Foods that have almost zero value- it may surprise you!

I just read a list of the 50 most popular foods that have almost zero nutrition value. Chances are you have some of these foods in your cupboard. I am not saying absolutely eliminate this from your child's diet but instead, it is good to be aware. These are the foods you want to teach your child to eat once in awhile. A healthy growing body does not need foods that are high in fat and/or high in sugar. But eating these foods once in a while is okay.

• These foods give empty calories, in other words, lots of calories but no nutrition.
• They also take away your child's appetite for the healthier foods.
• If they are eaten regularly, then your child is beginning to form the habits that will be much harder to change as they get older.
• These foods offer a great opportunity to teach your children about foods that should be eaten once in a while.
• Teach your child to read labels, the calories, fat and sugar are listed on every package!

Here are the first 20:BreakfastThis is said to be the most important meal of the day. Here are some foods that might not be such a good way to start it off.

1. Bran Muffin The word "bran" makes it sound healthy, but actually this muffin contains 680 calories and 40 grams of fat. Most muffins and scones are high in fat and scones contain Tran's fat as well.

2. Doughnuts One piece of a glazed doughnut contains 200 calories. Even worse, they contain 4 grams of Tran's fat which is 2 times more than the recommended amount per day.

4. Breakfast or Cereal Bar These bars are low in fat but high in sugar. They offer very little in vitamins, minerals, and fiber.

5. Bacon With considerably low protein content, this is not a particularly nutritious meat. Bacon is also extremely high in fat. 6. Frozen Waffles Another example of empty calories. Most people add margarine and syrup, hence adding even more calories and Tran's fat.

7. Dry Breakfast Cereals Most are high in sugar, salt, and preservatives. Even the "highly nutritious" cereals have refined grains to which vitamins and minerals are then added.

8. Pop Tarts Although they contain no cholesterol, they are still very high in sugar. They also have minimal or no protein.

9. Bagel with Cream Cheese Bagels contain white flour which has no nutritional value. Spread it with cream cheese and you add calories and fat.

SnacksSnacking is a way of life for many people. Unfortunately a lot of today's snacks are pre packaged and loaded with sugars.

10. Candy Bars Some of them can actually have a few grams of protein but they are a nutritional nightmare. After all they are located in the candy isle.

11. Potato Chips They are fried and packed with tons of preservatives to keep them fresh for months.

12. Granola Bars The chewier they are the more sugar and fat they have. The oils and grains that go into them have minimal vitamins and minerals.

13. Sun Chips They are low in saturated fat but they are not as healthy as they are cracked up to be. This snack has over 200 calories and and 180 milligrams of sodium.

14. Berry Blast Power bar Contains no fiber and lists evaporated cane juice (sugar) as its first ingredient.

15. Mini Pretzels Pretzels are processed wheat and contain no vitamins or minerals. They also are high in sodium.

16. Pork Rinds Fried pork skins. Need we say any more?

17. Fruit snacks These gummy fruit snacks might say they are low in fat but they are packed with fructose corn syrup, chemicals, and most of them have a minimal amount of vitamins if any.

18. Crackers Most are made with white flour and are loaded with Tran's fat. Read your labels to find the few that aren't.

19. Corn Chips Basically the same as potato chips. They are fried and when eaten like nachos with cheese, sour cream, and guacamole they become even worse.

20. Twinkies The creamy filling is fake whip cream, and the rest of it is sugar, flour, and flavoring.

To read the entire list of top 50 foods: click here

Resources from Nourish interactive:

interactive food label reader tool

Printable nutrition claims chart- learn the facts about food label claims

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