Britain is home to some truly unique snacks, but not all of them are winners when it comes to health, and it’s always the case that the most delicious can often be the unhealthiest. Many are full of salt, sugar, and unhealthy fats that can quickly derail your diet, so we’ve compiled a rundown of the 17 worst offenders, according to nutrition experts.
Pork Scratchings
If you’ve ever crunched on pork scratchings at the pub, you know they’re addictive, but behind the satisfying crunch is a snack loaded with saturated fat and sodium. A single small bag can surpass your daily salt limit, which over time can contribute to high blood pressure and cardiovascular issues.
A typical 25g serving contains approximately 150 calories, 10g of fat (of which 3.5g are saturated), 0g of carbohydrates, and 0.5g of salt.
Scotch Eggs
Scotch eggs often look like a hearty, protein-packed snack, but the reality isn’t as wholesome, because the sausage meat surrounding the egg is highly processed and typically full of preservatives, while the breadcrumb coating is often fried to golden perfection in unhealthy oils. For the healthiest option, it’s much better to make your own at home rather than opt for manufactured ones.
One standard Scotch egg (140g) provides around 300 calories, 20g of fat (6g saturated), 20g of carbohydrates, and 1.2g of salt.
Cheese and Onion Pasties
A comfort food in pastry form, cheese and onion pasties are also a nutritional landmine thanks to the flaky pastry being often made with butter or lard, making it high in saturated fat, and the cheesy filling only adds to the problem. Add in the simple carbs from the pastry, and you have a snack that’s more likely to make you feel sluggish than energised.
A medium-sized pasty (150g) contains about 450 calories, 25g of fat (12g saturated), 40g of carbohydrates, and 1.5g of salt.
Iced Buns
Undeniably tempting, iced buns are soft, sweet, and essentially sugar-coated bread, while the lack of fibre or protein means they won’t keep you full. The sugar content provides a quick energy spike that’s fine for an occasional treat, they’re not something you’ll want to rely on as a satisfying snack long-term.
Each bun (60g) offers around 200 calories, 4g of fat (1.5g saturated), 35g of carbohydrates (15g sugars), and 0.3g of salt.
Cornish Pasties
Cornish pasties might be a British classic, but they’re hardly a health food, with pastry that is a buttery, calorie-laden indulgence, and filling—often a mix of processed meat, potatoes, and vegetables—that doesn’t fare much better. A single pasty can pack in more calories than some entire meals.
A typical pasty (250g) contains about 500 calories, 30g of fat (15g saturated), 45g of carbohydrates, and 2g of salt.
Flapjacks
The thing about flapjacks is that they often masquerade as a healthy snack, thanks to their oat content, but many are anything but. They’re usually held together with generous amounts of golden syrup, butter, and sugar, transforming them into a calorie-laden treat—but if you still want to eat them, you can find somewhat healthier versions that substitute these ingredients with alternative sweeteners and fats.
A 50g bar contains approximately 250 calories, 12g of fat (6g saturated), 30g of carbohydrates (15g sugars), and 0.2g of salt.
Custard Creams
They might seem like a harmless tea-time staple, but don’t let the petite size of custard creams fool you. Packed with sugar and unhealthy fats, eating just a few can send your sugar intake soaring, which can lead to energy crashes and contribute to weight gain over time.
Each biscuit has approximately 60 calories, 3g of fat (1.5g saturated), 8g of carbohydrates (4g sugars), and 0.1g of salt.
Fried Mars Bars
We know that most people aren’t snacking on fried Mars Bars every night, thanks to them being more of a novelty only in certain areas of the UK, but taking an already sugar-packed chocolate bar and dunking it in batter before frying creates a snack that’s loaded with unhealthy fats and calories. You’ll likely want to make sure you don’t have this sweet treat too often.
One serving (100g) contains approximately 450 calories, 25g of fat (10g saturated), 50g of carbohydrates (40g sugars), and 0.5g of salt.
