Most of the time, we reach for our snacks without a second thought—especially when they’re unassuming and marketed as healthy. Unfortunately, though, many of your go-to options may be slowing your metabolism, worsening inflammation, and throwing a wrench in your weight loss goals, even if they appear to be good for you. If you’re trying to make a change and get on the track to a healthier body this year, making smarter snacking decisions is crucial.
To help you out, we spoke to health experts Krutika Nanavati, Jesse Feder, and Lisa Richards, registered nutritionist and creator of The Candida Diet, to highlight three seemingly healthy snack options that could actually be holding you back from the body of your dreams. They warned against granola, energy bars, and flavored yogurt. Learn more about the risks of each below.
1. Sugary Granola
Granola is one common ingredient added to otherwise healthy yogurt parfaits. in fact, since it's made with many healthy ingredients like nuts and oats, it's often viewed as a nutritious choice for breakfast. The ruth is, though, that many types of granola you'll find at the store are actually quite bad for you.
"Granola is typically loaded with added sugars, unhealthy fats, and calories," Feder says. "The high amount of sugar and fats can cause inflammation throughout the GI tract and body. This can lead to a slower metabolism as well." Say it ain't so!
But that doesn't mean all granola is a definite no-go. "I recommend looking for granola that does not have a lot or any added sugars and have a simple ingredient list," Feder says. "You can also opt for making your own homemade granola so you can control what goes into it." Great idea.
2. Energy Bars
When you're in a rush, an easy-to-grab energy bar is often seen as a great on-the-go snack. These bars are also typically marketed as healthy options. However, they're usually highly processed and loaded with sugar and other additives.
"Numerous energy bars available in the market are laden with excessive sugar and calories, bearing a striking resemblance to candy bars in terms of their nutritional composition," Nanavati warns. As we've already noted, consuming too much sugar is one way to set yourself up for higher levels of inflammation and a less efficient metabolism.
But there is one solution: make your own energy bars with whole foods! "Making energy bars at home allows for control over the ingredients used, ensuring a lower sugar content and a higher proportion of wholesome, nutrient-dense ingredients like nuts, seeds, and dried fruits," Nanavati says. Got it!
3. Flavored Yogurt
Flavored yogurt, though often marketed as a convenient and tasty snack, can be linked to a slow metabolism when laden with added sugars and artificial flavorings. The excessive sugar content in flavored yogurts can contribute to insulin resistance, potentially disrupting metabolic processes over time.
"Some flavored yogurts can be high in added sugars, which can contribute to weight gain and other health problems if consumed in excess," Richards adds.
"Furthermore, weight gain occurs when there is a calorie surplus, which means consuming more calories than the body burns through physical activity and normal metabolic processes."
Choosing healthier alternatives involves opting for plain (Greek yogurt is a great alternative), unsweetened yogurt and adding natural sweetness through fresh fruits or a drizzle of honey.
