Snacking is a time that everyone looks forward to, whether young or old! Eating your favorite treats is a great way to keep your energy up during the day, but the truth is that most snacks are not so great for your health and are simply empty calories. Some snacks can even impact your heart.
While there are tons of healthier options out there, a lot of popular snacks are usually packed with unhealthy fats, sugar, and high levels of sodium. Together, these can raise your cholesterol, increase blood pressure, and lead to inflammation—bad news for your heart!
To learn about two popular snack items to avoid for your heart health, we checked in with nutritionists Mary Sabat, Susan Schachter, and Lisa Richards. They revealed to us that sadly, cheese puffs and mozzarella sticks are among the worst options. Learn more about the downsides to each below.
1. Cheese Puffs
Cheese puffs are finger-lickin' good, but it may come at a cost! They are sodium-rich, highly processed, and so easy to eat by the handful. All of these factors can lead to clogged arteries and poor heart health.
"Cheese puffs and similar cheesy snacks are often made with partially hydrogenated oils, which contain trans fats," Sabat warns. "These trans fats raise bad cholesterol (LDL) levels and lower good cholesterol (HDL), contributing to arterial plaque buildup."
Schachter agrees and adds, "These cheesy snacks are not only highly processed but also contain high levels of saturated and trans fats. Regular consumption can lead to elevated cholesterol levels, arterial inflammation, and the buildup of fatty deposits in the arteries."
2. Mozzarella sticks
There's a reason these gooey stick are so popular as a movie theater snack! If you prefer real cheese to the puffs, you're probably a fan of fried, cheesy mozzarella sticks—but your heart isn't. This beloved snack can be pretty bad for your heart health if consumed frequently, Richards warns.
"Mozzarella sticks are considered an artery-clogging snack due to their high levels of unhealthy fats and refined carbohydrates," she says. "These sticks are typically coated in a batter and deep-fried, which not only increases their calorie content but also introduces trans fats and saturated fats from the frying oil."
Richards adds that "trans fats and saturated fats are known to raise LDL (bad) cholesterol levels, contributing to the buildup of plaque in arteries, increasing the risk of atherosclerosis and heart disease." Meanwhile, "The refined carbohydrate content in the batter and breading can lead to spikes in blood sugar levels, potentially impacting insulin sensitivity and promoting inflammation," making matters worse for your whole body, including your heart.
"Regular consumption of mozzarella sticks, along with other fried and high-fat foods, can have detrimental effects on cardiovascular health and overall well-being," Richards concludes.
Instead, experts recommend sticking to these healthier snacks instead.
