Smart Snacking: How To Choose Healthy Crackers

Ishani Karmakar
09 June, 2023
2 mins ago

Crackers are a pantry staple that may be used for a wide variety of purposes.

You may enjoy them in any way that tickles your fancy, be it with dips, cheese, fruits, cucumbers, crushed into soup, or anything else. They are also incredibly practical because a package may be kept fresh for a long time in a desk drawer, vehicle, or purse.

However, it appears that the vast majority of crackers lack both beneficial components and nutritional value. The majority of store-bought goods are made with refined grains, are low in fibre, and are high in salt. Still, there's no need to give up all of your favourite munchies just yet.

Crackers, if chosen carefully, may be a healthy method to increase your consumption of whole grains. Plus, they're a great addition to a nutritious diet when topped with things like hummus, cheese, olives, smoked salmon, and peanut butter. Finding nutritious crackers in the snack section of the store, however, may be a challenge.

How to Pick Wholesome Crackers

If you're looking for nutritious crackers, don't trust the front of the package, where buzzwords like "all-natural" and "real ingredients" may cause you to scratch your head. Here are some things to keep an eye out for while shopping for healthy snacks.

Increased Fibre Content

Check the cracker's fibre content if you're trying to boost your daily dose of dietary fibre. Fibre is well-known for its ability to prolong satiety after eating. Studies have shown that those who eat a diet high in fibre are less hungry in the hours after eating.

Look for "whole grain" to be one of the first entries on the ingredient list while reading the Nutrition Facts label. Vegetables, nuts, and seeds are also important to include in the list of ingredients. You may easily discover cracker choices that are high in protein, healthy fats, and fibre nowadays. Root foods like cassava and cruciferous veggies like kale and cauliflower are included in some. If you're trying to cut back on your carb intake, try some crackers made with avocado instead.

It's a good idea to include extra seeds

Not the kind with sesame or poppy seeds on top, please. Look for crackers that use flax, sunflower, pumpkin, and other seed ingredients. Good fats, fibre, and protein may all be found in these seeds, and they are typically gluten-free as well. Check out the labels to discover if the product contains seeds or is created entirely from them.