Saturday, March 19, 2011

Options for Healthier Chips

One of my favorite snack foods to discuss with clients are chips! Of course not all chips are healthy, and in fact most of them aren't healthy at all. A couple months ago I found this article on CookingLight.com, which listed the top ten most healthy chips.


Source: iStockPhoto

I don't always agree with these articles, but this one was written by an RD (making it much more credible, in my opinion) and I agreed with each and every one! Here are some of the chips that were listed;

  • Terra Chips; Plain Sweet Potato ** I would argue that all Terra Chips are a healthier alternative to regular potato chips. I tell clients about these quite often **
  • Food Should Taste Good; Blue Corn Tortilla Chips ** I'm also a fan of their sweet potato flavor, and olive flavor.....YUM! **

Many times when I'm trying to explain to people that a certain chip is actually healthier than others, they look at me in disbelief because the fat content is typically still really high. So, what do I consider a "healthier" chip?

  • Low sodium (under 140 mg per serving)
  • Under 1 gram of saturated fat, and of course ZERO trans fat
  • 2 or more grams of fiber
  • Good source (10% of DV, or more) of some type of vitamin or mineral; such as vitamin A in the Terra chips


When people tell me they eat pretzels for a "healthy snack" (ahem...DAD!), I try to nicely explain to them that there is zero health benefit from pretzels (and no, I could care less if they are baked and not fried);




Source: SnydersOfHanover.com

What about whole wheat pretzels? Much better, in my opinion, because at least you are getting a good source of natural vitamins, antioxidants, and fiber.



QUESTION: What's your favorite chip? Healthy...or not, I guess I don't care for this question. My favorite chips are Doritos! The chips I eat most often would be Terra sweet potato chips, and also the veggie chips I buy in bulk at the store.

22 comments :

  1. I like that you've used the term HEALTHIER instead of HEALTHY :)

    I looooooove Popchips. Definitely not a health food, but they're a better choice than a lot of other chips out there... and they taste amazing!

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  2. When I eat my chips, I like them salty! I do really love FSTG chips...especially the jalepeno ones. I'm not a fan of Sunchip's long ingredient list. Some Terra chips are good and others aren't. The Sweets and Beets are quite tasty.

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  3. My favorite chips are Pringles and Sunchips. I used to eat Pringles in sort of a scary amount but luckily my stomach no longer tolerates them haha. I pretty much only eat the Baked Tositodos and Baked Lays. There is probably no health benefit but thats okay with me :) I usually eat something healthy with my chips haha.

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  4. I'm not a huge chip fan at all for some reason. Usually I just like plain tortilla chips with homemade salsa. :)

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  5. I rarely eat chips, but when I do I'm a fan of Food Should Taste Good chips and sometimes Veggie Chips (we sell Veggie Chips in the vending machines, so that's usually when I snitch ;)

    Have a great weekend, Gina! :)

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  6. I don't like chips in general because thet are in general too salty and also I don't like how my fingers turn into when eating chips, all greasy and salty! Hahaha.... But unfortunately sometimes I eat pretzels although I know they have zero nutrition and high in sodium, but some in stressful moments they are a good reliever for me.

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  7. oh i do love those terra chips so that is good....but lately i am addicted to the whole wheat pretzels from trader joes :) enjoy your weekend gina!

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  8. I love so many chips! Especially thicker cut ones like Cape Cod kettle chips. I buy and eat all the chips on the healthier chips list, too. I have tubs of organic palm shortening, so I plan to make my own chips in the near future.

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  9. pretzels are like pringles its like once you pop you seriously will NEVER EVER stop haha. i think my fav snacky is pumpernickle pretzels and i don't even remember where i got them or who makes them i just know we get them all the time over the summer! mmm i want them now

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  10. I like Trader Joe's Organic Salt Free Tortilla Chips. Since I have cut way down on my sodium consumption, most chips are too salty for me. It's funny to me because I used to LOVE salty foods, and now I can't stand most salty snack foods anymore. It's a good thing and proof that your taste buds can completely change... :) But, of course, the chips still contain quite a bit of fat... Everything in moderation... :)

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  11. My all-time favorite chip is probably Ruffles Cheddar and Sour Cream chips. So bad for you!

    I try and stay away from chips most of the time, but my husband has an addiction to tortilla chips and salsa, so those are always in our house:)

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  12. I like to take corn tort. and cook them in the oven.

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  13. Thanks for the terrific information. I'm a big chip fan, but often avoid them thinking they are off limits. I'll follow your advice the next time a craving hits and read the nutrition label.

    Thank you!

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  14. Great info!
    I'm most into the blue corn tortilla chips, and I also found some sprouted grain pretzels that are really good. I stay away from chips for the most part!

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  15. I am a HUGE fan of Nacho Cheese Doritos. I could eat a whole bag.

    I also love POP chips - BBQ, Terra chips (any), Food Should taste good sweet potato...but overall, I prefer sweets to chips.

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  16. I do love the tasty goodness of Food Should Taste Good. A lot.

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  17. MMmm I love chips. It is my downfall. I really enjoy Cape Cod brand, as well as regular Tortilla chips. Just love that saltiness.

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  18. You should check out the new hummus chips and lentil chips ... They came out this year. Yum.

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  19. I agree! Terra Chips are amazing! And like that wild salmon, very spendy :( I should email them for coupons :)

    P.S. Mark and my dad are ALL about pretzels, too. I love the honey oat ones, but otherwise...pass! I'd rather have a string cheese and apple :)

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  20. I love the Genisoy brand Soy Crisps. They are like a rice cake consistency and have a few flavors - ranch, cheddar, lightly salted, and barbeque. I like cheddar the best. Check it out if you see them, I get mine at Walgreens :)

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