4 Things to Look Out For While Buying Healthy Snacks
Healthy snacking is a fad right now and for good reason. We tend to reach out to quick bites more often than our lunch boxes, which means that they constitute almost half of our daily food intake. This brings forth the necessity to make every bite count, and not let it carry us towards diseases like diabetes. If you are new to healthy snacking or want to cover your basics to make the right choice, the following four criteria are sure to be of help.
No Preservatives
Preservatives vary from natural ones like salt, vinegar, and sugar, to chemicals synthesized in labs. Chemicals like sulfur dioxide, nitrite, etc are some of the common preservatives used in packaged foods. These have been linked to an increased occurrence of cancer in consumers. Even baking soda, a common household item that’s also used as a preservative can raise your blood pressure, according to studies. It has been found that some preservatives may also cause the growth of tumours. So, it is best to pick foods that have no preservatives.
Low Fat, Low Calories
There is no point in looking for healthy snacks if you’re going to pick up bags of stuff that have high amounts of fats and calories. Don’t let your quick between-meal nibble turn into a calorie bomb, make your calories count. Look at the calories on the label and compare them with the nutrients they offer. Look for foods low in saturated and trans fats, and cholesterol, to help reduce the risk of heart disease. Most of the fats you eat should be polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats, such as those in nuts and vegetable oils.
No Artificial Flavours Or Colors
Food flavors and colorings are commonly used to enhance the natural properties of chemical substances found in foods. While artificial colorings are used to make foods look more appealing, flavorings are added to enhance existing flavor or add new flavor to otherwise bland products. Some of these substances are related to ailments like allergic reactions, food hypersensitivity, worsening of asthmatic symptoms, abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, etc. Recent concerns include a possible link between food additives and neurological development, including Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children.
Non-GMO
Since Genetically-Modified Foods (GMO) are a relatively new range of foods in the market, little is known about their long-term effects and safety. There are many purported downsides, but the evidence isn’t solid as of now, and the main health issues associated with GMO foods are hotly debated. While some believe that GMO foods have a higher potential to trigger allergic reactions, others believe that eating GMO foods can contribute to the development of cancer. There is also a concern that genetic modification, which can boost a crop’s resistance to disease or make it more tolerant to herbicides, could affect the ability of people to defend against illness. Owing to this ambiguity, it is better to stay away from GMO foods and snacks, until the concerns are cleared.
Now that you know what to look for in healthy snacks, let us make the right choice, like Hungrezi’s Vaccum-Fried Veggies, where taste and nutrition go hand-in-hand. Happy snacking!