8 Salty Snacks to Always Leave on Grocery Store Shelves
It's time to really take a look at your snack pantry, and have the talk. You know, a break-up talk, if you will. With the overly salty snacks you're likely munching on, that is. The American Heart Association recommends adults consume no more than 2,300 milligrams per day of sodium, but on average, it's been found that Americans eat more than 3,400 milligrams of sodium daily.
What's so bad about that?
Well, not only can overconsumption of salty foods lead to weight gain, skin troubles, and headaches but high sodium intake is associated with a higher risk of developing high blood pressure. And more than 70% of sodium intake comes from packaged and prepared foods.
So, back to that break-up talk. We went ahead and rounded up the worst salty snacks that you want to leave on grocery store shelves, away from your kitchen. If you happen to have any of these snacks currently in your pantry, we suggest giving them one last look and quietly removing them from your pantries. There really never is a right way to say goodbye.
Here are the salty snacks to way to stay far away from, and instead, be sure you stock up on The 7 Healthiest Foods to Eat Right Now.
Herr's Salt & Vinegar Chips
Not only are potato chips an addictive snack choice, but they're rather problematic. Chips have been linked to weight gain, as one Harvard study found, and it's no secret they're loaded up with salt. One of the worst options in the grocery store is Herr's Salt & Vinegar chips, as one serving contains a whopping 490 milligrams of sodium. It's no wonder it's on our list of the unhealthiest potato chips on the planet.
Snyder's Hot Buffalo Wing Pretzel Pieces
Snyder's Hot Buffalo Wing Pretzel Pieces are not only packing the salty stuff, but they're also rather high in fat for what you would think is a small snack. And their small size is part of why they're a dangerous snack option. It's very easy to eat more than the recommended serving size
Takis Fuego
Takis are rolled tortilla chips that truly bring the heat. And with that extreme taste of fire comes more than 400 milligrams of sodium. Again, these chips are very small, so it's far too easy to eat this entire bag in one sitting. If you can take the heat, that is.
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Totino's Bacon & Pepperoni Pizza Rolls
Pizza is another food that tends to be high in sodium, and the mini snack-size versions you find in the freezer section are no exception. Totino's went ahead and added both bacon and pepperoni—two processed meats that are packing in the salty stuff—to one bite. That results in just one serving of these bite-size treats to have 410 milligrams per serving.
Tostitos Salsa Con Queso (Medium)
Tostito's Salsa Con Queso blends tomatoes, chopped jalapeños, red bell peppers, and cheese to make a creamy dip that is said to "always get the party started." Well, it might be all fun and games at first, but at 280 milligrams of sodium per serving, you need to be careful!
Most likely, you're eating this dip with tortilla chips—Tostitos Hint of Lime chips are coming in at 125 milligrams per serving—so this snack can easily have you downing far too much salt. Be sure to have a bottle of water on hand!
Lance ToastChee Spicy Cheddar Sandwich Crackers
Cheese and crackers are a beloved snack combo. The ToastChee Spicy Cheddar Sandwich Crackers prove this classic duo can steer your wrong.
Slim Jim Teriyaki Steakhouse Beef Strips
One thing that you will get from munching on meat sticks is plenty of protein. Eating protein-based snacks can help reduce hunger, keeping you fuller for longer, which can help you maintain weight loss, too. Slim Jim's Teriyaki Steakhouse Beef Strips, though, are swimming in sodium. No thanks!
Jolly Time Mini Bags Blast O Butter, Ultimate Theatre Style
One bag of this popcorn sets you back 16 grams of fat coming from inflammatory palm oil, and 440 milligrams of sodium. It's a skip!
