You’ve got a steaming slice of pie on your plate, and you want comfort in each bite. But what if pie is a disaster hiding under that golden crust of a tent? With too much sugar and mystery ingredients, not every pie belongs on your table. A recent survey found that 68 percent of commercially prepared pies contain a slice with more sugar than the recommended daily intake. Moreover, more than 40% of commercially prepared pies contain synthetic preservatives and flavorings, which may raise long-term health concerns.
They fall into the sort of indulgences that also tend to accrue a lot of empty calories. At the same time, nutritional value is barely present, costing both your health and your pocket. To guide you away from poor decisions, here are 12 pies that fail to meet the standards for health, quality, or taste.
Pecan Pie
Pecan pie may be delicious with its rich, shiny filling, but it’s one of the highest-calorie pies you can eat. According to the United States Department of Agriculture’s nutritional data, one slice contains more than 500 calories and over 30 grams of sugar.
The corn syrup-fueled filling is a sugar bomb that only increases your chances of experiencing blood sugar spikes and crashes. Dietitians warn that the saturated fat in such pies, coming from butter-loaded crusts and sugary toppings, doesn’t help either when it comes to heart health.
Even the holiday staple pecan pie has little to recommend it, a moment of fleeting pleasure and a burst of sugar notwithstanding. Experts suggest saving it for special occasions or, if you’re basing your snack on nuts, opting for the nut version instead.
Banoffee Pie
Banoffee pie, with its layers of bananas, whipped cream, and caramel, is high in sugar and trans fats. According to findings published by nutrition experts, one serving can contain more than 70% of the recommended daily intake—the average banoffee pie slice (~85g) has 20g of sugar, analysts reported.
The combination of condensed milk and caramel makes it very high in calories, at times exceeding 450 calories per slice. To make matters worse, preservatives and artificial flavorings in excessively processed crusts further diminish their health benefits. For anyone sensitive to sugar or watching their weight, this dessert is a potential quick regret.
Frozen Chocolate Cream Pie
Store-bought frozen pies often rely on artificial preservatives and hydrogenated oils to maintain their freshness. Just one slice contains a significant amount of saturated fat and refined sugars, which together can account for up to 60% of your recommended daily intake of saturated fat.
A study by Consumer Reports on frozen dessert products found that chocolate cream versions often lack genuine dairy or chocolate in favor of less expensive substitutes. This, of course, renders them nutritionally lacking and much less tasty than a homemade version. Dietitians recommend that consumers read ingredient labels closely or prepare this dessert at home to avoid problematic additives.
Key Lime Pie with Food Coloring
A favorite island sweet, key lime pie, can easily become a disaster when store-bought versions are packed with chemical-laden ingredients. Some especially bright green pies get their color from synthetic dyes rather than fresh lime.
A study of food additives published in the Journal of Food Science found that artificial color consumption above a certain threshold has been associated with negative health effects, including hyperactivity in children. Additionally, premade versions can be loaded with 50 grams of sugar per slice, leaving you with hardly any of the sour lime flavor and a significant amount of empty calories. Choose from scratch-made versions made with actual, fresh citrus for the healthier option.
Deep-Fried Pies
Deep-fried pies might remind you of state fairs, but they are some of the most unhealthy pies you can eat. Frying also makes any dessert significantly more caloric, frequently doubling the calories you’d find in its oven-baked counterpart.
According to a study conducted by the American Heart Association, regularly consuming fried items can increase the risk of diabetes and heart-related issues due to higher levels of trans fats in frying oils. Fried pies also tend to be smaller in portion size, which can prompt overeating. A veggie filling, with all the fat of the meat still present and no complex flavors created by 400 degrees of oven heat, is not a great taste or health bargain, either.
Frozen Pumpkin Pie
Even when they’re made with an ingredient as nutrient-rich as pumpkin, frozen pumpkin pies do not always offer the same health benefits as a freshly baked version. So-called pre-frozen selections often contain preservatives and added styling products, as well as artificial sweeteners or added fats, which can strip the vitamin A and fiber.
