3 Reasons to Avoid Ritz Crackers
50 
January 27, 2010 ‹ newer older ›
I'm locking my doors tonight in case the people from Nabsico try to take their revenge. Why, Snack-Girl, do you need to mess with an American icon?
Ritz crackers are as American as apple pie, the Simpsons, and Chevrolet (are they still in business?). I remember my parents buying boxes of them. Their lovely red box with the blue and yellow - and the crackers - yum!
At a certain point, my parents stopped buying them and started serving "Stoned Wheat" crackers. The name made me laugh and Ritz seemed to just disappear from the house.
What is wrong with Ritz?
- High Fructose Corn Syrup is one of the ingredients. Why do you need sugar in a cracker? It seems totally unnecessary and just adds hidden calories to the food.
- There is 5% of your daily allowance of saturated fat in each serving. Again, added fat in a cracker makes no sense. A cracker should be just flour, water, and salt. And saturated fat! Didn't they get the memo?
- Zero fiber per serving - One of the benefits of eating bread or crackers is fiber. Don't look for any in a Ritz cracker.
This cracker will melt into pure sugar once it hits your digestive juices. Have you ever noticed that as you chew a Ritz that it starts to taste really sweet? Your saliva is already getting to work on breaking down the carbohydrates into sugar).
This is junk food. Nabisco uses white flour, corn syrup, and fat to destroy a perfectly healthy snack - a cracker.
There are SO many better choices out there than Ritz. I will be featuring more healthy crackers as I find them (yes, I am looking at you, Kashi).
Do you have a favorite cracker? What do you eat it with? Please share below.
Want to read about more snacks?
A Whole Food Snack of Salty Deliciousness and A Winner!
A Habit That May Be Costing You 500 Calories per Day
A Dip that Won't Kill You
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50 Comments:
These all have 20%-35% Fiber/Total Carb ratio:
Dr. Kracker
Ry Krisp
Wasa
Brian Hill on January 27, 2010
I love Triscuits. Especially the flavored ones like fire roasted tomato and cracked pepper. I know they aren't the healthiest in the world but not as bad as Ritz for sure!
Claire on January 27, 2010
I avoid all processed foods. Ritz crackers aren't any exception to that rule. In fact, I wouldn't endorse Kashi either. It's owned by Kellogg's and likes to hide the true content of sugar in its products by using different types. Then it doesn't have to list "sugar" as the first ingredient.
Candice on January 27, 2010
Well, there goes my love for Ritz. I feed them to my children but not anymore! I am trying to become more of a label reader. I am finding that a lot of the foods I love have HFCS! a real disappointment. Thank you for this.
Shaun on January 27, 2010
Back to Nature's Multigrain Flax Flatbread Crackers are my new fave. I love them with Tomato Soup.
Tracy on January 27, 2010
I don't care for crackers, but my family does. They like All-Bran crakers but that too has some corn syrup, just not the HFCS, but I still need better cracker for them.
It really is a a disgusting disgrace that the food industry knowingly makes products that are bad for their own customers' health. As a small business owner, I can't imagine producing and selling a dangerous product!
Katherine on January 27, 2010
I'm sad to learn this about Ritz, but really appreciate the info! In our household, we really enjoy: Stacy's whole wheat Pita chips, Dr. Kracker (good fiber and protein in the pumpkin seed cheddar) and Orbello's flat bread crackers with Rosemary (sometimes hard to find as its from Italy, but i see at World Market and Big Lots).
Frugal in Fort Worth on January 27, 2010
I am in love with Mary's Gone Crackers! Gluten-free, dairy-free, certified organic, no sugar, no transfat or hydrogenated oils. Delicious and crunchy.
Val on January 27, 2010
I have actually compared a few brands and I chose Triscuit's. My favorite is the garden herb with some cheese. They are made with very few ingredients, and I feel that is important. If someone feels my choice is bad please let me know, I would appreciate it.
Steve on January 29, 2010
im glad to see someone else likes marys gone crackers! they're amazing in health and taste. wasa is great too and they have a high fibe3r version. wheat thins dont use entirely whole wheat and they have msg so watch out. its true most crackers are junk food! better stick with carrots n celery for dipping
roo on January 29, 2010
Why do Ritz crackers have all those "evil" things you mention? To make them taste so good -- duh!!
You make some very valid points, but I'm not going to give up something that tastes that good when virtually all of the suggested alternatives are about as flavorful as cardboard.
I just won't scarf down as many of them as I used to before reading this!
CoffeeMan on January 29, 2010
You forgot, they can also be a bit addictive.But so can "All Bran" crackers they too are really good and all my kids love them. Ritz has come out with new flavors.At Christmas they had some dipped in chocolate..sooo good. Like pretzels dipped in chocolate.ok ok no I don't work for Nabisco, but try the "All Bran" they have to flavors and the ones in the brown box are really good. :)
Great blog you have!!!
