Are seaweed rice crackers healthy?

If you’re like me, then you’ve probably had moments where all your cravings lead to the snack aisle in a supermarket. When you get there and peruse through the shelves, maybe for hours on end (or so it seems), what do you go for? Chips? Cookies? How about seaweed rice crackers?

Yep, that’s right seaweed rice crackers, or SRCs as I like to call them.

Now before we dive into my opinions on whether they’re healthy or not, let’s first understand what makes up these crunchy bites.

What are seaweed rice crackers?

Seaweed rice crackers are a type of cracker made from glutinous rice flour mixed with water and seasonings such as salt, sugar and soy sauce. They also contain nori seaweed which is commonly used in Japanese cuisine. The mixture is then flattened and baked until crispy.

Nutritional Facts

Before going further with our discussion if SRCs are healthy (which I KNOW YOU ARE EAGER TO HEAR) let’s take a look at its nutrition facts below:

Per 1 oz (28g)
Calories 130 kcal
Fat 4 g
-Saturated 0 g
-Trans 0 g
Cholesterol 0 mg
Carbohydrates 23 g
-Fiber 2 g (score)
-Sugar

Source: USDA Food Composition Databases

The snacks are low-fat but carb-rich also note that it has fiber content equaling two grams!

Why people love seabites

Everybody has one guilty pleasure when it comes to food. For some people might be pizza; others crave spaghetti bolognese every day whilst others can’t do without a bag of chips. However, there are some that live for the unique and intriguing flavor of Seaweed Rice Crackers!

Here’s why people love them:

Crunch

One thing you cannot miss when it comes to seaweed rice crackers is their crunch level. A single bite releases tantalizing sounds in your mouth.

Versatile Addition

I’m sure you’ve served yourself a slice (or two) of cheese on a cracker before, but if you ever want an upgrade in taste technology (look at me being all science-y) then SRCs got your back! SRCs have flavors like sour cream and ranch which satisfies everyone’s palate preference.

Good Alternative to Traditional Snacks

When trying to avoid sugary snacks or those with high saturated fats content, many look into healthier alternatives such as fruits and vegetables. But when craving something crunchy, this snack can finely substitute any chips variety.

So from my perspective (which I know doesn’t matter but hear me out here), Seaweed Rice Crackers truly deserve the attention they have been garnering among snack lovers worldwide.

But now let’s move on to the question that really matters: Are they indeed healthy?

Let’s dig deep – are They Healthy?

Yes and no! It depends on what “healthy” means.

If we define it as low caloric count while keeping nutritious values intact, one would be able to reason that yes––it is healthy!

However:

  • High sodium levels
    Seaweed is known for having high-bromo content thus causing its saltiness lingers after consuming them. Its calorie-to-sodium ratio should be kept always monitored since only 1 oz /28g source has ≈260 mg ! . The recommended daily intake of sodium varies between countries could range between 2g-6g depending on profession/medical conditions etc.

  • MSG Levels
    The widely-controversial monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a well-known seasoning found in Asian cuisine. And SRCs rely heavily on MSG as an added flavoring agent which can pose health risks to people who are on the sensitive spectrum of this substance intake.

  • Possible Allergies
    Some individuals have food sensitivities, so consuming these seaweed crackers can lead to serious side effects for those with the tendency or allergies.

Final Remarks

So there you have it (you made it through the end; congrats)! Seaweed rice crackers –– like any other snack –– has its positive and negative sides. It all boils down to moderation: how often do you consume them? Are they part of your daily meal or just reserved for special moments?

Dietary habits differ from one person to another, and that’s okay! The world would be boring if we were all alike (insert YAWN here) To answer our earlier question, then––If eaten moderately: Yes! Seaweed Rice Crackers are healthy!

But hey… everything is relative.

I’ll let you decide whether “healthy” means avoiding high-salt snacks or indulging once in awhile with something uniquely delicious 🙂

Thanks for reading my witty article about these fantastic treats that always leave me craving more until I’ve gone ahead and finished ¾ of my packet!

#The End

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