Top 10 Unhealthy Vegetarian Snacks

The Best Animal-Free Veggie Junk Food

© Jill Harris

May 23, 2008

Some nutrition experts say there is no such thing as unhealthy foods, only unhealthy diets. Can everything be included “in moderation”? These snacks challenge that idea, but come in handy should a friend ever question whether vegetarian and vegan foods can taste good.

Save these treats for special occasions, or you will become living proof that vegetarian myths are not true. That's right - a vegetarian diet is not always healthy, and vegans aren't always so skinny that they look like they're wasting away.

Sometimes you just have to indulge. So check out these sinfully delicious snacks, and prove to your friends that vegetarianism isn’t just for health nuts anymore.

Top Unhealthy Vegetarian Snacks

1. Nachos and cheese. For good measure, leave off any vegetables (green onions, avocado and tomatoes) and stick to high-fat toppings like sour cream and oodles of cheese. Processed cheese or pre-made cheese sauces are definitely less healthy than real cheese…but are they really foods? Try cream cheese or faux tofu cream cheese on top.
2. Corn dogs. Use a traditional batter on veggie dogs or buy the new pre-made variety. Dip in ketchup.
3. Gourmet, organic potato chips. They’re still deep-fried and loaded with healthy-sounding toppings like green onions and cheddar cheese. But a potato chip by any other name will still absorb twice its weight in oil. At least it’s not genetically-modified oil.
4. Marshmallow Fluff. This stuff is vegetarian, unlike the regular marshmallows that contain gelatin. Marshmallow fluff does contain egg white, though, so is off-limits for vegans. Other no-name brands might use different ingredients, so check the label. For a snack that will take you longer to eat than it will keep you full, spread white bread with Fluff and Chocolate-hazelnut spread (like Nutella).
5. Deep-fried appetizers. Jalapeno bites and mozza’ sticks, anyone? These oil-absorbing snacks make great pub fare but are now available at grocery stores, too.

Top Unhealthy Vegan Snacks

1. Samosas. Bonus points if they are deep-fried. Extra bonus points for the miniature variety that yields higher surface area for the oil.
2. Sweet potato or regular fries. It’s true that sweet potatoes have a higher nutritional value than regular potatoes, but after deep-frying, does it really matter? Restaurants usually provide ranch sauce or mayonnaise-based dip that can be replicated at home with tofu mayonnaise or tofu cream cheese.
3. Vegan cookies. Removing the egg and milk from traditional cookies does little to improve their nutritional value. Nearly 100% refined carbohydrates and fat, cookies are classic comfort food that lull your brain into thinking you’re happy. Ditto for vegan icing: mix vegan margarine and vegan sugar together (and if you’re feeling scandalous, maybe a drop or two of vegan liqueur or vanilla extract) and chase the blues away. Vegan brownies are more available commercially than cookies – but don’t worry, they’re no healthier.
4. Buffalo tofu or deep-fried tofu. Some people just can’t get over their dislike for tofu. Set the record straight with deep-fried breaded or sauce-laden tofu. They’ll change their minds.
5. Vegan ice cream. Mix a bunch of natural-sounding ingredients together with a few different types of sugar and fat - what do you get? Vegan versions of sinful dairy treats. Dairy-, cholesterol- and lactose-free, vegan frozen desserts may be a better choice for some, but they aren't going to help your weight-loss efforts or curb your craving for sugary treats. Dig in and enjoy with some vegan chocolate syrup or cookie crumbs, or make a sundae with vegan candies. Just don’t add fruit.

Chocolate Chip Cookie

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