Just when you thought your midday snack attack was harmless, experts have bad news: many popular snacks may be stealthily sabotaging your health far more than you suspect. Hold that noodle cup—let’s unpack the ranking that’s making snackers everywhere second-guess their cravings.
How Snacks Were Judged: The Tufts University Ranking
Ever faced with a rumbling stomach in the middle of the day and no clue which snack is actually good for you? You’re not alone. The DailyMail recently shared the results of an ambitious project: a ranking of 8,000 snacks and drinks, scoring them on a 100-point system. Developed by nutrition experts at Tufts University in the United States, the list evaluates each snack based on its nutritional value—not its Instagrammability (sorry ice cream sundaes), but real, honest-to-goodness health impact.
The Shockers in the « Snacks to Avoid » Category
Which treats got the nutritional « red card »? Instant noodles take a big hit due to their sky-high sodium content, making them particularly infamous in this study. But unexpected frontrunners in the unhealthy league include:
- White rice with soy sauce
- Ice cream sundae
Amazingly, researchers found these two ranked equally in health terms. And just when you thought pasta was harmless, it scored only one point more than a fast-food cheeseburger—a revelation likely to shock carb lovers everywhere. Other snacks received academic « dunce caps » (bonnet d’âne, if you prefer the French drama) for their poor nutritional profiles:
- Energy drinks
- Kellogg’s frosted flakes
- Pudding
- Instant soups
- Cornflakes
- Meat pizza
These snacks and drinks were determined to have too many negative impacts on health relative to their nutritional worth. Overindulging in them could contribute to diet-related diseases like obesity and heart troubles, especially with frequent consumption. Sobering fact: Dr. Christian Recchia reminds us that, while there were 11 million obese people worldwide in 1975, today that number has skyrocketed to over 300 million. That’s a lot of empty snack wrappers—and a big red flag.
Surprises at the Top: Not All Hope Is Lost
Now, exhale: it’s not all snack-ageddon. In fact, raw fruits like raspberries sprinted straight to the head of the class. The ranking’s top five snacks and drinks for health were:
- Raw raspberries
- Salted almonds
- Vegetable curry
- Tuna salad
- Light mayonnaise
When it comes to protein sources, seafood wears the crown with an average score of 67. Poultry follows with 42.7, while beef trails in last at just 24.9. Among drinks, carrot juice scooped up the highest possible score. And for fans of legumes, nuts and seeds are highlighted as healthy, nibble-worthy options.
The Not-So-Sweet Truth and What to Do Next
If you’ve ever reached for a packet of instant noodles, a frosty energy drink, or a comforting bowl of cornflakes thinking it’s a passable choice—this study suggests it might be time to make a switch. The findings hit home: snacks that are high in sodium, added sugars, or low in beneficial nutrients may do a lot more harm than good. Yet, the good news is that delicious and convenient options like almonds, fresh fruits, and even a thoughtfully-prepared tuna salad can top the list.
So next time hunger strikes and you find yourself contemplating the vending machine, remember: a smart snack can make your day (and maybe your next checkup) a whole lot brighter. Your taste buds may crave the familiar, but your heart—and possibly your waistline—will thank you for the upgrade.
John is a curious mind who loves to write about diverse topics. Passionate about sharing his thoughts and perspectives, he enjoys sparking conversations and encouraging discovery. For him, every subject is an invitation to discuss and learn.
