Packaged snack foods
The worst snacks are pretzels, crackers, and other packaged foods. They often contain refined flour and offer few nutrients, but they are also a good source of fast-digesting carbohydrates, which can significantly raise blood sugar levels.
Here are some common snacks' carb counts for a 1-ounce (28-gram) serving:
- Saltine crackers: 20.7 grams of carbs, including 0.78 grams of fiber
- Pretzels: 22.5 grams of carbs, including 0.95 grams of fiber
- Graham crackers: 21.7 grams of carbs, including 0.95 grams of fiber
- ...
In fact, a number of these foods can actually have more carbs in them than is stated on the nutrition label. According to one study, snack foods typically contain 7.7% more carbs than what the label shows. It is preferable to consume nuts or a few low-carb vegetables with an ounce of cheese if you are hungry in between meals.
