Even doctors want to indulge in food outside their regular meal rotation from time to time. So, what do they reach for?
We've asked a series of different doctors, including heart, gut and obesity medicine specialists, what they typically eat, including what they snack on.
Here's what three different doctors shared. For more specialized guidance, speak with your own medical provider.
What an obesity medicine specialist snacks on
Dr. Susan Wolver, director of the Virginia Commonwealth University Health Weight Loss Program, told USA TODAY when it comes to snacks, she reaches for nuts, cheese or yogurt (if she didn't already have some for breakfast).
What a cardiologist treats himself to
Dr. Renato Apolito, a board-certified physician in interventional
cardiology and cardiovascular disease, told USA TODAY his treats include dark chocolate, dark chocolate-covered almonds and dried fruit with ricotta or honey.
He said this satisfies him "as much as any candy bar."
What a gastroenterologist treats himself to
Dr. Arun Swaminath, the chief of gastroenterology at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York, told USA TODAY treats are typically reserved for Friday nights for his family: "We always get pizza."
"We're usually watching a family movie together, and it's probably the only time my kids see me have any soda," he said, but adds they only ever get the mini cans.
'Be your own best detective'
While nutrition experts agree that whole foods are best, access and affordability are major factors when it comes to what Americans decide to eat.
More than half of the calories consumed at home by adults and children in the United States come from ultra-processed foods, according to a 2025 analysis from the National Center for Health Statistics.
Even if you think something is healthy, Wolver advises to "please turn that box around."
"You need to be your own best detective because they're trying to sell you a product, and most of the time, if it's in a box or a bag, it's not going to be the best product," she said.
The latest federal Dietary Guidelines also recommend avoiding highly processed "packaged, prepared, ready-to-eat or other foods that are salty or sweet." This includes products like chips, cookies and candy with added sugars and salt.
While Apolito finds whole foods "as satisfying as any fast or processed food," he understands we all "need a treat occasionally."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What 3 different doctors eat when they want a snack or a treat
