A seemingly healthy granola bar may have as many calories as a pastry or cookie.” “Choosing foods that fit into your calorie budget is a good starting place. “Since most packaged foods have a Nutrition Facts label, one of the best ways to compare snack choices is to look at the label,” says Massey. An occasional bowl of chips or handful of candy won’t do lasting damage, just don’t make it a daily habit. The majority of a healthy diet should include whole foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein and nutrient-rich foods. “Conversely, snacking on an apple won’t offset eating a basket of fried steak fingers and onion rings on a regular basis.”Įven cheat items like candy, cookies and soda can be incorporated into a healthy diet as long as they are eaten as a rare snack. “Marshmallows aren’t going to win any nutrition awards but enjoying a few isn’t a problem when mixed into a diet that otherwise includes a variety of healthy food from the food groups,” Massey says. So-called junk foods don’t contribute many nutrients, but may still be incorporated for ‘fun’ within the broader picture. “How can you tell if your so-called healthy snack is junk food? All food choices are on a continuum where the nutrient density (quality) varies,” she says. It simply boils down to the quality of nutrients you are getting from your food. So how do you snack in the healthiest way possible? We’ve asked an expert! Is my healthy snack really healthy?Ī former dietician at INTEGRIS Health, Karen Massey, says all foods can be healthy or unhealthy.

Even granola, which is the healthy snack of choice for many, isn’t as healthy as you think – thanks to added sugar and the huge portion size most people eat.

Thanks to slick marketing campaigns and misleading information, many snacks you think are healthy are really sneaking in calories you’d never suspect.ĭespite your best efforts in choosing healthier snacks, many choices might be sabotaging your health and your weight. Unhealthy foods and snacks are part of the reason that Americans are more obese and sicker than ever before. But really, there are a lot of foods perceived as “healthy” that are packed with hidden calories and sugar. Many people think fat-free cookies are a healthier option than a regular cookie, and that choosing a chef salad is a much better choice than a cheeseburger.

Healthy food snacks