Erika on January 29, 2010
I just bought a box bec they were on sale. After eating only whole wheat crackers for years, these taste just like cookies. When I need a quick little sugar fix, I grab a couple. My 3yo son won't eat them. He says, "they're not whole wheat and I don't like them." Way to go kiddo! I'm going to have my husband take them to work and put them on the lunch table.
Josey on February 1, 2010
I like the low salt triscuits. There is just enough salt for me. The regular triscuits are too salty. I end up eating too many so my original intention of eating a more healthy snack kind of goes out the door!
Missy on March 30, 2010
What about the Whole Wheat Ritz? My husband and I think they taste better than the original. But, like any processed snacks, they are consumed in moderation...
Stephanie on April 14, 2010
My favorite cracker is Triscuit with Rosemary & Olive Oil.
Maggie Smallwood on April 21, 2010
@Stephanie, my kids devour the Whole Wheat Ritz, but they do list hfcs on the ingredients... just checked.
Lou Doench on April 29, 2010
I recently discovered your blog, and I love it. My poor husband is having all his illusions shattered regularly now.
Anyway, about Ritz Crackers being "as American as apple pie". When I was a kid, my mom made "apple" pie from Ritz crackers. It tasted remarkably apple-like, but the filling was all Ritz crackers. She only did it once - we all felt cheated when she told us the truth - but I remember it vividly. And there's got to be something wrong with a cracker that you can use for pie filling, wouldn't you agree?
Wendy on May 4, 2010
My favorite cracker is Ryvita Sesame/Rye (more like a dry toast or flat bread). They offer 4 grams of fiber per serving, lots of yummy seeds and just a hint of salt. I add a slice of monster cheese (OK, Muenster cheese), a few slices of cherry tomato, a bit of wholegrain mustard and I have a quick lunch for under 180 calories! If I add a small salad, I'm satiated :)
Lynda on May 5, 2010
I think my favorite cracker would have to be Wasa. I like the oats and sesame one.
Add some laughing cow cheese, sliced tomato and pepper - yum!
Karen on May 8, 2010
If you're truly concerned about your health—which you should be if you visit this website—then why do you even eat crackers? Flirting w/disaster!
Deez on May 8, 2010
I for one can not give up Ritz Crackers! And the one really yummy treat, Ritz w/ peanut butter and dipped in rich dark chocolate! The best snack ever
Joey on October 25, 2010
I feel so enlightened. And a little sick since I just over ate some WW Ritz.
JB on October 28, 2010
RITZ crackers are very addictive. I'm gonna have to avoid this altogether because I can not eat just 1. I'll inhale the entire row.
Ann on November 9, 2010
The worst part of it is what I call the trans fat lie. The label states zero trans fats. If fact, like many other processed foods, these crackers have trans fats in 'em.
More about the trans fat lie at ...
http://www.partiallyhydrogenated.com
Ken Leebow on December 9, 2010
I love my Wasa. They are amazing. I mix chopped black olives, sundried tomatoes, Italian seasoning and a little honey with low-fat cream cheese and spread it on Wasa....amazing!!
Jenn on December 9, 2010
Oh stop with the trans fat hysteria, already. It has a minuscule amount, sure, but trans fat won't kill you.
Too much fat (of almost any kind) and too little exercise will kill you. Eat whatever you want in moderation, but walk it off!
CoffeeMan on December 9, 2010
It's not really hysteria. Hydrogenated oils are actually slightly toxic. They do occur naturally, but in much smaller amounts that are consumed by people even in products that contain them at a level low enough to be able to say '0' on the Nutrition Facts label - 0.5g or less. Eat enough of those servings, and you're hardly at '0' any more. And in Ritz Crackers, partially hydrogenated soybean oil appears second on the label.
But I do think that we're still stuck on the fat consumption hysteria in general. Bleached carbs, like Ritz crackers, are what are really fattening us up and malnourishing us. Generally, the more fiber a carbohydate-centric product has, the more likely you are getting a some whole grain. Ritz Crackers have no measurable fiber.
The reality is that for a high percentage of people, almost totally eliminating bleached carbs and useless/toxic fats is the only way they can stay disciplined enough to maintain an improved diet.
Sorry, Ritz - you're a loser all around. Wasa, Dr. Kracker, you win. ;-)
Brian Hill on December 9, 2010
I LOVE wheat thins, sundried tomato basil. I eat them with the laughing cow cheese, its a great snack and keeps me full for a while =)
Heather on December 10, 2010
Um...I love sugar. Sweet teeth run in the family and I've got'm. Dear Ritz, never mind those puttn' it on. I love you.
