Why is chips bad for your health

While fat certainly can make foods tasty, it's long been known that foods that are high in fat are typically not good for you.

Beyond this, frying foods using high heat can affect their nutrient content. Track your daily nutrients by logging your meals on the MyPlate app. Download now to fine-tune your diet today! The cooking process used to make chips can also create byproducts that are negative to your health. There is one molecule, in particular, called acrylamide, that is known to be a neurotoxin and carcinogen.

Acrylamide can accumulate in the body and increase your chances of certain diseases. As a compromise, different methods of cooking chips have been developed. You may find that your supermarket now offers potato chips that are baked or kettle-cooked. But many potato chips are likely to have some amount of acrylamide, as it forms at high temperatures in starchy foods regardless of cooking technique.

Always look for low-salt, low-fat versions, which are less likely to contain the same type of byproducts and may retain more vitamins and minerals. The oil used to fry potato chips contains fat and calories, both of which contribute to weight gain. Controlling your weight means balancing the calories you consume with the ones you burn. An ounce of plain potato chips contains about calories and nearly 10 grams of fat, most of which comes from the grease they are cooked in.

If you must have potato chips, serve yourself a small amount and make the rest of your meal nutrient-dense with whole grains, fruits, vegetables and lean protein, all of which contain nutrients that support overall health and weight. Read labels and look for potato chips made with healthy types of oil, which will be indicated by a low saturated and trans fat content.

Plain potato chips contain less artificial seasonings and colors than flavored potato chips, such as barbecue and sour cream and onion, that could cause health problems. Nutrition Desserts and Snacks Chips. Reviewed by Sylvie Tremblay, MSc. Sylvie Tremblay, MSc. They give you the crunch you want with added nutrition.

If nothing but chips will do, opt for those with few yet recognizable ingredients and no added sugar. Try one from our list included in our post 8 Healthiest Chips to Eat. Also, choose those made with healthier oils, like coconut. Yes, Sun Chips provide slightly more fiber and whole grains than a regular potato chip, but many of the flavors contain added sugar. No healthier than the regular type, Minchen says.

The only difference between the two is the cooking method. Lightly Salted Lays chips, by comparison, contain about 85 g.

Plus, some people may find it more difficult to practice portion control when eating a lightly salted chip. Most likely yes, says Hartung. People then think their snack is a healthier choice than it really is when they see all these claims on the label. No, says Hartung. Baked chips have been touted as healthy. For instance, most varieties offer a mere 4 percent of the recommended daily intake of vitamin C as opposed to the 10 percent offered by regular chips.

She also noted that there are other steps people can take, aside from avoiding their favorite snacks. Where have you tasted some really good ones at?!! Would love to know!!!! Plus, as she points out, avoiding chips isn't the worst thing you can do.

Other foods that contain acrylamide include coffee, french fries and burned toast, so avoiding it at all costs may prove difficult. Newsweek magazine delivered to your door Unlimited access to Newsweek.