71 Crackers Nutrition Facts: Should We Even Be Eating Them?

Anusuya Mukherjee
Oct 25, 2023 By Anusuya Mukherjee
Originally Published on Jan 06, 2022
It is interesting to know about crackers' nutrition facts.

Everyone loves a midnight snack.

Crackers, in particular, are loved by all. It is, therefore, important to know which ones have a good nutritional value and about their calorie content.

It is important to know the nutrition present in crackers. Some crackers may contain a high amount of saturated fat which can lead to various health diseases like cholesterol. However, not all crackers are unhealthy.

There are many brands that are safe to eat and will not cause any health problems in the long run if they are eaten in control. It is important to learn how much calcium or other nutrients is present in each serving.

For example, a single serving of Ritz crackers contains 80 calories. Some crackers may also contain a high amount of salt.

Too much sodium in your body can affect your health in detrimental ways and can cause severe health diseases in the long run. People suffering from high cholesterol should eat crackers with low fat or no fat.

If you liked reading about this topic, then why not also read about chip nutrition facts and flour nutrition facts here on Kidadl.

Fun Facts About Crackers

Crackers are flat-baked food products that are typically made out of wheat flour. The size varies from brand to brand. On average, the size of crackers is generally 3.15 in (8 cm) in length. The shape of crackers also varies a lot. While some may be rectangular or square in shape, others can also be a triangle in shape.

Different types of seasonings like salt, sugar, and natural flavor are also added to make them delicious. In some brands like those from Keebler Club, high fructose corn syrup is also used to make them taste better.Crackers are not considered to be a good substitute for whole grain bread, in terms of weight management or loss.

Crackers are mainly eaten as snacks and taste good almost with anything, including cheese, peanut butter, sliced vegetables, and even meat. On the packaging of each brand of cracker, nutrition information is provided. While some may have a high amount of carbohydrate and potassium in them, others may have more protein or be higher in calories.

Nonetheless, crackers are a delightful food to eat anytime with your friends and family. The term' cracker' is usually used to refer to salty biscuits, while the term' cookies' is used for sweet ones.

Nutritional Facts About Crackers

It is very important to know the nutrient and vitamin makeup of crackers and whether nutrients like calcium and many others are present. While some brands may be healthy, some are declared to be extremely unhealthy by health experts.

As many as 62.3 calories can be present in a single serving of saltines, which consists of five crackers. Not only calories, but a single-serving also contains 0.04 oz (1 g) of protein and the carbohydrate amount is 0.39 oz (11g).

Other brands like Pretzel Chips, for example, contain as many as 110 calories along with 0.8 oz (2 g) sugar,0.11 oz (3 g) protein, and 0.78 oz (22 g) of carbohydrate as well. All these are present in just a single serving.

When you add other elements alongside this food, like peanut butter, for example, it goes on to add further calories to your diet. Adding peanut butter will increase the calories to 210, along with 0.32 oz (9 g) protein.

Some of the micronutrients present in crackers include vitamin A, vitamin B6, vitamin E, and vitamin K, iron, copper, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, and selenium. The nutrients like calcium, vitamins, protein, or potassium in each cracker are different for each brand.

Some brands of crackers have been declared unhealthy by health experts, because of the high amount of calories found in them, as well fat and sugar. These include Ritz Crackers, Keebler Club, and Wheat Thins.

A single serving of these brands can contain a very rich amount of nutrients that may harm your body if consumption is not under control.

For example, a single serving of Wheat Thins contain a high amount of sugar and contains as much as 140 calories along with 0.14 oz (4 g) sugar and the carbohydrate amount is 0.78 oz (22g).

A single serving of Ritz Crackers, on the other hand, contains 80 calories, and the carbohydrate amount is 0.35 oz (10g). Protein is very important for your body, but to keep the food under check and in balance is equally important.

Harmful Facts About Crackers

Generally made out of wheat flour, a lot of brands include many artificial flavors and the crackers go through various processing stages, which is not only harmful to your body but also can cause various health diseases in the long run.

It is, therefore, important to know how much of a nutrient is present in a single serving of each cracker variety. Some crackers are very rich in sugar and saturated fat, which can lead to various health problems like an increased level of cholesterol.

High cholesterol is often associated with an increase in the risk of a heart attack.

As well as consuming artificial flavors, high salt intake is also a source of health diseases in human beings. A high amount of sodium in the blood doesn't only increase the blood levels but also increases the chance of being affected by many cardiovascular diseases.

For people with high cholesterol, it is usually recommended to eat crackers that contain low fat or are fat-free. Too much use of baking soda in crackers can disrupt the health of an individual in serious ways.

Facts About Crackers' Preparation Process

Crackers can broadly be divided into two categories, saltine-type crackers also known as soda crackers, and chemical type crackers also known as snack crackers. The preparation process for these two varieties differs a lot.

Snack crackers usually use proteolytic enzymes, while sponge and dough are used for the soda crackers. Compared to snack crackers, soda crackers also tend to be much drier and flakier.

Furthermore, soda crackers contain a low amount of fat as well. The processing of crackers involves the use of powerful ovens to evaporate the water from the crackers.

Simultaneously, heavy mesh oven buns are also used in the making of crackers. It is a tedious process to get the best flavorful crackers.

Before eating any crackers, you must check all the ingredients, like calcium, protein, calories, saturated fat, and potassium. Another important thing to keep in mind is that, while having these crackers in low amounts is fine, eating too many of them can turn out to be dangerous because of the various health diseases that are associated with them.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for 71 crackers nutrition facts: should we be even eating them? Then why not take a look at hummus nutrition facts, or jaggery nutrition facts.

We Want Your Photos!
We Want Your Photos!

We Want Your Photos!

Do you have a photo you are happy to share that would improve this article?
Email your photos

More for You

See All

Written by Anusuya Mukherjee

Bachelor of Arts and Law specializing in Political Science and Intellectual Property Rights

Anusuya Mukherjee picture

Anusuya MukherjeeBachelor of Arts and Law specializing in Political Science and Intellectual Property Rights

With a wealth of international experience spanning Europe, Africa, North America, and the Middle East, Anusuya brings a unique perspective to her work as a Content Assistant and Content Updating Coordinator. She holds a law degree from India and has practiced law in India and Kuwait. Anusuya is a fan of rap music and enjoys a good cup of coffee in her free time. Currently, she is working on her novel, "Mr. Ivory Merchant".

Read full bio >