Go for an Oven-Baked Version
Find some oven-baked chips at the store if you want to enjoy potato chips on this national day or any other time you have a salty craving. You may see the terms oven-baked, baked, and kettle cooked on the label to indicate a healthier chip solution. These have less fat and calories.
If you can just limit yourself to a small, snack-size bag of chips every once in a while (and not eat a full-size bag daily), then you'll be just fine. All about moderation, after all!
One serving is 1 ounce or 18 chips. But even eating one serving of potato chips a day is a lot. Alexis Parcells, MD, a board-certified plastic surgeon and owner of Parcells Plastic Surgery says that you should really be limiting your potato chip consumption to no more than the palm of your hand.
Best: Popcorn
As long as it's not drenched in butter or super salty, popcorn's a pretty good choice. It's a whole grain and it has fiber, so it'll be more satisfying than chips and tide you over for longer.
One serving of the crackers has 140 calories, 2 grams of protein, 22 grams of carbohydrates, 3 grams of fiber, 5 grams of fat and 240 milligrams of sodium. The chips have 150 calories, 2 grams of protein, 15 grams of carbohydrates, 1 gram of fiber, 10 grams of fat and 180 milligrams of sodium.
So whether you like the extra crunchy, thick texture from kettle chips or the thinner, crispier texture of regular potato chips, you won't be sacrificing any health benefits by choosing one or the other. It's just a matter of personal preference.
Pringles isn't high on the list of what we consider healthy chips, but their reduced-fat version is a welcome alternative. It contains fewer calories, fat, and sodium than the original recipe, but keeps the same amount of carbs and seasoning.
“There really is not a tremendous difference nutritionally between standard potato chips and tortilla chips,” she explains. “Generally speaking, a one ounce serving contains about 130-150 calories, 15 grams of carbohydrates, 1-2 grams of fiber, and 6-10 grams of fat.
Weight loss Eliminating junk food can significantly reduce the total number of calories we consume in a day, which leads to weight loss. Quitting junk food like potato chips and cheesy foods is a simple way of reducing calorie intake.
Studies have found that the repeated cycle of eating healthily in the week and bingeing on junk food every weekend can be very damaging to your gut health – specifically your gut microbiota.
The better thing to do is eat something than to fast for a little while. Even if that something isn't the healthiest option.” On the other hand, eating poorly often results in health damage. “Long term, for repeatedly eating stupidly over months and years, is decreased health,” Brown said.
Cutting back on junk food means you'll be receiving less amounts of fat, sugar and calories, which will naturally lead to weight loss. You'll feel more energetic. Receiving more calories from junk food doesn't mean you're obtaining enough nutritional substance.