injury than it’s possible you’ll suppose, particularly if you happen to’re making an attempt to drop extra pounds. And when you’re making more healthy selections, make sure you fill up on The 7 Healthiest Meals to Eat Proper Now.

Drinkable yogurt kefir
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Seize-and-go yogurt is a brilliant handy strategy to get your yogurt repair, however you need to ensure you’re sticking to the best sort.

“Greek yogurt makes for a simple on-the-go breakfast choice, however when it is loaded with sugar and added flavors, this seemingly wholesome merchandise raises blood sugar ranges and might simply contribute to weight acquire,” says Ilyse Schapiro MS, RD, CDN. Chobani Drinkable Yogurt, for instance, is Schapiro’s no-no. As an alternative, go together with the unsweetened Greek yogurt Chobani cup varieties and add in your personal wholesome toppings, like recent fruit or nuts and seeds.

Should you’re trying to cook dinner extra of your personal meals, listed here are 100+ wholesome breakfast concepts that enable you to drop extra pounds and keep slim.

Granola
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“A small serving of store-bought granola can provide extra energy, carbohydrates, and sugar to your initially wholesome, plain Greek yogurt,” says Schapiro, and makes use of KIND Vanilla Blueberry Granola with Flax Seeds as an excellent instance. “With solely 5 grams of protein, you may anticipate to really feel hungry in a short while and end up reaching for a second or third serving,” she says. As an alternative, go together with a KIND bar if you happen to like!

ice cream
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Lightened ice cream that’s packing simply 400 energy a pint sounds nice, however let’s be frank—not many individuals stick with consuming only one serving at a time.

“Though one serving of Halo Prime is taken into account a lower-calorie ice cream, it is doubtless that you simply’re shopping for this merchandise with the intention of ending the whole pint,” Schapiro says. “A full carton of Halo Prime could also be equal to at least one single serving of different ice lotions, however consuming three servings of any dessert is assured to intervene with weight reduction,” she explains.

Banana chips
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When unsure, you are higher off consuming recent fruit.

“Though banana is its solely ingredient, BARE Merely Banana Chips comprise no fiber, excessive quantities of sugar, and supply little to no dietary worth,” Schapiro says.

For a more healthy different, make your personal air-fried banana chips drizzled with olive oil and herbs.

nut and seed energy bars
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“The Nature Valley Oats and Honey Bar is a traditional granola bar that the majority of us can acknowledge however sadly it is excessive in carbohydrates, and low in fiber,” Schapiro says. Plus, the second ingredient listed is sugar, which implies the sugar it comprises is added sugar. One of these candy stuff can result in weight acquire and extra candy cravings, Schapiro provides. Go along with a protein bar as a substitute!

Veggie chips
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You’ll suppose going for veggie chips as a substitute of conventional potato chips can be a greater choice, however not so quick.

“Veggie chips sound wholesome, however except they’re home made they actually aren’t and store-bought veggie chips are usually excessive in sodium and low in fiber, such because the Good Well being Veggie Chips in Sea Salt,” Schapiro says. As a result of they’re “veggie chips” most individuals suppose it is OK to eat a ton at one time. This logic is harmful as it may well result in overeating.

trail mix
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Path combine seems to be wholesome, nevertheless it actually is not, as it’s excessive in energy, sugar, and fats.

“It is laborious to simply have just a little little bit of path combine, you sometimes have a number of handfuls which is tremendous calorie-dense and might result in weight acquire,” provides Schapiro. She factors out that Kar’s Candy n’ Salty Combine is just a food plan catastrophe.

Woman holding green juice beach
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“Inexperienced juice is all of the craze, however you actually should watch out as not all juices are created equal. The Bare Inexperienced Machine has 53 grams of sugar,” says Schapiro.

That is sufficient to lift your blood sugar plus trigger weight acquire if you happen to’re sipping on these usually. If you’re actually into inexperienced juice, you’re significantly better off making your personal at dwelling.

honey wheat pretzels
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Pretzels are by no means actually an incredible thought in relation to being a wholesome snack choice, as they’re only a refined and attractive snack, tricking you into pondering they’re a better option than a bag of chips. The issue with honey wheat particularly? They’re loaded with the candy stuff!

“Reality is, the serving measurement is [typically] for seven pretzels, which after all is difficult to stay to, and energy add up fast,” Schapiro says. Looking at UTZ Honey Wheat Pretzel Sticks, she notes “the third ingredient is sugar, [the] fourth ingredient is brown sugar, and [the] fifth ingredient is honey, that are all types of sugar.”