When choosing a snack, you should definitely look at the composition, give preference to natural products that do not contain artificial additives, dyes and preservatives, as well as salt. The ideal option for this are snacks made from whole grains, nuts, seeds and fruits. Such products contain many beneficial substances, including vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fiber. Olga Dekker, a nutritionist who is a member of the National Association of Dietitians and Nutritionists and the European Association for the Study of Obesity, told socialbites.ca.
The least harmful snacks, according to the expert, are toasted whole-grain or rye bread and nuts that are cooked without added fat and excess salt. In addition, baked apple, kiwi or spicy banana slices, rice or cereals cooked without added salt and sugar will do the least harm to health.
“The fact that these foods are lower in salt, fat and sugar and rich in vitamins and minerals makes them healthier. But even here it is important to understand that even the least harmful salty snacks should not be the basis of the diet. “It’s best to eat a varied and balanced diet that includes plenty of fresh fruit, vegetables, protein foods and healthy fats,” she said.
He noted that it is important to pay attention to other indicators when choosing a snack. For example, the fat content of the product. The smaller it is, the better for health. The expert also noted that snacks with high amounts of saturated fat, trans fat and sugar are considered the most unhealthy. These can be chips, crackers, snacks based on palm oil, salted nuts with the addition of various dyes, flavors and preservatives.
“Regular consumption of such snacks can lead to a number of diseases such as obesity, diabetes, hypertension and high blood cholesterol levels. In addition, some snacks may contain high amounts of sodium, which can cause water retention in the body and deterioration of the cardiovascular system,” Olga Dekker warned.
Former nutritionist refuted the myth that all “E” additives in food are harmful.