According to the surgeon general's office, obesity is an epidemic in the United States. Not only are a majority of adults overweight, but so are approximately 30 percent of children, some of whom are morbidly obese. Americans eat more fast food and high-fat, high-sugar snacks than ever before, and the worse the food choices, the worse the weight gain. According to the University of Michigan Medical School, snack foods bought from machines at school contribute to childhood obesity and the risk of health problems such as diabetes and coronary artery disease.
High-Fat Foods
High-fat foods are high in calories, and eating them regularly contributes to obesity and diseases like diabetes and heart disease. High-fat snacks include fried foods like donuts, pork rinds, fried chips and french fries. Besides containing too many fat calories, they seldom contain any healthy nutrients. The worst fat of all is trans fat, and many commercial snack foods contain it. According to the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, there is no safe level of trans fats in food. Consuming even small amounts contributes to higher serum cholesterol and heart disease.
High-Sugar Foods
Foods high in sugar contribute to obesity, diabetes and tooth decay. Sugary snacks have empty calories: no healthy nutrients, just sweet calories. Sugary snacks include candy, soda pop, cookies, cakes and pies, milk shakes, ice cream and frozen yogurt, unless it is specified on the label that they are low in sugar. Orange soda, for instance, is the sweetest soda and has the most sugar of all sodas. Energy drinks contain caffeine and sugar, often as much sugar as soda. Energy bars often are as sweet as candy bars and offer as little nutrition unless they are made from whole grains, fruits, nuts and seeds.
High-Salt Snacks
Salty snacks such as chips contribute to high blood pressure and weight gain. They often have a double or triple punch, being high-fat and full of empty sugars as well. Excessive salt is often hidden; you can't always tell by taste how much salt is in your food.
Worst Snacks
Some candidates for worst snacks are cheeseburgers, macaroni and cheese, nachos, french fries, tater tots and pizza, all of which are high in salt, fat and calories. Candy, ice cream, cookies, cakes, muffins and pies, as well as sodas, are candidates for worst sweet snacks. Processed meats such as bologna and hot dogs and processed cheese such as American are high in fat and salt.
References
- Office of the Surgeon General: Overweight and Obesity: At a Glance
- Harvard School of Public Health: Lower Salt and Sodium--A Key to Good Health
- Wellness Council of America: Wise Choice vs. Worst Choice
- Nutrition Action Newsletter: Liquid Candy
- Springville High School: Best (and Worst) Energy Drinks and Snacks
- University of Michigan Health System: Children Who Eat Vended Snack Foods Face Chronic Health Problems, Poor Diet
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