The Best and Healthiest Potato Chips

While most chips are not considered beneficial for health, some exceptions are made with a focus on healthier ingredients.

However, the proliferation of terms like "kettle fried," "avocado oil," "low sodium," "organic," "non-GMO," and "plant-based" can make the selection process confusing.

This guide helps you choose healthy potato chips without sacrificing the taste.

Are Potato Chips Made with Avocado Oil Healthier? Yes!

Here’s why avocado oil is better than other cooking oils:

1. High in Monounsaturated Fats:

Avocado oil is rich in monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), particularly oleic acid, which is associated with reducing LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol) and increasing HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol). This could reduce the risk of heart disease.

2. Presence of Polyunsaturated Fats

It also contains a decent amount of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), including linoleic acid and alpha-linolenic acid (omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids), essential fats the body cannot produce. They play critical roles in brain function and cell growth.

3. Bioactive Compounds

Avocado oil contains tocopherols (vitamin E), polyphenols, and phytosterols, which possess antioxidant properties. Antioxidants can neutralize free radicals, reducing oxidative stress and the risk of chronic diseases.

4. High Smoke Point

Avocado oil has a high smoke point (around 250°C or 482°F for refined avocado oil), making it ideal for high-temperature cooking methods such as frying. A high smoke point ensures that the oil does not break down into harmful compounds like trans fats when heated.

Compared to other oils, avocado oil offers numerous advantages: it is extracted without chemical solvents, is not derived from genetically modified organisms (GMOs), does not produce trans fats during processing, and does not cause inflammation.

What Are Some Chips Made With Avocado Oil?

Chips labeled as made with avocado oil are often considered beneficial for your health.

1. Kettle Brand Avocado Oil Chips

Kettle Brand offers a variety of flavors cooked in avocado oil, including Himalayan Salt and Chili Lime. They're known for their commitment to non-GMO ingredients and natural processes.

2. Good Health Avocado Oil Potato Chips

Good Health uses avocado oil for frying their chips, offering flavors like Sea Salt and Barcelona BBQ. They focus on creating healthier snack options with beneficial oils.

3. Boulder Canyon Avocado Oil Chips

Boulder Canyon offers kettle-cooked chips made with avocado oil, available in flavors like Sea Salt and Jalapeño. Their chips are known for being cooked in small batches.

Don’t forget to double-check the nutritional facts on the package to ensure they are indeed made with 100% avocado oil, without the inclusion of any other oils.

How About Organic Potato Chips? What Does “Organic” Mean?

An "organic potato chip" refers to a chip made from potatoes that have been grown and processed according to organic farming standards. Note that the term “organic” describes potatoes, not the oil they’re cooked with.

These standards vary by country but generally include the following key principles:

1. No Synthetic Pesticides or Fertilizers

2. Non-GMO

3. Soil Health and Environmental Preservation

4. Regulated and Certified

5. Natural Processing

Organic potato chips have benefits like reduced exposure to pesticides, non-GMO, and no synthetic fertilizers.

Brands like Humble, Whole Foods, and Kettle produce organic potato chips.

How About Kettle Potato Chips? Not Sure If They’re Good!

Kettle potato chips are made using a unique method where potato slices are cooked in batches within a large kettle, as opposed to the continuous conveyor belt frying used for most commercial chips.

As new batches of cold potato slices are added to the hot oil, the temperature drops and then slowly rises again.

This fluctuation results in a cooking process that is somewhat less consistent than continuous frying but contributes to their distinct crunch and flavor.

Kettle chips may absorb more oil during the frying process due to the slower cooking time and batch method, potentially making them higher in fat than standard chips.

How About Lay’s Potato Chips?

Lay’s potato chips are made with vegetable oil, which sounds healthy but it’s just canola oil, soybean oil, or sunflower oil.

As noted above, vegetable oils often contain chemical solvents that can be detrimental to our health and frequently include genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and omega-6, which cause inflammation.

In addition, flavored chips often contain additives such as disodium inosinate and disodium guanylate, which, although approved for food use, have raised health concerns among some consumers.

Conclusion: What Should I Eat?

Regular consumption of any chips in large amounts is not beneficial for our health due to their high sodium, saturated fat, calorie content, and additives.

I suggest consuming chips with straightforward and minimal ingredient lists. Below is an example:

Also, don’t forget to review the nutritional information carefully to avoid excessive intake of saturated fats and sodium.

I hope you find the right balance between savoring the taste of delicious potato chips and maintaining your health 😊