10 Popular Kids’ Snacks That Are Surprisingly Unhealthy

When it comes to the food you buy for your kids, you likely spend a lot of time reading nutrition labels. Whether you consider yourself more strict or relaxed when it comes to letting your kids choose their snacks, you know that everything in moderation is key to helping your children eat healthy. Sure, there's nothing wrong with having your kids eat some cookies or ice cream every once in a while, but it's our hope as parents that the snacks our kids munch on daily are not detrimental to their health.

Unfortunately, there are many popular kids' snacks that are a lot more unhealthy than most parents realize. From snacks that seem innocent because of the branding to crackers that have little sugar, just because something is marketed toward kids doesn't make it a good choice for your family.

In this slideshow, we'll look at 10 popular kids' snacks that are surprisingly unhealthy, so you can make the best choices for your family next time you shop.

Granola bars are one of the most popular snacks for kids. They're convenient for rushed mornings or sports nights, so for many parents, they're the go-to snack for kids. However, not all granola bars are created equal.

Granola bars are often marketed as healthy snacks, but this isn't usually the case. Parents should be cautious of granola bars or energy bars in general, as they can be high in sugar and are not ideal for their child's teeth.

Many granola bars are high in calories, sugar, and carbs, but lack protein or other beneficial nutrients. Also, the ingredients in granola or energy bars often get stuck in your child's teeth, which can make them more prone to cavities.

There's no doubt about it — kids love yogurt. Whether it comes in a cup with their favorite characters or it comes in a tube, what's not to love about this fruity snack? There are a lot of good yogurt brands out there, but there are also many unhealthy ones to watch out for.

There are many benefits to eating yogurt, but it matters what kind of yogurt your kids eat. Most yogurt brands that are marketed towards kids are filled with a ton of added sugar and other ingredients.

It's also important to note that many kids' yogurts are also low-fat varieties, which isn't necessarily the best option for every child, especially those under 2. Greek yogurt contains much more protein than regular yogurt. If you can find a Greek yogurt brand your kids like, you can add a bit of honey or fruit for a higher-protein snack.

The fruit snacks you see in the store can be hard to resist, especially when they have your kids' favorite characters on them. However, this is one of the worst options out there when it comes to snacks that are marketed as healthy but really aren't.

Although they are often marketed as a snack made with real fruit, fruit snacks aren't much better than candy. In a lot of ways, they're similar to candies such as gummy bears, which are also often flavored with fruit juice or fruit concentrate.

The fruit flavoring or fruit juice used to make fruit snacks doesn't make them healthy, since your kids don't get the fiber or any of the other benefits that they would get from eating whole fruit. Skip the fruit snacks and find a snack made of actual fruit instead.

Cheese crackers such as Goldfish or Annie's Cheddar Bunnies seem like a relatively healthy snack for kids. They're definitely not comparable to eating fruit or vegetables, but they're usually low in sugar. However, according to dentists, they're one of the worst snacks kids can eat.

Cheddar crackers are a better alternative to most unhealthy snacks for kids. But according to dentists, they're one of the snacks that parents should avoid. Also, when you compare the nutrition to that of some of the most popular chip brands, they don't differ that much.

Eating these crackers in moderation is okay, but they shouldn't be consumed like they're a health food. Cheese crackers have very little protein or fiber, and considering how tasty they are, it's easy to consume way too many of them at a time.

Most kids love fruit, and when it comes in dried form, it seems like a great snack to have for lunch or when you're on the go. Not all dried fruit is a bad option, but there are some things to look out for.

Like many of the snacks on this list, dried fruit is one of the worst snacks according to dentists because of the risk of cavities. It's easy for dried fruit to get stuck in your child's teeth, which means it's often difficult to clean.

It's also important to check dried fruit to see if there's any added sugar. Many varieties of dried fruit include added sugar, which makes it worse than eating fresh fruit. Additionally, with snacks like raisins, it's easy for kids to eat a lot of them without realizing how much sugar they're consuming.

Fruit juice is really a drink rather than a snack, but it's something that kids consume frequently. It's another option that may seem healthy when the label says it's made with real fruit. However, fruit juice usually contains the sugar and flavor from fruit without most of the other benefits.

Fruit juice is okay for kids to enjoy in moderation, but it can be incredibly unhealthy because of the sugar content. Many juice boxes now contain between 7-16 grams of sugar per serving, with some brands offering options as low as 8 grams. However, some can be as high as 25 grams per serving.

There are some alternatives out there, like Honest Juice, that include filtered water and typically contain about 8-9 grams of sugar per serving. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, children aged 1 to 6 years old shouldn't consume more than 4 to 6 ounces per day.

When you don't always have time to cook a healthy breakfast for your kids before school or weekend activities, cereal can seem like a convenient option. But many of the cereals that boast about the amount of whole grain or other nutrients they contain are not a healthy way to start the day.

Cereal can be a quick breakfast or afternoon snack for kids, but be careful which cereals you purchase. Most of the cereals that are marketed towards kids — complete with fun, exciting colors and characters — are the worst as far as nutrition.

Something like homemade oatmeal with fruit can be a simple, easy breakfast to make that has far more protein, fiber, and other nutrients than breakfast cereal. Many kids' cereals also contain artificial food dyes and other ingredients that may not be the best for your child.

Popcorn isn't just a snack you enjoy at the theater. With the availability of microwave popcorn and even the rise of many different popcorn brands, this is another tempting snack your kids may ask for all the time.

How unhealthy popcorn is depends on the brand you purchase. For example, Orville Redenbacher's Pour Over Movie Theater Butter Popcorn has over 300 mg of sodium in one serving and only 3 grams of protein.

There are many varieties, however, that have lower sodium and fat. It's also important to note that popcorn can be a serious choking hazard for young children. Experts recommend avoiding it as a snack until your child is at least 4 years old.

Pudding cups are another favorite childhood snack that may even remind you of your own childhood. Whether you prefer the chocolate, vanilla, or butterscotch variety, it can be tempting to stock your pantry with this tasty snack for your own family.

Pudding cups, such as the famous Snack Pack, are definitely a tasty treat. But they have a lot of artificial ingredients and high amounts of sugar. The Chocolate Snack Pack says it's made without preservatives and high-fructose corn syrup. However, one pudding cup has 13 grams of added sugar and 1 gram of protein.

Snack Pack also has a new variety, the Fruit Pebbles flavor, which contains 15 grams of added sugar and artificial dyes such as Blue 1 and Yellow 5.

When you're looking for an alternative to chips for your child's snack, you might turn to veggie sticks such as the Veggie Straws from Garden Veggie Snacks. However, the marketing of these products may be misleading for parents since the straws have a lot in common with potato chips.

Since the name includes the word "veggie," many parents think these are a healthy snack. But when you look at the ingredients, these straws are made out of potato starch and potato flour, with spinach powder and beetroot powder for color and flavor.

These straws aren't exactly made out of vegetables in the way you might think. Although they do contain less fat than traditional potato chips, they should still be consumed in moderation.

There are plenty of unhealthy snacks out there that are worth avoiding, but what are some healthy snacks you can feel good about giving to your kids? If you're looking for alternatives to some of the options on this list, here are some quick, healthy snacks to try:

• Plain yogurt sweetened with a bit of honey or berries
• Baked or air-fried vegetables
• Homemade oatmeal with fruit
• Whole-grain toast with peanut butter
• Smoothie with yogurt and fresh fruit

There are many ways to make healthy snacks at home without a lot of effort. Focus on eating whole foods the majority of the time and giving your kids processed snacks in moderation.