A new experiment discovered that snacks make up almost 1\4 of the daily calories consumed by adults in the USA.
These snacks also contribute to about 1\3 of the added sugar consumed each day.
Let's find out more about what they've discovered.
Mindless snacking
Scientists analyzed data from over 20,000 Americans and discovered that they consume around 400-500 calories from snacks daily.
These snacks often give little nutritional value and can exceed the calories consumed during breakfast.
The result of snacking on our diet is more significant than many dietitians previously realized.
It's like adding an extra meal to our daily intake, but without the balanced nutrition of a proper meal.
People with type 2 diabetes who took part in the survey tended to eat fewer sugary foods and snack less compared to those without diabetes or those who were prediabetic.
The results suggest that diabetes education is effective, but it may be beneficial to provide education on healthy eating habits to people at risk of developing diabetes or those with normal blood sugar levels.
Snacks accounted for approximately 19.5% to 22.5% of the total energy intake in the survey sample, but they lacked nutritional quality.
The findings also highlight the need for healthier snacking patterns, not just reducing sugar and carbohydrates.
Why it's important
It's essential to consider the overall nutritional needs when planning snacks, rather than focusing solely on what to cut out.
Planning and preparing snacks in advance, similar to how we plan meals, can help ensure healthier choices.
It's vital to be mindful of the snacks available in our environment, especially during the holidays.
The specialists recommend considering the substitution of healthier snacks and paying attention to the overall dietary picture to meet nutritional needs.
Previously, we talked about health benefits of grapes.
