What Are the Best Low-Calorie Junk Food Options?

Last Updated on August 23, 2022 by Jim Edwards

Junk food is high in sugar, sodium, fat, and calories, which makes it an unhealthy diet option. It also lacks essential nutrients, minerals, and vitamins, but people crave it for the taste and texture. Most junk foods trigger happy hormones in a person’s brain, leaving them wanting more. Still, there are some who want to engage in happy-hormone-triggering junk foods without cheating on their diet. They want to know what the best low-calorie junk food options to stay healthy are, so here we go!

Best Low-Calorie Junk Foods

Finding the right low-calorie junk food can be tricky. You have to consider many factors besides the calorie count. Therefore, we bring you a list of the best low-calorie junk foods. You can buy some of these foods from your local grocery store for a quick snack.

1. Lay’s Oven Baked Original Potato Crisps

Lay’s potato chips have a global fan-following, but we can’t deny that it’s high-calorie junk food with high sodium content. On the other hand, this Oven Baked Original Potato Crisps eliminates most of our worries with its low-calorie, low-sodium count.

The baked chips do not rely on oil, which is also good for your cardiovascular health. If you have a cheat day in your diet, go for the oven-baked Lay’s chips.

Here’s the nutritional info:

Serving Size	18 chips (28g)
Calories per Serving	120
Total Fat	2g (3%)
Saturated Fat	0g
Trans Fat	0g
Polyunsaturated Fat	1g
Monounsaturated Fat	0.5g
Cholesterol	0mg
Sodium	135mg (6%)
Potassium	270mg (8%)
Total Carbohydrates	23g (8%)
Dietary Fiber	2g (7%)
Sugars	2g
Protein	2g

2. Kellogg’s Froot Loops

Surprised to see this one on the list? Don’t be. Kellogg’s Froot Loops are not entirely healthy but healthier than many kinds of cereal, given their fiber-to-sugar ratio.

A cup of Kellogg’s Froot Loops has fewer calories than a cup of any other cereal with high sugar. If you are looking for a breakfast cereal with a sugary taste, try Kellogg’s Froot Loops.

Below is the nutritional info for this food:

Serving Size	3/4 Cup (27g)
Calories per Serving	110
Total Fat	1g (2%)
Saturated Fat	0.5g
Trans Fat	0g
Cholesterol	0mg
Sodium	105mg (4%)
Potassium	25mg (1%)
Total Carbohydrates	24g (8%)
Dietary Fiber	2g (8%)
Sugars	12g
Protein	1g (2%)

3. Newman-O’s Chocolate Crème Filled Chocolate Cookies

Cookies are not so popular for low-calorie food consumption or weight loss, but Newman’s Own chocolate crème-filled cookies are different. You can devour two of these cookies guilt-free and continue your diet the next day.

Unlike Oreos (the most addictive cookies in the world!), Newman-O’s Chocolate Crème Filled Chocolate Cookies have balanced sugar and oil content.

Serving Size	2 cookies (27g)
Servings per container	13
Calories per Serving	130
Total Fat	5g (8%)
Saturated Fat	2g (9%)
Trans Fat	0g
Cholesterol	0mg
Sodium	110mg (5%)
Total Carbohydrates	20g (7%)
Dietary Fiber	1g (3%)
Sugars	11g
Protein	1g

4. Tortilla Chips – Xochitl Organic White Corn Tortilla Chips

Xochitl Organic White Corn Tortilla Chips have low calories and sodium per serving compared to other tortilla chips. It’s a healthy snacking option, at least as healthier as junk food can get.

Here are the nutrition facts about these tortilla chips:

Serving Size	1 oz. (28g)
Servings per container	16
Calories per Serving	135
Total Fat	6g (9%)
Saturated Fat	1g (5%)
Trans Fat	0g
Cholesterol	0mg
Sodium	103mg (4.5%)
Total Carbohydrates	16g (4%)
Dietary Fiber	2g (8%)
Sugars	0g
Protein	2g

5. Dreyer’s Slow Churned Ice Cream

While we are talking about low-calorie snacks, let’s not forget the ice cream! We all know ice cream is bad for health, especially if you are trying to lose weight.

