When you get hungry you want to eat. The problem is, most foods available are either unhealthy or processed with ingredients that add calories without energy. But that doesn’t change the fact that you need to eat something when you’re hungry between meals. These are 10 snacks that you should definitely avoid.
Sodas
Although the pop and fizz from opening a soda is satisfying to many, the contents inside are staggeringly unhealthy. If soda had a favorite number it would be 39. That’s how many grams of sugar are in the average 12-ounce can of cola. Soda may taste great but it has no vitamins or minerals and a ton of empty calories leaving you with high blood sugar and low energy. If you crave something fizzy, get a Soda Stream or similar carbonated beverage maker, stock up on 60l CO2 cylinder refill, and make flavored carbonated beverages rather than sodas.
Fast Foods
Not only does fast food contain lots of unhealthy fats, but it also has high levels of sodium and calories. Fast food products contain a high amount of refined sugar as well. All in all, this means your body will receive its macronutrients in all of the wrong ways.
Frozen Meals
No matter whether the package is labeled “healthy” or “lean”, frozen dinners are usually packed with unhealthy ingredients like trans fats, salt, and high fructose corn syrup. Frozen foods aren’t really the problem with frozen dinners as freezing food is a great method to preserve vitamins and minerals. Frozen fruits and vegetables are actually pretty good for you. All the extra additives are what make many frozen meals bad for you. A great alternative to frozen meals is the various vegan meal plans you can try out if you don’t have the time to prepare your own meals.
Energy Bars
Energy bars are marketed as a convenient, healthy choice to replace a meal when you’re hungry. They are supposed to be a good source of vitamins and minerals too. While some energy bars can have a significant amount of nutritional value, others are no better than eating a candy bar, with anywhere from 10 to 20 grams of sugar to give it a sweet, satisfying flavor.
Bread
Bread is packed with sugar and other carbs. Just two slices of bread could send your blood sugar soaring, containing somewhere around the equivalent of two tablespoons of sugar. There are healthy options for bread such as whole wheat bread and whole grain bread. Certain vegan meal plans may even include healthier bread options as well.
Trail Mix
Trail mix usually has nuts that are high in essential fats that help your body metabolize fat, protein, and carbs without clogging arteries. The downside is, the mix has a huge quantity of calories, from 131 to 706 per bag. Many of the most popular trail mixes include candy and dehydrated berries which might as well be candy.
Processed Meats
Linked with diseases like cancer and heart disease, processed meat contains harmful carcinogens that don’t show up in fresh meat. Processed meats contain N-nitroso compounds, which is a type of carcinogen. N-nitroso compounds damage the cells lining the bowels. Because of this, surrounding cells work harder to replace damaged cells. Rapid duplication can lead to mutations that cause cancer.
Microwave Popcorn
Popcorn can be a healthy snack if prepared the right way. As for the microwaved version, a bag of butter-flavored popcorn can contain up to 24 grams of fat, about 600 milligrams of salt, and around 600 calories. The bag is lined with protective chemicals like perfluoroalkyl, perfluorooctanoic acid, and perfluorooctane sulfonate to prevent grease from soaking the bag wet. Once heating begins, these chemicals get into the popcorn.
Eggs
Eggs are high in protein and cheap to buy, but they also have high levels of cholesterol. If you’re looking to avoid unnecessary fats, eggs should make that list.
Peanut Butter
Most nut butters are great. Peanut Butter contains monounsaturated fat, which can be good for your heart and blood vessels. Omega-6 fatty acid helps out with mental health and energy production. But most peanut butter that people buy is packed with added sugars which give you unnecessary calories.
When choosing a meal, remember what things to look for. Many companies don’t mention the dangers hiding inside processed food. It is always best to choose natural foods you can identify without using a dictionary.
