Cookies are a resource widely used by children and adults both for breakfast and snacks and for snacking between meals. Although it is true that it is easier to buy them in the supermarket than to make them at home, the Organization of Consumers and Users (OCU) recommends that their consumption be occasional, since no brand offers a product with sufficiently healthy ingredients.
For this analysis, the OCU has selected 286 cookies and reviewed their labeling and nutritional information to be able to affirm which are the most balanced options.
Experts have listed some tips so that when purchasing these products the consumer selects the least unhealthy ones. To begin with, when it comes to cereals and flours, it is preferable that they be whole grains.
Secondly, sugar, contrary to popular belief, is not healthier because it is brown, so it should also be avoided in this form. It is also not advisable to abuse ingredients such as sucrose, glucose, fructose, dextrose, honey and agave. According to the agency, neither sugar nor artificial sweeteners should account for more than 17% of the cookies included in the diet.
As for saturated fats, such as palm, palm kernel, coconut or shea fat, up to 5% are acceptable for OCU, while the salt content in cookies should be below 1%. Finally, if they contain chocolate, their preparation must be based on cocoa butter and defatted cocoa to ensure that it is not a substitute.
Although hundreds of new cookies have been launched in recent years, many of which are promoted as healthier, the organization finds the simpler ones are better. Thus, Maria cookies, digestive type, whole wheat, relief, toasted or golden, among others, are more advisable than sandwich types, wafers or chocolate cookies.
In conclusion, despite containing ultra-processed ingredients and their high price (16 euros/kg on average), the OCU has decided that Santiveri’s gluten-free oatmeal cookies are the best alternative. Also consider other whole grain options or those without added sugar as acceptable.
Recently, the OCU has also analyzed the pre-cooked meatballs from several Spanish supermarkets and has concluded that the meatballs with tomato and potatoes of the Day are the best due to the quality of the meat and the absence of additives.