Pot Noodles
Pot Noodles are the epitome of convenience, but that convenience comes at a cost; these instant meals are loaded with salt, artificial additives, and unhealthy fats, while offering very little protein or fibre. Although they might satisfy your hunger in the short term, they’re unlikely to keep you full for long and could leave you reaching for another snack.
A standard pot (90g) contains approximately 400 calories, 15g of fat (6g saturated), 55g of carbohydrates (2g sugars), and 2g of salt.
Jaffa Cakes
With their sponge base, orange-flavoured jelly, and chocolate coating, Jaffa Cakes are a processed snack that’s high in sugar and lacking in fibre. While they may be lower in calories compared to other biscuits, they won’t keep you full for long and can lead to the same sugar highs and lows as any other sugary snack.
One Jaffa Cake contains around 45 calories, 1g of fat (0.5g saturated), 8g of carbohydrates (6g sugars), and 0.05g of salt.
Fizzy Cola Bottles
Sure, they bring back memories of childhood trips to the sweet shop, but they’re a dentist’s worst nightmare because they’re packed with sugar and artificial flavourings, not to mention they’re the definition of empty calories. These chewy sweets can cause energy spikes and crashes, leaving you feeling tired and irritable.
A 25g serving provides about 90 calories, 0g of fat, 22g of carbohydrates (15g sugars), and 0.02g of salt.
Twiglets
Though they often come with a reputation for being a healthier snack because they’re baked, not fried, Twiglets are still not entirely guilt-free. These crunchy sticks still carry a salt content, and their bold yeast extract flavour isn’t to everyone’s taste, and they still don’t provide much in the way of actual nutrition.
A 24g serving offers around 100 calories, 3g of fat (0.5g saturated), 15g of carbohydrates (0.5g sugars), and 0.5g of salt.
Jelly Babies
A handful of jelly babies—basically a handful of sugar—can deliver a shocking amount of sugar to your system, giving you a quick burst of energy that’s soon followed by a crash. They also offer no vitamins, fibre, or protein—just a temporary sugar high that leaves you craving more.
A 25g serving provides approximately 85 calories, 0g of fat, 20g of carbohydrates (15g sugars), and 0.02g of salt.
Walkers Salt and Vinegar Crisps
In the UK, crisps are usually a lunchbox staple, but their nutritional profile leaves much to be desired in the case of salt and vinegar crisps. The combination of fried potato and a heavy dose of salt makes them a snack that can quickly lead to excessive calorie and sodium intake.
A standard 25g bag contains about 130 calories, 8g of fat (0.7g saturated), 13g of carbohydrates (0.5g sugars), and 0.4g of salt.
Mini Sausage Rolls
Mini sausage rolls might be a party favourite, but they’re not doing your health any favours because you need to know that the flaky pastry is loaded with butter or margarine, while the sausage filling is usually made from processed meat packed with fat and preservatives. Their bite-sized nature makes it easy to eat more than you realise, turning them into a calorific indulgence that’s hard to stop munching on.
One mini sausage roll (30g) offers around 100 calories, 7g of fat (3g saturated), 8g of carbohydrates, and 0.3g of salt.
Black Pudding
Black pudding is a divisive snack, but even fans should be cautious. Made from pig’s blood, fat, and oatmeal, it’s undeniably rich in flavour but also packed with saturated fat and salt, depending on the recipe and preparation method, but the good news is, it can be a good source of protein and iron if eaten in moderation.
A 50g slice provides about 150 calories, 8g of fat (3g saturated), 10g of carbohydrates, and 1g of salt.
Jam Tarts
Last on our list of snacks to avoid is the jam tart; it may look innocent with its bright, cheerful fillings, but it’s essentially butter-filled pastry shells topped with sugar-heavy jam. The combination of simple carbs and sugar means they’ll give you a short burst of energy but leave you feeling hungry again soon after.
One tart (30g) contains about 120 calories, 4g of fat (2g saturated), 20g of carbohydrates (12g sugars), and 0.1g of salt.
If you enjoyed this post, please give Candid Joy a follow on MSN.