Are “healthy junk food” snacks really healthy?

**ghosthunter** · July 8th, 2013 04:58 PM

Are “healthy junk food” snacks really healthy?

We took a careful look at 6 “junk food” snacks that have taken the healthy route, at least based on their packaging. But you be the judge: are they really healthy?

Baked Porky Popps (17 g at P9.90)
Point of pride: “1/3 less fat than traditional fried pork chicharon”
What’s in it: Pork rind, vegetable oil, iodized salt, sugar, citric acid, natural vinegar powder, spices
What you get out of it per serving:
Energy: 80cal
Total fat: 3g
Cholesterol: 20mg
Sodium: 330mg
Total carbohydrates: 1g
Protein: 11g

No Pinoy can ignore a pack of crispy chicharon, especially if it’s been baked (therefore, “healthier”). Of course, nothing can compare to the real crackin’ thing; but this snack comes pretty close, at least in terms of taste and appearance.

Marty’s Cracklin’ (26 g at P4.40)
Point of pride: “Vegetarian chicharon”
What’s in it:
Dehydrated green peas, vegetable oil, tapioca starch, dehydrated potatoes, iodized salt, sodium diacetate, sugar, hydrolyzed soy protein, spices, MSG
What you get out of it per serving:
Energy: 160cal
Total fat: 8g
Sodium: 230mg
Total carbohydrates: 18g
Protein: 2g

Another one taking a crack at “healthy-fying” chicharon, Marty’s Cracklin’ tastes less like chicharon and more like those dry packed chips that puff up when you deep fry them. Marty’s has gotten the crispy part perfectly. But it probably needs to work more on adopting the chicharon taste.

Nova multi-grain snack (40 g at P10.75)
Point of pride: “Well and good”
What’s in it: Corn, wheat, vegetable oil, rice flour, oat flour, cheese powder, iodized salt, soybean oil
What you get out of it per serving:
Energy: 140cal
Total fat: 5g
Sodium: 70mg
Total carbohydrates: 21g
Protein: 3g

We have to admit, Nova does taste good; and it has taken ridges to a different level. These chips are supposedly multi-grain—that means each chip is made up of several grains, which should aid digestion. Strange thing, though: despite its multi-grain approach, each serving of Nova only contains 2g of fiber.

Pods Vegetarian pea snack (30 g at P4.40)
Point of pride: “No artificial color”
What’s in it: Green peas, vegetable oil, corn, corn starch, rice, sugar, salt with Potassium Iodide
What you get out of it per serving:
Energy: 140cal
Total fat: 5g
Sodium: 85mg
Total carbohydrates: 19g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 4g
Calcium: 10% RDA (Recommended Daily Allowance)
Iron: 40% RDA

Maybe to illustrate that it’s vegetarian, this snack actually comes in a light shade of green. There are no green peas in sight; instead, there are really crispy rectangular chips that do taste like green peas. Might not be a good idea to throw these in your afritada, though.

Potato fries (50 g at P9.95)
Point of pride: “Baked not fried!”
What's in it: Dehydrated potatoes, vegetable oil, wheat, potato starch, rice, corn, salt with potassium iodide
What you get out of it per serving:
Energy: 150cal
Total fat: 7g
Sodium: 180mg

This snack does taste a bit like French fries—a saltier and crispier version. In fact, it’s the salt that you’ll notice first. Eventually, you’ll realize that, because of their saltiness, these potato fries will probably be great with beer (but probably not great for your everyday diet).

Snacku Rice crackers (30 g at P4.70)
Point of pride: “Vegetable flavored”
What’s in it: Rice, vegetable oil, vegetable flavor, sugar, MSG, iodized salt, food color What you get out of it per serving:
Energy: 140cal
Total fat: 6g
Sodium: 260mg
Total carbohydrates: 20g
Protein: 1g
Calcium: 2% RDA (Required Dietary Allowance)
Iron: 4% RDA

There’s a slightly peppery taste to these green-colored vegetable-flavored chips (which are shaped like fries). After popping a few more in your mouth, though, you begin to realize that this snack tastes like a mix of the vegetables that you would normally put in sinigang or bulalo.

source: Are ?healthy junk food? snacks really healthy?

**Retz** · July 8th, 2013 06:06 PM

hirap talaga ma avoid ung junkfoods. ung oishi prawn crackers and La-La are my favorrites may free coke pa naka value pack.

**ghosthunter** · July 8th, 2013 06:44 PM

I like NOVA as my "heathy" choice for chips.

Recently I bought some "baked porky pops" for variety...

**ghosthunter** · July 8th, 2013 06:44 PM

I like NOVA as my "heathy" choice for chips.

Recently I bought some "baked porky pops" for variety...

**BratPAQ** · July 9th, 2013 12:12 AM

wonder boy ang favorite ko nung bata ako, im sure mataas sa sodium yun. right now the family favorite is tostitos chips (whole grain daw) dipped in tostitos salsa.