Nov. 9. We all know that most processed food are loaded with salt, carbohydrate, fats. That besides makes them delightful, fun and easy to gorge on .
many of us are working or attending school from home just steps away from well-stocked pantries, working unlike schedules or gobbling down snacks in search of a little comfort during COVID-19. That means processed foods are more alluring than ever.
flush before the pandemic, 60 % of all calories consumed by Americans were from processed foods, which can “ lead to certain aesculapian conditions like diabetes, senior high school rake imperativeness and other cardiovascular diseases, ” said Jennifer Anderson Logan, registered dietician at Novant Health Heart & Vascular Institute, a department of Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center, in Charlotte .
As for artificial additives, we still don ’ metric ton understand their long-run effect on our health. “ Quite a bite of inquiry is going on right immediately regarding cancer, ” Anderson said, “ to determine how some of these preservatives, chemicals and food colorings may impact us in the farseeing test. ”
bottom lineage : “ The more we focus on eating minimally processed foods that are equally close as possible to their lifelike state, the better. ”
To that end, Logan offers the follow list of guilt-free, healthy processed foods that actually taste great. closely all of these are available in supermarkets, though you may need to hunt a spot. Product names and links included for context and clearness. These are not endorsements. other brands may offer like features .
RXBARs
Made with minimally processed, natural ingredients ; no artificial additives, preservatives or colors .
Contain pasteurized egg whites for protein ; naked nuts ( cashews, pecans, almonds ) for texture ; dates for their nutrients and pleasantness .
chocolate in RXBARs contains no add ingredients like dairy, soy or sugar .
Banana Chocolate Walnut bars are made with eight ingredients, and offer 3 grams of character and 12 grams of protein .
LÄRABAR fruit and nut bars
Each spirit has nine or fewer ingredients — some ampere few as two .
Contain lone unsweetened fruits, nuts and spices .
Ingredients are minimally processed, as close to their natural state as potential .
Cashew Cookies spirit contains alone two ingredients : cashews and dates ; Cherry Pie bars contain only three ingredients : dates, almonds and unsweetened cherries .
Triscuits
The “ Original ” and “ Hint of Salt ” flavors contain three childlike ingredients : unharmed wheat, vegetable oil ( soy or canola oil ) and sea salt .
One serving delivers 3 grams of protein and is a estimable reference of dietary roughage .
Triscuit Minis can be used as soup crackers .
Triscuit Thin Crisps have a igniter, dilutant texture than the brand ’ s master crackers .
Mary’s Gone Crackers
These seed and grain crackers are a great gluten-free option .
minimally processed, they have a rich, earthy spirit and a great crunch for those craving more texture .
Made with whole, plant-based ingredients, including organic whole grain brown university rice, quinoa, flax and sesame seeds ; filtered water ; sea salt ; organic wheat-free tamari .
The Super Seed variety show offers 5 grams of plant-based protein per serve .
Tribe Everything Hummus
Garlic, onions, poppyseeds — just like an “ everything bagel. ”
Made with natural ingredients, including cooked chickpeas, canola oil oil, tahini, dried garlic, fire roasted garlic, sea salt, sesame seeds, dried onion, spices and poppy seeds .
Contains no artificial preservatives. Citric acid ( found in citrus fruits like lemons ) is used as a natural preservative and season foil.
Tribe offers a variety of hummus flavors, so if you ’ re not an “ everything ” sports fan, you ’ ll find one that suits your tastes .
Harvest Snaps Green Pea Snack Crisps
Made from veridical park peas .
Contains only six ingredients : green peas, canola oil oil, rice, strategic arms limitation talks, calcium carbonate, vitamin C ( ascorbyl palmitate ) .
Vitamin C ( Ascorbyl palmitate ) used as a natural preservative .
calcium carbonate is an add reservoir of calcium and besides prevents caking .
Each serve besides offers potassium, iron and 5 grams of dietary fiber .
Biena Chickpea Snacks
Derived from the bible buen and bien, meaning “ good ” in spanish and french .
Crunchy, roasted chickpeas, naturally gluten spare, and most flavors are vegan .
Sea Salt relish contains three ingredients : chickpeas, sunflower oil and sea salt .
Comes in a boastfully bag arsenic well as 1.2 oz. bite size portions .
Blue Diamond Classic Snack Almonds
Almonds contain protein, goodly fats, magnesium and vitamin E .
Roasted salt Almonds incorporate : almonds, vegetable vegetable oil ( canola oil, safflower and/or sunflower ) and ocean salt .
many flavors available, including Sriracha, Sweet Thai Chili, Honey Roasted, Wasabi and Soy Sauce .
available in many sizes, from large containers to single-serving pouches .
SkinnyPop Popcorn
Preservative free, SkinnyPop contains no artificial ingredients or flavors .
A gluten free choice that contains zero trans fatty — and it ’ s a dependable source of fiber .
Sea Salt and Pepper season contains lone four ingredients : popcorn, sunflower oil, sea salt and bootleg capsicum .
large bag and snack-sized bags available .
Lundberg Brown Rice Cakes
Made with two ingredients : organic unharmed grain brown university rice, ocean salt .
Gluten free, vegan and only 60 calories per serve .
top with insignificant butter, hummus or tuna for lend protein .
100 % hale grain, with no impregnate fat, cholesterol or add sugars.
Read more: How To Enjoy Eating Healthy
—Hannah Six, HealthNovant Health / Healthy Headlines
For the latest health news and advice from Novant Health providers, visit: https://www.novanthealth.org/healthy-headlines/