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10 of the best healthy crisps
If you're looking to replace regular crisps and add some healthy alternatives to your diet, look no further. We explore 10 of the best healthy crisps available right now.
Our top picks
High in fibre
Emily
Emily Lightly Salted Seaweed Crisps 18g
€1.39
Made with real vegetables
Emily Fruit Crisps Ltd
Emily Veg Crisps Rainbow Roots 30g
€1.75
Low calorie
Hippeas
Hippeas Sweet & Smokin' Chickpea Puff Snacks 22g
€1.39
The term ‘healthy crisps” does come across like a bit of an oxymoron. So, without contradicting ourselves we should clear up that when we say healthy crisps, what we mean is healthy alternatives to crisps.
When you think crisps you would normally think of wafer-thin slices of fried or baked potato.
However, this isn’t always the case. In fact, the market boasts various low calorie, low fat alternative to crisps. But how do you know which best or what to look out for?
Well, fortunately for you we’ve bought together all of the healthy crisps/alternative to crisps into one handy list to help you decide.
What is a healthy alternative to crisps?
The UK is renowned for being a nation of crazy crisp fanatics, collectively consuming a staggering 6 billion packets a year. That’s more than any other European country.1
Crisps are commonly high in calories, saturated fat and salt.
So, it kind of makes sense that you wouldn’t normally think to reach for them, whether a more healthy crisp alternative exists or not.
According to Diabetes UK, if you are looking to replace regular crisps and add healthy crisp alternatives to your diet then there are certain things you should consider next time you go to grab a bag.
These include:2
- Look for wholegrain varieties to increase your fibre intake
- Think about portion sizes (some packets can be designed for sharing)
- Consider flavour choice – this could be an indicator of how much salt you’re having.
- Is there a light or reduced-fat version?
- Could you make your own?
Is it OK to eat a packet of crisps every day?
It's not that it's not OK to eat crisps every day, it's more that the main source of nutrients crisps offer is energy - so there are more healthy alternatives to crisps.
It’s perhaps better advice to look at crisps as more of a treat rather than a snack.
What can I snack on instead of crisps?
If you’re looking to cut out crisps from your diet altogether, there are a number snacks you can have as an alternative to crisps.
You could try swapping crisps for pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds, both of which have a great range of health benefits and can act as an easily accessible healthy alternative to crisps.
You may also want to try swapping chips and dips for carrots, cucumber and celery with hummus or healthy, low-fat dip.
What are the healthiest chips to snack on?
There are various varieties and flavours across the crisp market, so it’s hard to know which is the healthiest.
But here’s a rough idea of what to look out for.
- Regular vs. baked
Baked varieties of crisps often tend to be lower in fat and saturated fat.
Packaging will indicate just how much with their red, amber and green coding on the front.
- Regular vs. popped
Popped crisps are prepared much like popcorn.
Rather than being deep fried like traditional crisps, popped crisps are placed in a pressurised container to ‘pop’.
Gram for gram they are less calories because they’re lighter.
- Rice cakes and crackers
As a rule, rice cakes are a lot lower in saturated fat and calories.
However, it's worth keeping in mind that they do have a higher GI< so blood glucose levels can be affected quite quickly.
It’s also important to lookout for salt content as different flavoured rice cakes can vary in salt content.
Also consider sweet alternatives that may be coated in chocolate or yogurt as they will have a higher fat, sugar and calorie content.
- Vegetable crisps
As a relatively new addition to the snack market, try not to be sucked into the healthier choice label that veggie crisps can often be marketed as.
Veggie crisps can often have a higher fat and salt content.
Many packets will have red and amber for fat or saturated fat, so it’s definitely worth choosing wisely.
10 of the best healthy crisps
We've rounded up 10 tasty options that you can swap out regular crisps for.
1
If you’re looking for a low calorie, gluten free and vegan friendly snack, these seaweed crisps are great when looking for the healthiest crisps.
Harvested from the deep blue seas of South Korea, these tasty crisps are coated with a thin and crispy layer of tapioca to create a snack that can be packed in lunchboxes, or added to rice, salads and soups.
Also available in cheese and salt & vinegar flavours.
PinkPeach - Yummy - 5/5 stars
"Before lockdown I used to get crispy seaweed from the Chinese supermarket in the city, after finding these they are just as good if not better! The crunchy coating is so good. Healthy wee snack!"
Alice Tuck, Delicious, 5/5 stars
"These are very crunchy and tasty. Feel a little bit like quavers but with the seaweed taste. Delicious!"
2
If it’s veg crisps you’re after, then these colourful snacks may be exactly what you’re after.
This lightly seasoned veggie medley, made with real veg, is a great gluten free, high fibre, vegan friendly snack.
SallySee123 - Not greasy like other veg crisps - 5/5 stars
"I am a big Emily fan and it's because of these veg crisps - I always liked crisps made with other types of veg so tried these and now I wont go back to the other brands as they're not at all greasy like the other ones and are so yummy and crunchy! they seem to have a more interesting mix of veg in them too."
ValleyVegan - tasty - 5/5 stars
"Tasty little bag of crisps, far less guilt than normal crisps"
3
If you’re looking for a more exciting alternative to your snacking, Purely Plantain chips might be right up your street.
A savoury relative of the banana family, plantains are good for you too.
These are perfect to share with friends or to eat as an energy boosting snack.
SianS - So simple and so tasty - 5/5 stars
"Not a plantain fan but Purely nailed it. This is a great alternative to potato crisps and they are great with dips too."
Jan96 - Simply mouth-watering - 5/5 stars
"The Sea Salt are my favourites as the Plantain flavour really comes through. Simple and delicious!"
4
With less than 91 calories, 1.3 grams of fibre and 3.5 grams of protein per single-serve bag (22g), Hippeas are a great go-to snack choice for consumers who demand tasty snacks made with high-quality ingredients.
KRPoole - So tasty - 5/5 stars
"I thought these were great! Very crunchy and I like the flavour."
The advice in this article is for information only and should not replace medical care. Please check with your GP or healthcare professional before trying any supplements, treatments or remedies. Food supplements must not be used as a substitute for a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle.
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