1. Potato chips, crackers, corn puffs
2. Granola, granola bars, and energy bars
3. Pastries and bakery items
4. Frozen snack foods (pizza rolls, soft pretzels, etc.)
5. Fruit-flavored yogurt parfaits
6. Frozen fruit bars (made with whole fruit)
7. Trail mix
"Trail mix can be healthy, especially if you make your own with healthier cereals, nuts, seeds, dried fruit," Larson said.
According to Larson, "These types of refreshing snacks with no added sugars are a better choice for the summer than ice cream."
"These are not the healthiest yogurt choice because of the sugary fruit and granolas or 'crunch' they often add to these portable store-bought yogurt parfaits," Larson said. "Not the worst choice, but not the best either because of the added sugar content."
"These are high in sodium, and often high in saturated fats and calories," Larson said.
According to Larson, "Items like bakery breads have no fiber or minerals because they are so refined. They can also be very high in calories."
"Most of these are glorified candy bars with few healthy ingredients," Larson said. "Most of these are high in added sugars and total fat; some even have saturated fats (the kind we are supposed to keep to less than 10% of our total calories) and very little nutrition."
"It's better to make your own granola where you can control the ingredients, sugar, and amount of oils used in making them," she adds.
According to Larson, "These snacks are filled with air and loaded with sodium, fat, and calories." "Most of these have virtually no nutrition or fiber in them because they are so highly processed."
"Junk foods like these should be looked at as a very once-in-a-while indulgence — not a regular snack choice."
