Packaged snacks may seem like a practical and quick solution for a quick breakfast or a snack for the little ones. However, behind the apparent convenience and sweet taste lie numerous dangers for our health.
These products fall into the category of ultra-processed foods, often rich in chemical additives that can damage the body. Furthermore, the high sugar content can trigger addiction mechanisms in consumers, similar to those associated with the consumption of alcohol or narcotic substances.
Another critical point is that industrial snacks are generally low in nutrients essential for our well-being, such as proteins, fibre, vitamins and minerals. This explains why, after an initial sense of satisfaction, we often find ourselves hungry again.
Ultimately, it would be better to avoid including snacks in our weekly shopping. However, if we really can’t do without them, perhaps because we already know we don’t have the time to prepare healthier alternatives at home, what products can we choose?
The consumer association Altroconsumo conducted a survey in the vast world of packaged snacks and croissants, looking for products that at least met the minimum standards in terms of nutritional quality and ingredients used.
The snack test
The researchers selected a sample of 57 snacks, including products from large brands and private labels from supermarkets; some of the options examined were made from whole wheat flour.
Each product was rated with a score from 1 to 100, taking into account three key factors:
As anticipated, packaged snacks are not nutritionally adequate foods and contain many controversial and unhealthy ingredients.
It is not surprising, therefore, that only one snack barely reached the pass mark with 53 points: this is the gluten-free cake with buckwheat, corn and rice from the Equilibrio line by Esselunga.
Followed by the other snacks, all of low quality, falling towards the worst: Kinder Délice tied with Fiesta Ferrero, which only obtain 31 points:
Our advice, however, remains the same: let’s avoid buying packaged snacks, especially when we can easily replace them with homemade desserts.
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