When you choose the right ones, snacks can be a good part of a healthy diet and a great way to stay satiated between meals. However, many of the most popular ones out there are actually terrible for your overall health and could be holding you back from your weight loss goals. If you’re a frequent snacker, cutting back on these processed foods could do wonders for reducing your belly fat and helping you achieve the body of your dreams this summer.
To discover a few of the worst options out there, we spoke to registered dietitian and nutritionist Krutika Nanavati and Heather Hanks, a nutritionist at Medical Solutions Barcelona. They told us that although they’re delicious, potato chips, French fries, cookies, and processed granola bars are among the biggest culprits of weight gain. Read on to learn more about the risks of each.
4. Processed Granola Bars
Packed with hidden sugars, preservatives, and refined grains, seemingly wholesome granola bars can disrupt metabolic balance, leading to increased calorie intake, gut issues, and potential weight gain.
“Granola bars are the worst ‘healthy’ food for weight loss because they are full of inflammatory ingredients that prevent weight loss, including refined sugars and grains. Many food manufacturers claim that their granola bars are healthy because they contain oats, but the added ingredients in granola bars are what makes them so unhealthy,” says Hanks. Choose minimally processed, low-sugar options whenever possible.
1. Potato Chips
Potato chips are one the most popular—if not the most popular, point blank—snacks out there. They're crunchy, salty, greasy, and, frankly, delicious. However, while they're certainly pleasing to your taste buds, Nanavati says your waistline will tell a different story.
"Potato chips contain extra flavoring, additives, sodium and sugar," she warns. "Out of all the fat causing offenders, potato chips are the worst! Eating potato chips can cause the body to store excess calories as fat because it's high in unhealthy fats and carbohydrates."
Sodium, in particular is one additive that could lead to a range of health complications, including weight gain. "Along with a dangerous amount of sodium, a bag of chips can also be high in trans-fat," Nanavati warns. "Go for healthy snacks like celery or kale chips."
2. French Fries
Next time you pull up to the drive thru for a quick bite, Nanavati urges you to stay away from those deviously delicious French fries. "A typical helping of French fries contains around 430 calories, making it a high calorie food," she tells us. "Made with potatoes and deep fried in oil, French fries are a quick ticket to weight gain." All that oil can have serious consequences on your health and will definitely make it difficult to reach your goal weight this summer.
There are a few other issues at hand, too. "Often eaten along with other junk foods, ketchup and topped sometimes with melted cheese, these also increase your risk of overeating," Nanavati points out. "There are better alternatives like sweet potato fries, crispy green beans or baked potato."
3. Cookies
This one may be hard for those of us who have a serious sweet tooth, but if a smaller waist is what you're after, limiting your intake of sugary foods like cookies is one important step to take.
"No matter how inviting they may seem, if you are looking to lose weight be ready to cut them out," Nanavati says. "A single Oreo cookie contains 52 calories and nobody can have just one! Made by combining butter, eggs, refined flour and artificial flavoring and topped off with unhealthy toppings, these are big offenders."
The high sugar content is perhaps the biggest issue with baked goods like cookies. It's no secret that sugar can take a serious toll on your health and that excessive intake frequently results in weight gain. You're better off sticking to healthier sweet treats instead.
The bottom line
Of course, while limiting your intake of fattening snacks like these is always a good idea for your overall health—especially if you're trying to lose weight—indulging a little bit here and there certainly won't kill you. However, staying away from potato chips, French fries, and cookies is one good way to support healthy weight loss and help your body thrive.
