Why ‘healthy’ baked chips are no better for you than the regular, fried ones, according to dietitians

Is there such a thing as a healthy chip?

As we become increasingly aware of our high-calorie diets, many Americans are choosing to trade in their favorite snacks for supposedly more nutritious alternatives.

And food manufacturers are responding to demand, offering barter items that would save our waistlines from the influx of ultra-processed foods.

Chips are a perfect example of this: In recent years, the country’s most popular snack brands have launched “healthy” versions of staples — ones that are baked instead of fried.

Fried chips – from brands like Lay’s, Ruffles and even Cheeto’s – are made from dried potato starch and formed into the shape of potato chips, which are then fried in large batches rather than fried in oil.

The snack makers say this process makes the chips healthier, with up to 65 percent less fat than traditional versions.

But now experts have warned that the choice for them is not necessarily a healthier one.

“Fried chips are not necessarily healthier for you than regular chips,” says Missouri dietitian Gaby McPherson.

A comparison of the nutritional information of regular potato chips with baked potato chips, according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), found that there is little difference in a typical 1-ounce bag.

Cheetos Crunchy Cheese Flavored Snacks contain 160 calories, 10 grams of fat, 1.5 grams of saturated fat and slightly more salt at 250 mg. Meanwhile, the Cheetos Baked version contains 140 calories, five grams of fat and one gram of saturated fat, as well as a significant 240 mg of salt.

On the USDA website, regular chips are listed as 149 calories and contain a total of 10 grams of fat, with one gram of saturated fat.

In contrast, baked potato chips are listed as having 131 calories, five grams of total fat and 0.7 grams of saturated fat.

Additionally, baked versions contain twice as much sugar as regular versions — and this applies to both the USDA estimate and a pack of Lay’s chips.

Frying in oil doubles the total fat content of regular fries compared to fried fries, but the saturated fat is about the same.

Saturated fats can increase the level of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), the “bad” cholesterol, in the blood.

An increased level of bad cholesterol in the bloodstream increases the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Lay’s Oven Baked Original Potato Chips contain only 40 fewer calories compared to the fried version and only one gram less saturated fat.

Meanwhile, the Cheetos Baked version has 140 calories — just 20 fewer than the original — marginally less saturated fat and about the same amount of salt.

Sodium in salt can raise your blood pressure and increase your risk of heart disease and stroke.

One package of baked potato chips is equal to one-tenth of the recommended daily allowance of sodium set by the FDA.

Writing in EatingWell, Ms McPherson said: ‘Fried chips generally contain less fat than regular chips, making them only slightly fewer calories, which will have minimal impact on your total calorie intake for the day.

“Plus, both contribute very similar amounts of saturated fat and sodium.”

According to USDA values, baked chips also typically contain more sugars than regular chips.

Lay’s baked chips also contain two grams of sugar, while the regular chips contain less than a gram.

Lower fat foods can have less flavor, so more starches and sugars are thrown into baked chips for better taste and texture.

The extra starches are also usually refined carbohydrates, which are quickly broken down in the body and increase the likelihood of feelings of hunger, which ultimately leads to weight gain.

However, experts say not all fried fries should be tarred with the same brush.

There are some baked versions on the supermarket shelves that appear to be significantly healthier.

For example, Ruffles Oven Baked Potato Chips contain seven grams less fat than the original chips.

They also contain no saturated fat and 15 mg less salt.