However, slow-churned ice cream is not as unhealthy as regular ice cream, especially Dreyer’s Slow Churned ice cream, available in different flavors. With half the amount of fat and lowered calorie count, Dreyer’s Slow Churned Ice Cream is your best bet for low-calorie junk food.

Here are the nutrition facts about Dreyer’s Slow Churned Vanilla Ice Cream:

Serving Size	2/3 Cup (78g)
Servings per container	9
Calories per Serving	140
Total Fat	4.5g (6%)
Saturated Fat	3g (15%)
Trans Fat	0g
Cholesterol	15mg (5%)
Sodium	45mg (2%)
Total Carbohydrates	20g (7%)
Dietary Fiber	0g
Sugars ● Added Sugars	19g ● 14g (28%)
Protein	4g

6. Life Savers Gummies

Craving something fruity and chewy? Grab 10 pieces of Life Savers Gummies and enjoy a considerable portion of sugary chews. Remember that they are better than other high-calorie gummies but still not entirely healthy. So, stick to 10 pieces at a time!

Serving Size	7 pieces (28g)
Servings per container	7
Calories per Serving	90
Total Fat	0g
Saturated Fat	0g
Trans Fat	0g
Cholesterol	0mg
Sodium	0mg
Total Carbohydrates	22g (8%)
Sugars	18g
Added Sugars	18g (36%)
Protein	1g

7. M&M’s Pretzel Chocolate Candy

Comparing the pretzel core of these M&M’s with the original milk chocolate core of regular M&M’s, we can conclude that these are healthier. Instead of high sugar content, you have cookie-flavored M&M’s that do not immediately risk your diet.

Serving Size	17 pieces (39g)
Servings per container	22
Calories per Serving	180
Total Fat	6g (9%)
Saturated Fat	3.5g (18%)
Trans Fat	0g
Cholesterol	5mg (2%)
Sodium	190mg (8%)
Total Carbohydrates	28g (9%)
Dietary Fiber	1g (4%)
Sugars	20g
Protein	2g

Snack Food Swaps

Cut out the junk and curb those calories with these smart snack swaps!

Summary

Best low-calorie junk foods satisfy your cravings without compromising your diet. With the low-calorie junk food list we’ve shared, you don’t have to lose the fight against your tastebuds and consume unhealthy meals. As long as you have healthy junk food options, you can maintain a balanced and healthy lifestyle.

Best Low-Calorie Junk Food – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What Is Junk Food Good for Weight Loss?

Junk foods low in calories, sugar, and sodium are best for weight loss. Some of the best junk foods for weight loss are Lay’s Oven Baked Original Potato Crisps and Newman-O’s Chocolate Crème Filled Chocolate Cookies.

What Foods Fill You Up but Are Low in Calories?

If you want to avoid unhealthy junk foods, consume foods that fill you up without adding more calories to your daily diet. Oats, eggs, popcorn, berries, fish, and soup are some of the best foods with low calories.

What Is the Healthiest Junk Food to Eat?

The healthiest junk food for you depends on a few factors, including calories, sodium, sugar, and total carbohydrates. Crackers, tortilla chips, sour cream, and salsa are healthy junk foods.

What Can I Replace Junk Food with?

Replace junk food with fresh fruit, dark chocolate, snack bar, hot drinks, Greek yogurt, or cottage cheese. If you still crave junk food, try the low-calorie ones.

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Healthiest Junk Food Items for Cheat Days

Image Credits:

“Froot Loops Cereal” by JeepersMedia is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

“Dreyer’s – Slow Churned Yogurt Blends Chocolate Fudge Brownie” by frozenfoodjournal is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0.

“M&M’s Pretzel” by Like_the_Grand_Canyon is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0.