Funyons: An Ultra-Processed Snack Food
Try these 8 healthier snack options.
My husband, Robert, used to have a coworker named Dave who enjoyed a daily snack habit of Funyons from the office vending machine.
Dave would return to his desk with that little yellow bag, open it, and release the familiar onion-y snack aroma of Funyons into the wild.
Crunch!
“So, Dave, what exactly is a Funyon?”
“I don’t really know…”, as Dave looked at the bag, carefully reviewing the ingredients for the first time. “Huh. There’s not even any onions in a Funyon.”
What’s a Funyon?
Funyuns are a brand of onion-flavored corn snacks made by Frito-Lay.
Despite their name, they don’t contain any real onions but are shaped like onion rings and have a savory, crunchy texture.
And, despite the lack of any healthy ingredients, Funyons are shockingly popular.
Approximately 2.02 million Americans reported consuming eight or more bags of Funyuns within a 30-day period in 2020. (source)
Funyuns as a food product experienced a 7.1% increase in sales during the 52 weeks ending September 5, 2021. (source)
In the 52 weeks ending April 17, 2022, Funyuns generated $498 million in sales, marking a 2.2% increase from the previous period. (source)
Funyons are Full of Goo!
Never mind that they don’t contain any real onions whatsoever, they do have several ingredients that made The Goo Index.
Enriched Corn Meal. Made from processed corn, often genetically modified (GMO) and stripped of natural nutrients. It is fortified with synthetic vitamins and minerals to replace those lost during processing.
Vegetable Oils. Specifically, these are Corn, Canola, or Sunflower Oil, which are often highly processed and can be high in omega-6 fatty acids, which contribute to inflammation. Some of these oils are also extracted using chemical solvents.
Corn Starch. A refined carbohydrate used as a thickener and texture enhancer. It has little to no nutritional value and can cause rapid blood sugar spikes, contributing to cravings and energy crashes.
Sugar. Even though they are a savory snack, Funyuns contain added sugar, which can contribute to blood sugar spikes and cravings.
Maltodextrin. A highly processed carbohydrate derived from corn, used as a thickener and filler. It has a high glycemic index and can spike blood sugar levels quickly.
Monosodium Glutamate (MSG). A flavor enhancer that can trigger addictive eating behaviors and cause headaches or sensitivities in some people.
Hydrolyzed Corn Protein. A processed protein source that can contain free glutamate, similar to MSG, contributing to intense umami flavor and potential overstimulation of taste receptors.
Dextrose. A simple sugar derived from corn that rapidly raises blood sugar levels, contributing to energy crashes and increased cravings for more processed foods.
Natural Flavors. A broad term that can include chemically processed flavor compounds derived from plant or animal sources. These additives enhance taste but are often highly refined and may contain hidden additives or solvents.
Gum Arabic. A fiber-based emulsifier and stabilizer derived from acacia tree sap. While it can act as a prebiotic, it may cause digestive discomfort like bloating or gas, especially when consumed in large amounts.
Let’s take a closer look:
8 Healthy Snack Alternatives to Funyons
If you love crunchy savory snacks like Funyons, but don’t want to load up your system with Goo, try these healthy snack alternatives that you can make from home using simple ingredients that you can get from your local grocery store.
1. Crispy Baked Onion Rings
Ingredients: Onion slices, eggs, whole wheat flour (or almond flour), panko or crushed nuts, salt, and pepper.
How to Make: Dip onion rings in flour, then beaten eggs, then panko. Bake at 400°F for 15-20 minutes until crispy.
2. Homemade Cheese Crisps
Ingredients: Shredded cheddar or parmesan cheese.
How to Make: Place small piles of shredded cheese on a baking sheet, bake at 375°F for 5-7 minutes until crispy.
3. Roasted Chickpeas
Ingredients: Canned chickpeas, olive oil, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika.
How to Make: Drain and dry chickpeas, toss with seasoning, and bake at 400°F for 25-30 minutes.
4. Baked Sweet Potato Chips
Ingredients: Sweet potatoes, olive oil, sea salt.
How to Make: Slice thinly, toss with oil and salt, bake at 375°F for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway.
5. Spiced Kale Chips
Ingredients: Kale leaves, olive oil, sea salt, garlic powder, nutritional yeast (for a cheesy flavor).
How to Make: Tear kale into pieces, toss with seasonings, bake at 300°F for 10-15 minutes.
6. Crunchy Almond Flour Crackers
Ingredients: Almond flour, egg, olive oil, sea salt.
How to Make: Mix ingredients, roll out thin, cut into squares, bake at 350°F for 12-15 minutes.
7. Roasted Sunflower or Pumpkin Seeds
Ingredients: Raw sunflower or pumpkin seeds, olive oil, sea salt, smoked paprika.
How to Make: Toss seeds with oil and seasoning, bake at 325°F for 15-20 minutes.
8. Air-Popped Popcorn with Nutritional Yeast
Ingredients: Popcorn kernels, coconut oil or butter, nutritional yeast, sea salt.
How to Make: Pop kernels in an air popper or stovetop, toss with seasonings.
Before you wander over to the vending machine for a crunchy snack like Funyons, consider the healthier alternatives that you can enjoy to satisfy that snack-attack craving that won’t leave you craving more.
If you’re not sure about a specific ingredient and want to learn more about whether it qualifies as Goo, leave a comment or reach out and ask me!
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