The Worst Snacks to Have on a Diet
The Top Snacks With the Highest Calories
High calorie foods don’t necessarily mean they’re high in fat, or not good for you. Maybe you need to pack on pounds. Maybe you’re looking for the snacks that have the highest calories in order to avoid them. Choose wisely regarding fat content and sugars, or go whole-hog and pile on the fat and calories. We’ve assembled lists of both.
Healthier Choices:
- Any dry cereal (shredded wheat or puffed rice, granola, oat bran)
- Breads, including bagels, whole wheat, white, rye, pumpernickel, pretzels, crackers (including stoned wheat, sesame, bran)
- Energy bars or breakfast bars (look for low-sugar) can be an excellent source of carbs and proteins, in carefully controlled doses.
- Any fruit (they’re all high in carbohydrates) including dried or dehydrated can be a low-fat, easy source of calories and carbs.
- Nuts and seeds (including almond, pecans, peanuts, Brazil, cashews; seeds: pumpkin, sunflower)
- Dark Chocolate. It’s a serious source of antioxidants, and while sometimes fatty, it’s one of those foods that makes you feel fuller than you are.
- Cheese: Eaten in moderation, cheese is a great source of protein and calcium.
Less Healthy, High Calorie Snacks
- Anything with animal fat (lard, tallow, fish oils). While fish oils are essential in a balanced diet, too much of it is unhealthy and calorie-laden.
- Vegetable oils, including soy, peanut, palm, olive, canola. While the latter two are not hydrogenated, they’re still packed with calories, and a little goes a long way.
- Peanut butter/Almond butter: While a great source of protein, also packed with fat and calories.
- “Junk Food” (including salty snacks and candy). While enjoyable, they’re laden with sodium and sugars, making them a high-risk, high-calorie treat.
- Dairy, including cheeses, milk products (cream, half-and-half, cottage cheese, sour cream) can be healthy if eaten in moderation, and seriously fat- and calorie-laden if eaten in large portions.
- Fried foods: Because of the usually large servings and high content of vegetable or animal oil usually doled out in a normal serving, calories are high, as well as fat and the sodium in the salt they’re covered with.
- Processed Meats: That bologna you crave can be loaded with sodium and fat, although there are healthier choices available in the deli aisle. Sausages, pâtés, canned meats…all contain nitrates, super-high calories and high amounts of sodium, but are indeed a source of high calories, if that’s what you seek.
If you want to get a little more comprehensive, try a BIG snack, like a fruit and cream smoothie (or made with condensed, sweetened milk), trail mix (with chocolate chips, nuts and seeds), a fast food combo (including sandwich, large fries or onion rings and a large, non-diet soda), a milk shake, chicken pot pie (ANY pies for that matter), a big loaded baked potato (with real bacon bits, butter and sour cream), potato salad or coleslaw or a big piece of chocolate cake or cheesecake.
Calories are always out there. It’s just not that hard to find them; the challenge comes in how to find healthier calories. To find out more about what foods you should eat and which to avoid please visit the Food and Drink section on GKLife.
