17 Packaged Snacks That Aren’t Ultraprocessed
If you’re trying to eat less ultraprocessed food, try these convenient options.
Jeff Greenberg/Getty Images
Ultraprocessed food is getting a lot of press these days — for better and for worse. As a dietitian, I’m happy to see that people are thinking about processed food with more nuance. Just a few years ago, it was common to hear nutrition advice like, “Only shop the perimeter of the grocery store and avoid all the inner aisles,” which encouraged people to stock up on produce, meat, dairy and fresh bakery items while avoiding all boxed, bagged, canned or frozen food. Although the intention was probably good, that was bad advice. There’s plenty of super nutritious, minimally processed food in the aisles of the grocery store — plus, processed foods are fantastic for convenience (most of us don’t have time to cook everything from scratch) and can absolutely be part of a healthy overall diet.
Now, experts are differentiating between ultraprocessed foods and minimally processed ones. According to Harvard Health, ultraprocessed foods have lots of added ingredients and are “made mostly from substances extracted from foods, such as fats, starches, added sugars and hydrogenated fats. They may also contain additives like artificial colors and flavors or stabilizers.” Minimally processed and processed foods, on the other hand, might be slightly altered to extend their shelf life or make them safe to consume, and might contain several different ingredients that are more or less in their natural state. For example, a protein bar with whey isolate, sugar alcohols and other artificial colors and stabilizers is considered ultraprocessed; a snack bar made with cooked oats, peanut butter, sugar and spices is considered processed; a pre-cooked hard-boiled egg is considered minimally processed.
To be clear: All of this doesn’t mean that ultraprocessed food is evil or that you need to completely avoid it in order to be healthy — that way of thinking creates shame and guilt, and going to such great extremes in the name of health just isn’t necessary. Plus, the definition of ultraprocessed still leaves a lot up to interpretation. (For example, some people might consider a snack bar made with cane sugar and juice concentrate ultraprocessed, while others may not.) Still, stocking up on tasty, convenient packaged snacks that are less processed is a relatively easy way to reduce the amount of ultraprocessed food you’re eating without making any big sacrifices. Here are 17 to get you started.
Crunchy and perfect for dipping in guacamole or bean dip, many tortilla chips are made from only ground corn and oil. Technically, oils like canola and safflower are considered ultraprocessed since making them requires so many steps, like bleaching and refining. Sprouts Organic Tortilla Chips are made with ground corn, avocado oil (which isn’t ultraprocessed), sea salt and lime.
If you’re looking for a grab-and-go snack but you’re allergic to (or just tired of) nuts, these pumpkin seeds are crunchy, tasty and satisfying. A serving delivers nine grams of protein, plus vitamins, minerals, fiber and fat.
Made from beef, salt and pepper, this beef jerky is simple but tasty. The company is committed to regenerative and humane agriculture, and the beef comes from cows raised on the family farm.
If you like snacking on nuts but want to shake things up a bit, try these almonds that are dusted with cacao and sea salt. They come in a resealable bag, so they’re a great thing to bring to the office or leave in the car.
Peanut butter combined with carrot or apple slices makes for a great snack, and these peanut butter pouches make it easy to pack a single serving. Made with only one ingredient (peanuts), these are about as simple as it gets.
A longtime lunchbox staple, string cheese is relatively high in protein (about seven grams per stick) and super easy to eat. Most brands use just milk, cheese cultures and enzymes in their sticks, all of which are essential for the cheese-making process. These are available on Amazon, but most brands at most stores will fit the bill.
For a midday protein punch, these single-serving cottage cheese cups are a great thing to have around. The plain versions are made without any sugar or flavorings, while the pineapple and strawberry-chia flavors have minimal added ingredients like fruit, cane sugar, pectin and juice concentrate.
These popular gluten-free crackers are made from a variety of whole grains and seeds — brown rice, quinoa, flax and sesame seeds — and are flavored with soy sauce. They’re extra crispy, and perfect for dipping into hummus, peanut butter or another favorite dip.
RXBars are popular for a reason: They’re made with just a few ingredients, they don’t have the whey aftertaste that’s all too common among protein bars, and they’re made without sugar alcohols or artificial sweeteners (which can cause an upset stomach in some people). Pretty much any flavor fits the bill here, but we love this classic peanut butter version, made with dates, peanuts, egg whites and sea salt.
Although technically canola oil is an ultraprocessed food, we’re including these crackers on the list because they’re affordable and accessible, and they’re made almost entirely from whole grain wheat, plus a little canola oil and sea salt for texture and flavor. Remember, there’s a grey area when it comes to what does and doesn’t count as an ultraprocessed food, and there are no gold stars for doing things “perfectly.”
Made with dried fruit and nothing else, these easy-to-grab bars are a delicious way to add fiber to your day. Because they contain no fat and very little protein, you’ll get more bang for your buck by pairing them with nuts or a cheese stick for more balance.
Although some flavored yogurts have lots of artificial flavors, colors and stabilizers, the offerings from Siggi’s are flavored with fruit and cane sugar. Choose from plain, strawberry-rhubarb, mixed berry, lemon and vanilla flavors.
If you’ve ever made popcorn on the stove, you know that all it takes is corn kernels, oil and a little bit of salt. When you don’t feel like doing the popping yourself, these single-serve bags from Lesser Evil are perfect. They’re made with organic corn kernels, coconut oil and salt.
Before RXBars, there were Larabars. The OG date-based bars, these plant-based, gluten-free snacks are made from fruit, nuts and not much else. Even the chocolate chips (which aren’t in every bar) are made from just chocolate, sugar, cocoa butter and vanilla extract.
This cereal — which comes in cinnamon, chocolate and honey-almond — is simple enough to please a kid but also great for any adult who wants a quick snack or breakfast on the go. Made from sorghum flakes and flavored with ingredients like sugar, coconut oil and dates, the cereal has a nice crunch and a familiar flavor.
Related Content:
