Here’s the breakdown when you compare a serving of veggie chips to a serving of potato chips: Though regular potato chips have slightly more calories and fat than veggie chips, they have less sodium and carbs. And yet, they taste... too good. Instead, they're more like an alternative to potato chips— some vegetable chip varieties are, at best, marginally more nutritious than potato chips while others are nutritionally equivalent to potato chips. As the veggie chip trend has grown over the years, store shelves have gotten a little more crowded. Potatoes, oil and salt are typically the only ingredients found in a bag of potato chips—and most veggie chips aren’t much different. Veggie chips sound too good to be true, don't they? If one serving has 200 mg of sodium and your bag contains four servings, devouring the whole thing while binge-watching Netflix means you already consumed 800 mg of sodium when the recommended daily value is less than 2,300 mg.”. Unfortunately, we can’t be certain about what’s exactly in the ‘proprietary blend.’ I prefer chips that list veggies as first ingredients.”, What Bonnie thinks: “There’s not much fiber or protein in these chips. “It’s also important to pay attention to the sodium, as well as the portion size—especially for those who have high blood pressure or are sensitive to salt. Get it daily. Hundreds of delicious recipes, paired with simple sides, that can be on your table in 45 minutes or less. What Bonnie thinks: “These chips seem to have the right mix of nutrients: fiber and protein with not too much sugar, fat, sodium, or calories. Plus with potatoes as the first ingredient, this is more of a regular potato chip than a veggie chip, although it could be an advantage for those who prefer a familiar flavor.”. They still do contain 9 grams of fat per serving, though, so it’s not exactly like eating the veggie itself.”, What Bonnie thinks: “The protein content is impressive in these chips at 5 grams per serving. Making a purchase through our links may earn Well+Good a commission. Cooking Light’s Food and Nutrition Director, Brierley Horton, MS, RD, says, “Veggie chips aren't a substitute for fresh veggies (they lose most of their nutrition awesomeness when they're whittled down to vegetable powders). Our editors independently select these products. So, are these snacks really healthier than your average potato chip, or is it all a marketing ploy? Well+Good decodes and demystifies what it means to live a well life, inside and out. An Expert Derm Shares Tips for Managing Both, Natural Eating Isn’t Just for Humans—Here’s What You Should Feed Your Dog, According to a Vet Nutritionist, A Bottle of This Hair-Growth Solution Sells Every 36 Seconds—Here’s Why. Our 31-day calendar of meals and tips shows you how to cook more and love it with fun, family-friendly meals that come together quickly and deliciously. Not to mention some impressive health … this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines. Cooking Light is part of the Allrecipes Food Group. Since many dips contain more sodium than you might expect, that’s particularly helpful—these chips provide a perfect pairing. Because sifting through the many veggie chip options can be tough, here are some of the most popular brands ranked by health so you can decide which belong in your snack drawer and which should stay on the shelf. Who ever said that chicken wings, doughnuts, and pizza couldn't be healthy? The sodium and sugar levels are reasonable, but if you’re looking for a veggie chip, you may want to choose one where veggies appear first on the label.”, What Bonnie thinks: “Although the ingredient list is longer than others, there’s a medley of dehydrated veggies mentioned. You get the mouth-watering crunch factor of the beloved junk food minus the junk. © 2020 Well+Good LLC. Because veggie chips tend to be associated with, well, vegetables, people tend to get snack happy and eat them by the handful. Make your favorite junk foods healthy with these nutritious alternatives. All Rights Reserved. This product has zero grams of sugar, but for those counting carbs, you’ll still need to pay attention to portion sizes.”, What Bonnie thinks: “Rice seems to take precedence over veggies in these chips. It’s great when an ingredient list highlights veggies first, and most chips don’t has this little sodium. Offers may be subject to change without notice. You’re heading down the snack aisle (hey, it was the shortest way) passing all those tempting bags of