When you think about chips, the last thing that comes to mind is probably “healthy snacks” or “foods with protein” — but some health food manufacturers are transforming your favorite guilty pleasure into a new source of foods with protein. Punch up your snack game with these high protein, health conscious chips in a range of crave-worthy flavors. These various protein chips have revolutionized snack food, offering a preferable alternative to nutritionally void, processed munchies.
Skip Chips with Fat and Carbs
Your standard serving of chips — take Lay’s potato chips — packs in 160 calories, 10 grams of fat, 15 grams of carbs, and a mere 2 grams of protein. They’re an indulgence that should be reserved for rare occasions. Now take Quest Protein Chips — a snack that boasts 20 grams of protein instead of empty carbs. With flavors like sour cream and onion, cheddar and sour cream, sea salt, salt and vinegar, and BBQ, you can enjoy your favorite snack without all the guilt. With 130 calories per bag and just 4 grams of fat and 3 grams of net carbs, these macronutrient ratios can be a part of any diet. So how do they construct a chip with such remarkable stats? The first ingredient in Quest chips is a protein blend of milk protein isolate and whey protein isolate — the very same blend found in their signature bars. After that, all you’ll find is sunflower oil, dried potatoes, corn starch, psyllium husk, and natural flavors.
Protein in Unlikely Places
And other companies are getting in on the protein chip game. Plocky’s has been satisfying consumers since 1988 with savory snacks made from the finest ingredients with no preservatives. Their PrOTATO Crisps in original flavor with Himalayan pink salt, spicy honey BBQ, and peppercorn ranch are made from simple (and pronounceable) ingredients. You’ll find dehydrated potato, rice protein, modified corn starch, sunflower oil, sugar, soy lecithin, and leavening in these healthful snacks. One serving contains 120 calories, 2 grams of fat, and 7 grams of protein — less protein than Quest chips, but equally sin-free.
SimplyProtein offers crunchy, low carb snacks that’ll keep you fueled and feeling light. SimplyProtein Chips are made with real ingredients and packed with 15 grams of pea protein. The modest ingredient list includes pea protein isolate, dehydrated potato flakes, potato starch, salt, calcium carbonate, organic canola oil, and natural seasonings. In one bag, you’ll find just 140 calories, 4 grams of fat, and 30% of your daily iron intake. These plant based, gluten-free chips are non-GMO and the perfect guilt-free snack.
And clocking in at the lowest calories per serving, Our Little Rebellion’s Protein Crisps are only 90 calories per serving. Flavors like BBQ, buffalo, and wasabi ginger add spice to the potato chip game. You’ll be receiving a mere 2.5 grams of fat and 10 grams of plant-based proteins without the GMOs, preservatives, and gluten that you’ll find in many chips.
Foods with Protein
So what’s the drawback? While these chips offer a much preferable alternative to your standard snack bag, they’re still processed food. No, you can’t nibble on these chips post-workout and expect a nutritional powerhouse. You’re still much better off with a couple of hard boiled eggs, some cottage cheese or Greek yogurt, or a banana with nut butter. But even though you won’t want to add these chips into your everyday diet, they’re still a much better alternative to your typical greasy snack food.
