The Top 5 Most Addictive Snack Foods

FACT: According to a recent analysis of U.S. grocery buys, processed foods now make up more than 60 percent of all the calories Americans purchases. And above 80% highly processed foods that households are purchasing are higher in fat, sugar and salt, on average, compared to the less-processed foods.

So it’s no wonder these snacks are as addictive as they are. Companies “engineer” food to appeal to your taste busds and solicit your brain to create a “crave-type” action. According to Yahoo Health, here are 2015’s most addictive snack foods

5.) Most Addictive Food: Doritos

Listen, we love these little cheesy sensations too! It’s hard NOT to like them. Like a cheap blended vodka, Doritos are designed to go down in one fast, desperate binge. The recipe for the popular chip was specially designed so that no single flavor overpowers another. When foods lack a dominant flavor, people are less apt to feel full and, in turn, consume more, say researchers. One of the first ingredients on the food’s label is monosodium glutamate (MSG), an additive that’s been known to increase appetite and make foods taste more appetizing. And if you thought “Dorito breath” was just a coincidental side effect, think again. The powerful savory taste lingering in your mouth is an example of a tactic called “long hang-time flavor” that’s used to lure snackers into going back for more. With all of these factors working against you, it’s really no wonder you’re defenseless when Doritos come around.

Snack On This Instead: Many grocery store chains are trying to cash in on creating their own “homemade” tortilla chips that are created in store. They are fresher and healthier for you. For that cheesey goodness, simply add in a cheese slices or shredded cheese to eat beside it (real cheese, try to avoid processed cheese). Blue corn chips with seasoning is also tasty. Try them from your local store too.

4.) Most Addictive Food: Cheetos

Who doesn’t remember eating these growing up? More than likely they were washed down with some colorful sugary drink. But now we now better, right? Right. This orange, puffy snack melts the second it hits your tongue —a phenomenon scientists have dubbed “vanishing caloric density.” And it’s no accident. Food developers know that when foods melt quickly, it tricks the brain into thinking you’re not eating as many calories. That gives our subconscious permission to eat a much larger serving. Even the sound Cheetos make when you bite into them was specially developed to get you hooked. Our brain associates the crackling with freshness, according to a recent Oxford University study.

Snack On This Instead: There are a number of healthy puffy snacks out on the market that are air-popped and not fried with a great deal of oil and other substances like Cheetos. Many of your neighborhood grocery stores like Whole Foods and Trader Joes have them on stock.

3.) Most Addictive Food: Oreos

Scientists have shown that the same chemical reaction you get from eating Oreo’s is nearly identical to that of taking cocaine (yes, THAT cocaine). As it turns out, these chemical-laden disks are more addictive than both cocaine and morphine, according to a 2013 animal study. To come to this finding, researchers fed rats rice cakes, Oreos or gave them injections of cocaine or morphine, then monitored the effects of each on the pleasure center of the brain–which likely explains why it’s so hard to eat just one.

Snack On This Instead: Since historically, cookies are the…

… most difficult to eat in moderation, may we suggest making your own and eating them in combination of other foods. For example, having a homemade shake with little pieces of cookie in it also helps to slowly curb the need for a number of cookies. If you can, homemade cookies is the best route to go.

2.) Most Addictive Food: M&Ms

M&Ms may well be small, but they are powerful. According to a Swiss study, even when chocolates have identical recipes, people find the round versions to have the most satisfying texture—likely because they melt more rapidly. Shape influences perceived sweetness, too. In 2013 when Cadbury reshaped their chocolate bars to be more rounded, testers reported that the chocolates seemed sweeter—even though the recipe hadn’t been reformulated. The shape fools our taste buds, which causes us to overeat: The sweeter and more satisfying a food is perceived to be, the more difficult it is to put down.

Snack On This Instead: Natural granola with dark chocolate is a great choice. But also if you want to slowly ween yourself off of your M&M addiction, simply count out your M&Ms and add them to a naturally sweet granola mix (no pre-mixed granola please!). Every few days reduce the number of M&M’s in your mix until you can go a whole day with only eating under 10.

And finally, drum roll please…

1.) Most Addictive Food: French Fries

When University of Michigan researchers did a deep dive into addictive foods and the trouble they cause with portion control, their study subjects ranked French fries at the very top of the list. The researchers found that because of their combination of fat and starch content, and their highly processed nature, French fries ranked at the very top of the list of foods most associated with problematic, addictive eating behaviors. (And can’t give up potatoes? Read this for the secret trick to Eat Unhealthy Foods and Lose Weight.)

Snack on this instead: Homemade sweet potato fries. Since you don’t have a millions of customers at home (well, hopefully not) you will be cooking your fries in much less oil. Also using a sweet potato can benefit your heart and skin in so many ways just by eating them. You also have the luxury of COMPLETELY draining your fries so as to not eat more oil than you need to. Add a little brown sugar and salt to taste.