On a January health hype? These are the healthiest crisps to munch on
If you're on the hunt for a healthy snack, crisps probably aren't the first option that comes to mind. They're typically high in fat and salt, and contain little nutritional value points from fibre or protein. However, they remain a popular snack option (Brits consume 6 billion packets of crisps each year) due to their ready availability and relative affordability.
As tasty as the salty little morsels are, research by the British Heart Foundation found that eating a packet of crisps a day is the equivalent of drinking five litres of cooking oil every year. Plus, Diabetes UK warns that, if consumed regularly, the ingredients in most high street crisps are proven to increase not only your risk of obesity but other health problems like coronary disease, hypertension and type 2 diabetes.
‘Crisps are often high in fat and salt, so should be consumed occasionally,’ confirms registered nutritionist Anne Betty (@abfoodnutrition). She advises looking out for the colour-coded nutrition table on the packet — you'll want to be snacking on foods that are mainly amber and green if you're aiming for nutrient density. A single serving of crisps is around 25-30g, and Betty shares that anything above 17.5g of fat, 5.0g of saturated fat, 22.5g of sugars and 5g of salt per 100g is considered in the red 'high' percentile — so aim for numbers below these.
Not sure where to start? We've done the hard work for you and rounded up the best healthy crisps to add to your next online order. From baked bites with 40% less fat to puffs made from chickpeas or twirls made from carrots and beetroot, there’s something for everyone (that doesn't constitute a third of your daily fat allowance).
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What to look for on the ingredients label if you’re on the hunt for ‘healthy’ crisps:
- Natural ingredients. Processed foods offer empty calories
- Low saturated fat. NHS guidelines recommend no more than 20g a day
- Low sugar. NHS guidelines recommend no more than 30g a day
- Low salt. NHS guidelines recommend no more than 6g a day
If you crunch the right nutritional numbers by eating a healthy balanced diet, there’s no reason why healthy crisps can’t be added to a weekly shop. So keep scrolling for the tastiest and best healthy crisps around and exactly where to buy them. You’re welcome.
What are the healthiest types of crisps?
If you're looking for alternatives to potato crisps, usually fried in oil, you can either try potato chips that have been baked or air-fried. As for non-potato versions of your favourite crispy snack, you can choose from these popular types:
Seaweed crisps
Chickpea crisps
Lentil crisps
Quinoa crisps
Vegetable crisps
Fruit crisps
Best healthy crisps to enjoy one crunch at a time
Purely Plantain Chips Naturally Salted
Health hook: Available in two flavours – sea salt and nice & spicy, these 'plantain chips' are kettle cooked, low in sugar, high in fibre and potassium and made with 100% natural ingredients.
BRAVE Roasted Chickpeas BBQ
Health hook: Great as a protein hit after the gym, these BBQ crunchy chickpeas contain 7g of plant protein and 5g of fibre.
Hippeas Chickpea Puffs Sweet & Smokin'
Health hook: Gluten-free and high in fibre, these chickpea puffs from Hippeas are only 92 calories and contain no MSG or artificial preservatives, and they're palm oil free.
Protein Crisps Thai Sweet Chilli
Health hook: Baked, not fried, popped protein crisps have less than 100 calories per bag and are loaded with at least 10g of protein.
Holland & Barrett Watermelon Chips
Health hook: These air-dried watermelon crisps are made with 100% fruit – they're low in saturated fat, high in fibre and preservative-free.
£1.29 at hollandandbarrett.com
Mister Free'd Tortilla Chips with Cheezie Cheese
Health hook: Gluten free, plant-based and high in fibre.
Properchips Barbecue Lentil Chips
Health hook: Lentils are protein-rich and a source of iron and fibre.
Eat Real Sea Salt Hummus Chips
Health hook: 48% lower in fat than standard potato crisps.
£1.89 at hollandandbarrett.com
Insane Grain Cheese Baked Knobbly Sticks
Health hook: Made with sorghum supergrains, great for slow release energy, and packed with micro-nutrients, vitamins and minerals. Each pack has 1.5x more iron than spinach and more potassium than a banana. Winner, winner.
Eat Real Lentil Chips Chilli & Lemon Sharing
Health hook: Eat Real Chilli & Lemon Lentil Chips are free from all the 14 declarable allergens, and 40% lower in fat than standard potato crisps, with no artificial colours, preservatives or additives.
Eat Real Veggie Straws
Health hook: with lower fat than a standard potato crisp, these veggie straws are ideal for those who wish to avoid Gluten and Lactose but still want to share with friends and family.
£2.20 at hollandandbarrett.com
Abakus Foods Seaweed Crisps Salt & Vinegar
Health hook: High in hormone-helping iodine and fibre, vegan and gluten-free. 98 kcal per pack.
£1.09 at hollandandbarrett.com
Well & Truly Crunchy Cheese Sticks
Health hook: All-natural ingredients and with 40% less fat than standard crisps.
Walkers Sunbites Crisp Snacks Sweet Chilli
Health hook: Made from whole grains.
Boundless Sour Cream & Onion Chips
Health hook: These tangy sour cream and onion-flavoured crisps contain gut-friendly ingredients like sprouted sorghum, are high in fibre and 100% vegan.
Rosemary Baked Seed Prebiotic Snack Bites
Health hook: These small yet mighty snack bites contain ingredients to support gut health, as well as omega 3 and magnesium. They're also gluten and palm oil-free.
Nudie Sea Salt Cauliflower Crisps
Health hook: Free from gluten and made using all-natural ingredients and flavours. Plus they're high in fibre, too.
£0.96 at hollandandbarrett.com
Itsu Crispy Seaweed Thins Sea Salt
Health hook: These crispy seaweed snacks contain 150% of the 2.4ug of B12 recommended per day for an adult, which contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue.
Soul Fruit Crunchy Dried Jackfruit Chips
Health hook: Made with 100% fruit, these crisps actually count as one of your five a day (or 30 a week). They also contain no added sugar, sulphites or additives.
£1.79 at hollandandbarrett.com
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