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If you enjoy regular snacking you're part of a very exclusive club called 90% of adults in America, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Snacks are so widely beloved that they've become a nickname for attractive human beings.
But as delicious and comforting as snacks can be, some can take a toll on your health if enjoyed too often.
Fortunately, there are some healthier — or at least less unhealthy — alternatives to some of America's favorite snacks that can still satisfy your taste buds.
Chocolate
No disrespect to Brussel sprouts but a "Charlie and the Brussel Sprout Factory" movie would've been a complete dud.
Everyone loves chocolate. From small artisanal batches to mass-produced candy bars advertised during the Super Bowl, it is undeniably a U.S. snacking staple. In fact, it's Americans' seventh favorite snack, according to Statista.
While a few bites here and there aren't harmful, the sugar packed into the chocolate can be unhealthy if you snack on it all the time. For instance, a Snickers bar contains 26 grams of added sugars, or more than six teaspoons.
For a healthier alternative, switch to dark mode — dark chocolate that is. Chocolate containing a higher percentage of cacao also has less sugar. It even offers some health benefits; dark chocolate has flavanols which support heart health, blood flow and better blood pressure, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
That being said, it is high in saturated fat, so even though it's healthier than milk chocolate, you should still view it as a treat.
Ice cream
We all scream for ice cream, and really, it's the only logical reaction.
Whether you like a simple mint chip or whatever wild flavor the mad scientists at Ben and Jerry's are coming up with, there's a frozen treat for you out there (including plenty of tasty dairy-free options).
With its high sugar and fat content, however, ice cream isn't as good for your body as it is for your soul.
For a healthier alternative, try "nice cream" instead, which is made from frozen fruit (often bananas). It's extremely simple to make, significantly healthier, and will satiate your urge for chilled decadence. Check out this recipe guide from Feel Good Foodie for instructions.
Sweets in general
Candy, sugary yogurt, popsicles, and more are just a few of the snacks that could fall under the sweets umbrella. If you're one to always reach for something that will satiate your sweet tooth, you're in luck: there are plenty of healthy options.
For example, if you love a crunchy or chewy candy or something you can snack on over a period of time, consider dried fruit. The water content is removed during the drying process leaving behind flavor, crunch and natural sweetness. You do need to be careful, though. Many dried fruits have loads of added sugar, so be sure to read your nutrition labels carefully!
If you're looking for something with a little more substance, try making protein peanut butter balls. This recipe from Well Plated is as simple as they come — and you can swap out peanut butter for other nut butters you like.
Chips
The only salty inclusion on the list might make some of you salty. Not to ruffle any feathers here, but in case you're not aware: foods deep-fried in oil aren't great for you. (Sadly, they also taste better than pretty much anything in the world.)
Chips are second to cookies as America's favorite snack food, according to Statista. The portable snack can be found in all shapes and sizes and in a multitude of flavors — from classics like sour cream and onion to more exotic ones like Korean barbecue. As a result, it's tough to find adequate replacements, but there are some healthier ways to get your crunch on.
The idea for healthier chips is to either choose something not fried or not potato-based. For starters, several types of baked and air-fried potato chips are commercially available, or you can even make them at home if you've got some time on your hands.
Non-potato-based options include Sun Chips or Terra Chip. If you need some help choosing, Everyday Health has an excellent list of substitute chips.
America's favorite: cookies
Data from Statista says Americans' favorite snack food is a good, old-fashioned cookie. WIth so many varieties out there, the possibilities for a soft or crunchy sweet treat are endless.
One serving of Oreos, which is three cookies, contains 14 grams of sugar, 7 grams of fat and 160 calories, Verywell Fit reports. While the calorie count might not be astronomical, the added sugar and fat are troublesome if you're trying to make smarter snacking choices.
If you decide to make a homemade chocolate chip cookie, you'll notice how much sugar and butter go into the bowl which isn't ideal for a healthy snack.
A healthier alternative could be a homemade protein cookie. This recipe by Arman Liew uses four ingredients to make a chocolate chip cookie: peanut butter, brown sugar substitute (your choice), egg, protein powder and chocolate chips. If you want to sub out the chocolate chips for dark or semi-sweet chocolate chips, you will save yourself a few calories.
The recipe has a reassuring five-star review from almost 2,000 people, so you know it's going to be good.
7 favorite Wasatch Front hikes where you can still see the city
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