Cracked on December 11, 2010
I STILL LOVE RITZ CRACKER!!!!!!!!!!!! ITS SO YUMMY!!!!! :)
diamond on January 7, 2011
I had not purchased Ritz Crackers for many years, did not want to consume much salt. However, last week Purchased some of the expensive Ritz Crackers. What a terrible disappointment. There is no trace of the incredibly delicious Ritz that I remebered. I could not believe the bland cracker could be a "real" Ritz and I went to check the box for something that indicated that it was really a fake! But It's still Nabisco in every way except taste and smell.
evelyn clarke on January 17, 2011
My cracker of choice is Club. Delicious..which is all I require for a $4.00 box of crackers. Ritz lost its flavor somewhere along the line. Sorry Ritz.
evelyn clarke on January 17, 2011
Who cares about nutritional value? Put the food in your mouth now and worry about the effects later.
Wilvin on January 31, 2011
I eat Wheat Thins or Triscuit's. Mostly Wheat Thins though. (Actually eating Wheat Thins right now haha) I know theres alot more healthier choices, but come on, Kashi's super expensive.
Anyone else think its okay to be eating Wheat Thins?? I eat the 100% Whole Grain.
Cassie on February 15, 2011
Normally I eat stuff that has a lot more fiber etc. but I've found reduced fat Ritz crackers VERY useful for one particular reason (and I will only need one serving of five crackers for this--or sometimes less like three...)
I get allergy related postnasal drip and sometimes I wake up nauseated. I've tried various things for this (including classic saltines) but there is something about the lower fat Ritz crackers that settles my stomach. I can actually eat a decent breakfast half to a full hour later!
Sue on February 17, 2011
Thanks to a friend's suggestion, I finally found a tasty, accurate alternative to RITZ, since NABISCO insists on using High Fructose Corn Syrup, not to mention enriched flour & partially hydrogenated oils in their crackers.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000CFJDWY/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_...rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B000CFLBEM&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1BGWPNRSY3JT9VT15FCT
DonewithHFCS on February 18, 2011
I like Ak-mak (whole wheat crackers w/ sesame seeds -- even my teenage son will eat these with tuna salad or peanut butter), and various kinds of Triscuits.
Chrsis on March 17, 2011
As a treat, my mom used to give us Ritz, with peanut butter and a slice of banana on top. Pretty much "cupcake like" in sweetness.
Leslie on May 24, 2011
ak-mak 100%! whole of the wheat stone ground sesame crackers. My hippie community decided this was the ultimate cracker. I am still a die hard fan and introduce this yummy cracker to everyone!
ocean on August 2, 2011
Great, currently giving the box of Ritz crackers i bought yesterday the *side eye*.
Shayna on November 1, 2011
Give me a break. I eat Ritz with full fat cheese and I love it. I also eat real butter, and the list goes on. I also run 10-15 miles a week and and in great shape. If everyone got off of their asses and exercised more, they wouldn't have to worry about eating Ritz. Simple as that.
NJP on December 19, 2011
I love Wasa Crispbreads and Finn Crisps. They are both low in fat and have tons of fiber. They are also hearty, crunchy and hold up well when you pile tons of fruit or cheese on them.
Liz on January 18, 2012
Ritz crackers like all store bought crackers also contain BHT a preservative that is speculated to cause cancer.
nancy on January 19, 2012
I have found the comments more informative than the actual blog. My son has celiac and is on a Gluten free diet. One of his favorite meals use to be chicken casserole with, "da,da,da,da ritz crackers" which he can no longer have. But what he would give to stick one of those buttery, fatty, sugary goodies in his mouth.
With that being said, i am going to try to research the Mary's gone crackers. Are they similar to ritz as I would love for him to be able to devour some chicken casserole again.
sara on January 29, 2012
I stick with Ak-mak crackers, only 4 ingredients..and whole wheat.
Tiffany on April 10, 2012
Just a note to those who mentioned triscuits as healthier: make sure to read the ingredient list. SOME of the flavored ones have msg.
Karen on April 10, 2012
Regular triscuits only have 3 ingredients, so they're a better choice. I love anything Kashi. They have wheat thin-type crackers, cheese crackers, pita crackers.
Tricia on April 10, 2012
my children get so angry when i ask them to read the ingredents, they dont even bother because they know what is in it and i wont let them have it. that hfcs is bad news, it is chemicaly processed 29 more times more then corn syrup!! crazy and scary! is it any wonder that the obesity rate jumped 4X when it was invented! invented! that should be your first clue!
brandie on April 10, 2012
Gayle on January 27, 2010