A nutritionist goes to Mercadona and assesses the quality of the cookies in this supermarket: “They ask me about healthy options…”

These popular sweets, round, shaped, rectangular or whatever we like the most; with chocolate, without it, with fruity flavors… They are one of the most common delicacies in Spain and they serve us both for breakfast and for snack. But the truth is that, we are sorry to tell you, they are not a great option for our health.

According to Susín, the answer is clear: there are no healthy cookies. This type of product is characterized by being ultra-processed that contains large amounts of caloriesfew nutrients and undesirable additives such as refined vegetable oils and sweeteners.

Some Mercadona cookies, such as those that include palm oil, are especially in the nutritionist’s sights.

Susín reminds that this ingredient contains palmitic acid, a compound related to possible health risks, including a pro-carcinogenic effect in preliminary studies.

Even cookies labeled ‘woke’ or ‘cool’ – which might seem like more appropriate options – They do not pass the expert filter. Susín points out that they are loaded with sweeteners and unhealthy vegetable fats, which makes them equally ultra-processed and not very beneficial products.

Calories, an added problem

The nutritionist also highlights the calorie density of the cookies, which are between 400 and 450 calories per 100 grams. «And you can eat 100 grams of cookies in no time at all»says Susín, warning how easy it is to consume excess calories with this type of snack.

Given the lack of healthy options in the cookie aisle, Susín recommends stopping “the nonsense” and opting for more natural and nutritious snacks.

Although cookies are an occasional treat, they cannot be considered a healthy option. The key is to look for more natural and less processed alternatives to take care of our health without giving up flavor.