Nowadays, ‘healthy’ snacks are becoming some of the hottest products on the market. Fitness influencers on social media, and sometimes even larger companies are always coming out with the best new ‘healthy’ snack alternative that consumers seem to just eat up- literally. Have you ever stopped to wonder what makes these snacks healthy? Or are they even really healthy at all? Let’s break down six healthy snack alternative that are currently on the market and see what we find.
Vegan Cookies
Just because it says "vegan" does not mean it’s healthy or better for you in any way. Many of these cookies are still made with refined flour and loads of sugar, leaving them lacking in the necessary nutrients and fiber. And let’s not talk about the calorie intake. If you’re not getting the necessary nutrients, it’s just a mixture of excess sugar and carbohydrates that your body does not need.
If you’re on the hunt or a nutritious sweet treat, make one yourself at home. Try using rolled oats, almond butter, chia seeds and nutrient rich ingredients to make a healthy treat all on your own. Dig through your pantry for nutrient-rich ingredients like rolled oats, almond butter and chia seeds, search for a healthy alternative on propaeats.com.
Gluten Free
Again, "gluten free" does not mean that the food you’re eating is healthy. Al that mans is that guten is removed from the equation- this is the ingreident that provides that delicious, chewy texture you love in breads and muffins. Usually, to offset what is now lacking, manufacturers add fillers like suga and other chemical-filled products. This also means that calories and carbs add up quicker than most.
Veggie Chips
You see those bags you pick up in the snack aisle? Yea, the ones with the fresh veggies on the front. Ok, if those veggies were really as ‘fresh’ as they claim, then why not just eat a carrot? Or a stick of celery? Why not use the real thing as opposed to buying processed snacks. More often than not, these chips are just regular ole potato chips sprinkled with some veggie powder for colouring. Take a close look at the calorie, carb, sodium and fat counts - sometimes these veggie chips are just as fattening as the potato chips you’re trying to avoid.
Why not try a healthier alternative at home? Thinly slice beets, sweet potatoes or carrots; drizzle them with some olive oil and sprinkle with some salt and pepper, then bake. You’ll have a much healthier option and a delicious snack. It’s not only better for you but also more cost effective.
Protein Bars
Yes, I said it. This hurts my heart too. Many of these protein bars contain the same amount of sugar as a candy bar with just a few more added grams of protein to make them ‘healthier’. Try getting your protein from more natural sources like; meat, poultry, legumes, beans, fish and eggs. These sources give you more protein from less questionable sources.
Cereals
Many of these branded, ‘smart’ cereals aren’t all that different from the sugary goodness you ate as a child. Try looking at the back of the box instead of the front when making your decision. The cereal should have fewer than 10 grams of sugar, have at least 5 grams of fiber and contain bran.
