Packaged snacks are addictive foods. We can open a bag of chips and keep munching on them subconsciously while watching something on TV or before propping up Netflix. Or even while working!
We often do not think of checking for the nutritional value of foods or if it is healthy for us to binge on them. Chex Mix is one of those processed packaged foods that are very addictive.
All the individual pieces in it have their unique texture and flavor. They are known as the healthier types of packaged snacks. But is Chex Mix healthy?
In this article, I will break it down into details and tell you whether Chex Mix is really good for your health.
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What Is Chex Mix, And What Does It Contain?
Chex Mix is a processed packaged snack that contains foods in different shapes and sizes. They have different flavors, components, and textures.
When you open up a bag of traditional Chex Mix, you will find an assortment of corn Chex, wheat Chex, rye chips, pretzels, mini hard breadsticks, nuts, bagel bites, Chex cereal, etc.
Each bit has its unique flavor, texture, shape. But they blend and complement each other, creating a completely different feeling when mixed and consumed in a handful.
What Are the Good Bits of Chex Mix?
Chex Mix has a good amount of fiber and proteins, which regular potato chips lack. Initially, while processing the food from cornmeal and wheat kernels, the actual minerals are often gone.
However, manufacturers add minerals like niacin, thiamin mononitrate, riboflavin, iron, folic acid, etc., into the chips. So, the nutrition is restored when the food’s micronutrients are re-added.
Another good side of this delicious snack is that Chex Mix has significantly less quantity of fat than other chips. Usually, they contain a lesser amount of trans-fats, which makes them much healthier to munch on.
Some flavors of Chex Mix do have a lot of fats. Keep reading to find out! I will tell you about some below.
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But Where’s the Drawback?
Of course, something that is pre-packaged and having an extended shelf-life can’t be all good. Here are some of its downsides:
High Quantity of Sodium:
Chex Mix contains high amounts of sodium. Intaking high quantities of sodium results in weight gain and bloating. This could result in long-term effects if you have too much Chex Mix.
High Amount of Sugar:
One cup of Chex Mix contains about 2.3 cups of sugar. While you do not have to worry about this sugar if you are not thinking about gaining weight, it is always good to watch out for your sugar intake.
Weight Gain:
If this is one of your favorite snacks and you love having it very frequently, I suggest watching out for the sugar and sodium. Do not forget the carbs! Too much of the Chex Mix could also increase weight.
Are All Types of Chex Mix Good?
Chex Mix has a wide range of flavors. The contents of each flavored package are different. As a result, some are on the healthier side while some are not. So, here are some of the Chex Mix flavors with a side note to tell whether they are suitable for your health:
- Traditional Chex Mix – Healthy in moderate amounts.
- Cheddar Chex Mix – The cheese plays a significant role in adding to the proteins in this mix, so it’s healthy to eat. But due to the high sodium levels, up to a healthy amount only.
- Bold Party Blend – This one is one of the unhealthiest flavors. It contains trans-fats in large quantities, high sodium, and sugar. Having too much could make you bloated, increase your sugar levels and raise cholesterol in the blood up to an alarming level.
- Muddy Buddies Chex Mix – The Muddy Buddy Chex Mix is like the desert sides of Chex Mix, and the flavors include brownie supreme, snickerdoodle, peanut butter and chocolate, mint chocolate, etc.
As these are the sweet Chex Mix flavors, they are likely to have higher sugar contents. So don’t binge on these too often!
- Honey Nut Chex Mix – This one, like the name suggests, has also got a bit of sugar. Among its 225-gram carbs, it only has 1 gram of fiber. This one could spike the sugar levels in your blood! Best to keep in check the sugar intake, right?
So, the Million Dollar Question: Is Chex Mix Healthy?
Chex Mix is one of the healthier snack options. However, it does not make it the healthiest food. Packaged foods are always a bit unhealthy as they are processed.
Homemade Chex Mix will always beat packaged Chex Mix in the game. While Chex Mix is not a direct threat to your health, it is always better to have it in moderate amounts. Just like how too much of anything is never good!
You should check the nutritional values how much of those elements you can have in a day to understand how much the food is healthy. If you are on a journey to lose weight, try to limit your portions and servings of Chex Mix. You do not want your hard work and progress to be ruined by slipping a little.
But remember, organic snacks like fruits and vegetables are always the better option. If you can watch how much you are taking and eat Chex Mix in healthy amounts by time, Chex Mix is a good snack option!
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is Chex mix high in carbs?
Yes, it is (75.86g carbs per 100g serving) and should be avoided if you’re on a low-carb diet.
Does Chex mix have cholesterol?
Yes, around 2.4 mg per serving.
Does Chex mix have MSG in it?
Chex mix contains no MSG.
Final Words
Is Chex Mix healthy? Yes, to a certain extent, especially if you compare with other packaged snacks. Homemade snacks and organic ones like fruits and vegetables are always the safer options.
But if you are a fan of Chex Mix, do watch out for the contents! Sometimes we got to watch what we intake to prevent any unwanted hurdles in our body later on.