One slice of frozen pumpkin pie may contain as many as 15 grams of added sugars and more than 20 percent of your daily total fat limit. Although homemade pumpkin pie may be healthier, frozen varieties offer fewer nutritional benefits. For those who are health-conscious and love pie, homemade pumpkin purée is always the best option.
Cheesecake Pie
Cheesecake pies present myriad dietary challenges. The filling alone is packed with saturated fat from cream cheese and heavy cream. Depending on the brand or preparation, a slice can contain upwards of 400 calories and more than 25 grams of sugar.
Additionally, although they may seem lighter, graham cracker crusts contain refined carbs with little fiber. Standing alone, constant intake of high-fat, high-sugar desserts is a true contributor to obesity and metabolic health issues, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Prepackaged Apple Pie
Although apple pie appears wholesome, store-bought versions often contain several unhealthy fillers and added sugars. Commercially prepared, these pies are made with inferior apples, a mushy filling, and high-fructose corn syrup.
According to consumer watchdog reports, some brands also use trans fats and artificial preservatives to keep the product shelf-stable. These elements lower the nutritional content and may also result in a sickly sweet pie that fails to achieve a genuine flavor.
Free Pies with Artificial Sugar Substitutes
Despite the name, many sugar-free pies are laden with artificial sweeteners like aspartame or sucralose. Although these choices reduce the number of calories, according to National Institutes of Health research, overusing artificial sweeteners could alter the gut microbiome and lead to stronger cravings for sugar.
What’s more, sugar-free pies are often lacking in texture and flavor, which can leave you unsatisfied with your dessert. Small portions of old-school pie may be a better choice than sugar-free pies packed with artificial ingredients.
Pizza Dessert Pies
The latest innovation in desserts features pizza-style pie crusts topped with chocolate spread, marshmallows, and other sweet treats. Calories per slice can range from 300 to 500, depending on the toppings.
A meta-analysis of 31 studies (encompassing 1,259 participants) found that consuming a high amount of carbohydrates or sugar doesn’t boost mood or provide energy.
Instead, within the first hour, it has been proven to increase fatigue and reduce alertness when compared to a placebo. Furthermore, they tend not to provide a balanced mix of nutrients and often use premade bases that lack any nutritional value. Those pies are more likely to induce a sugar crash than to stave off a desire to grab something sweet.
Peanut Butter Pie
Peanut butter pie, the more decadent filling that includes healthful fats from peanuts, is likewise bracketed by sugar, butter, and cream in conventional recipes. A single slice, for instance, contains as many as 450 calories and more than 30 grams of fat, a large portion of which is saturated.
Dietitians note that peanut butter is a healthy and satisfying snack on its own. Still, pie recipes often introduce it to a far more indulgent cast of characters. For a lighter version, use unsweetened peanut butter and light cream in your recipe.
Coconut Cream Pie
Saturated fats in coconut milk and shredded coconut in a coconut cream pie are just unnecessary calories going to your thighs. According to current USDA guidelines, saturated fat should account for no more than 10% of an individual’s daily calorie intake.
Still, just one slice of coconut cream pie blows that cap to bits. It makes a crush, or with additional sweeteners and a dense crust, this dessert can scream a weight loss deterrent.
Key Takeaways
Not all pies are created equal, and some can leave you feeling regret instead of satisfaction. Whether it’s the sugar-filled pecan pie or the chemical-laden frozen variety, these 12 pies aim to show the White Picket Fence Nation that it might be time for a little mindful eating, a little self-care, and a little ingredient awareness.
Whenever possible, opt for homemade recipes and fresh ingredients to enjoy the best of both flavor and nutrients. By being thoughtful, making smart swaps, and paying attention, you can enjoy desserts without hurting yourself.
Disclaimer – This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information. It is not intended to be professional advice.
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Do you have a kitchen hack we should know about?