chips, when there they are: Veggie chips. But the ingredients list all kinds of non-potato veggies, and the packaging tells you about all the healthy stuff hidden inside. And are they even made with real vegetables? © Copyright 2020 Meredith Corporation. You’re not eating the package, so always flip that bag over and check the nutrition facts panel to see what you’re really getting,” says Bonnie Taub-Dix, RDN, creator of BetterThanDieting.com and author of Read It Before You Eat It. Is It Maskne, or Rosacea? The fiber content is also impressive, weighing in at 8 grams per serving. First of all, try not to be smitten by the packaging. Veggie chips sound too good to be true, don’t they? Read our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions. And if you’re really hankering for chips, Horton suggests eating a moderate portion—about a 1-ounce serving—to satisfy your craving. “It’s helpful to keep certain things in mind when choosing your chips. You get the mouth-watering crunch factor of the beloved junk food minus the junk. You can also take care of your late-night cravings for fast food with these better-for-you knockoffs. Cooking Light may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. If you want to swap out processed snacks without giving up the salt and crunch, opt for fresh veggies with hummus, homemade vegetable chips, or a handful of lightly salted nuts. Unless you’re making them yourself, it can be tricky to find an option that isn’t just a greasy potato chip in disguise. Sign up for our new weekly newsletter, ThePrep, for inspiration and support for all your meal plan struggles. There doesn’t seem to be any added sugar, however 15 grams of sugar—which comes naturally from the beets—may be higher than other similar products.”, What Bonnie thinks: “This ingredients list includes only carrots and sea salt included, but weighing in at 420 mg sodium per serving is pretty hefty considering that we’re supposed to be shooting for around 2,300 mg of sodium for the entire day.”, What Bonnie thinks: “I like that the sodium is low and that whole grains appear first on the ingredient list in these chips, but the actual veggies are pretty far down on the list. The bottom line: Veggie chips are really no "healthier" than potato chips, so it’s not worth picking one over the other. Unlike the DIY veggie chips you can make in your kitchen, most packaged versions only are only made with 60-70 percent produce. Dinner Tonight: Quick and Healthy Menus in 45 Minutes (or Less). Just because it seems wholesome and natural doesn’t mean it is. Because veggie chips tend to be associated with, well, vegetables, people tend to get snack happy and eat them by the handful. This can be a trap for those looking to make healthier snacking choices—veggie chips tend to have a faux health halo because the average consumer may think they’re eating spinach, beets, or zucchini, when in reality they’re having a combination of starchy vegetables, salt, oil, yes—potatoes, and potato starch. The additional of apple could provide a sweet taste to accompany the other savory flavors.”, What Bonnie thinks: “These sound awesome. Brad’s Plant Based Organic Kale Veggie Chips, Rhythm Superfoods Kale Chips, Zesty Nacho, Bare Snacks Sea Salt Baked Crunchy Carrot Chips, The Better Chip Whole Grain Chips, Spinach & Kale, Forager Organic Vegetable Chips, Wasabi Greens, take care of your late-night cravings for fast food with these better-for-you knockoffs. All rights reserved. They also have a pretty well-rounded profile with veggies appearing high up on the ingredient list.”, What Bonnie thinks: “The ingredient list is contains only ingredients you can recognize. While some store-bought veggie chips are as healthy as the kind you can make in your own kitchen, others—thanks to great branding!—only make you think you’re getting something that’s good for you. CA Do Not Sell My Personal Information     Sitemap redirect. Not to mention some impressive health benefits. Maybe they’re little stick puffs, or maybe they’re actual chips in a variety of cool root-vegetable colors. Cooking Light’s Food and Nutrition Director, Brierley Horton, MS, RD, says, “Veggie chips aren't a substitute for fresh veggies (they lose most of their nutrition awesomeness when they're whittled down to vegetable powders). Through our links may earn Well+Good a commission site that may or not., inside and out and demystifies what it means to live a well,... 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