Here’s the Facts: These are the Best Snacks
When it comes to snack food, most people have very specific preferences on what they want. Everyone’s list is unique, but here’s what I’d throw in my cart if I’m prepping to be quarantined for three weeks.
10. Potato Chips
Coming in at number ten is potato chips. While there are many different brands with varying degrees of tastiness, potato chips overall lack a very specific taste. Basically, they are very bland. While the packaging is pleasing to the eye, it does not make up for the poor quality of the product itself. Most bags are filled halfway with air to act as a preservative, but that means a lack of actual food. Chips are also very unhealthy and can cause many health issues. Even with all these cons, chips still make the top ten because they’re reliable and can always be found lying around. They’re perfect to eat when you need to snack and multitask.
9. Cheez-It
Taking the number nine spot is Cheez-Its. While many people will say that Cheez-Its deserve to be higher up on the list, I would place Cheez-Its at number nine because of the taste, serving size and nutrition. Cheez-Its taste okay, but they are too artificial and processed for my liking. The serving size is also a little stingy; if you buy the individual packages, there aren’t many in there. Finally, Cheez-Its are incredibly high in sodium and carbs, making the snack a bad option healthwise.
8. Chips Ahoy!
Chips Ahoy! are a beloved snack food to many people, and it’s easy to see why. The pros of Chips Ahoy! cookies are that they do have a very good flavor and somehow get the perfect chocolate chip-to-cookie ratio, but they are also not the healthiest. In addition, Chips Ahoy! are not easy to take on the go, so the way most people like to enjoy them is by grazing on far too many at home.
7. Oreos
Oreos are overall a very good snack to have. They have a nice flavor, but they aren’t memorable, which is why they aren’t higher up on the list. As far as packaging and availability goes, they are very easy to access, and the bright packaging catches your eye. However, there are only two Oreos per package in the pre-wrapped packages, which is not very substantial. Similar to Chips Ahoy, Oreos aren’t the healthiest but also aren’t the most unhealthy.
6. Pretzels
Number six on the list is pretzels. While their taste can be hit or miss—either being too bland or too salty—they have a very good serving size per individual package and are easy to take on the go. Pretzels are also slightly healthier. Overall, I don’t have a lot of complaints or compliments here; pretzels are pretty standard.
5. Granola Bars
Earning a spot in the top five is granola bars. Granola bars have many different varieties and types, but most have the same standard ingredients. They have a very good taste, and while they can be dry, the taste outweighs that. Granola bars also have a standard packaging and serving size that make them super easy to take on the go. In addition, they have a very good nutritional value.
4. Teddy Grahams
While not as healthy as granola bars, Teddy Grahams have to come in at number four because of their taste and sentimental value. Teddy Grahams are a type of cookie/cracker that is the right amount of sweet. They also hold deep sentimental and nostalgic value, as I was one of the children who ate these like they were the only food on earth. In addition, Teddy Grahams have a good serving size, which makes them all the more likable.
3. Trail Mix
Similar to granola bars, trail mix has many different varieties, but most have the same flavor. The mix of nuts, raisins and chocolate can be packaged yourself, which is good because you can choose how much you want for your level of hunger. Trail mix also seamlessly blends both salty and sweet elements to give a nice, even flavor. Who wouldn’t love that?
2. Fruit
Fruit comes in at a close second. Not only is fruit extremely healthy, but it also has a fabulous flavor. In all honesty, the only thing holding fruit back from being in the number one spot is the fact that it’s not very easy to bring on the go. Obviously, it depends on what type of fruit you want, but most of the time you have to package it yourself and keep it refrigerated. This doesn’t stop me from snacking on it, though!
1. Goldfish
Taking the coveted number one snack food spot is Goldfish. Goldfish are somehow able to have a great flavor and taste without feeling processed. They also have very good branding and serving sizes; there is a perfect amount of Goldfish in the individually wrapped packages. The only negative thing about the cheesy snacks is that they are not the healthiest, but sometimes you have to enjoy an extra calorie or two.
All in all, these are some of the best snack foods I would choose any day of the week. Now that we’re self-quarantining and following social distancing protocol, there’s no better time to chow down on a few of my top ten snacks!
Elise Newman is a senior at St. Dominic High School. She is on the varsity swim team and is involved in theatre. Outside of school, Elise loves to hang...