The truth about "healthy" snacks

We all do our best to substitute better food choices into our healthy eating but are the choices we make really the best?

Is baked really a better option?

What's really in a protein bar?

Check out the popular snacks below and the hidden truth behind them.

Snack #1

Rice Cakes

This once uber-popular "diet" snack had a mere 35 calories, but consists of high-glycemic puffed-up white rice with a low nutritional profile. "They're mostly made of air," says Sharon Palmer, R.D. "You're better off choosing a low-glycemic snack that keeps you full longer." Ditch it. "You want to get as many nutrients as you can with your calories. You can enjoy a cup of fresh strawberries for those same 35 calories and you'll get more flavor and nutrients."

Snack #2

Kale Chips

The latest "it" snack is a mixed bag, nutritionally speaking. While kale itself is rick in Vitamin A, C and K, your bag of kale chips may contain more additives than you'd think. "With oils, flavorings and salts, some kale chips contain as many calories as potato chip and loads of salt," Palmer says. Ditch it and make your own!

Try out the link below for some great Kale chip recipes:

Kale Chips

Snack #3

Protein Bars

Just because protein bars are stocked in the health food aisle, doesn't mean they're any better for you than a Snickers bar. "Most protein bars on the market are glorified candy bars, with chocolate coatings and lots of added sugars and processed ingredients," says Palmer. Ditch it-unless you're in a pinch.

Snack #4

Popchips

When you 'pop' a snack, you skip the frying or baking process. Although Popchips are low in fiber, they have zero trans fats, 0 to 0.5 of saturated fat and are lower in calories per ounce than traditional chips. Stick with them, but watch your portion sizes. Just like the rice cakes, you could get a better fill in other more nutritionally dense foods. 

Snack #5

Granola

For years, granola has been portrayed as a health food, but it's actually loaded with calories and fat. Most people don't realize that a 1/4 cup of granola contains up to 150 calories. Ditch it! Have a full of oatmeal instead!  

Happy Snacking JOHO!