Terra Chips: A Healthier Option with Significantly Lower Calories
When it comes to snacking, potato chips tend to top the list of crunchy, satisfying foods. But traditional potato chips are typically fried in unhealthy oils and loaded with fat, sodium, and empty calories.
Terra Chips offer a solution. These gourmet veggie chips are made from root vegetables like taro and batatas that are then lightly cooked—never fried. The result is a flavor-packed crispy chip that's also non-GMO, vegan, kosher, and free of artificial ingredients.
Nutritional Profile of Terra Chips
The use of root vegetables and cooking methods allows Terra Chips to boast a superior nutritional profile compared to regular potato chips. Here’s how they stack up:
- Total Fat: Terra Chips gets 2.5g of fat per 1 ounce (about 18 chips) serving compared to 10-15g in regular potato chips.
- Saturated Fat: Only 0.5 grams per serving.
- Sodium: 130 milligrams versus 170-200mg per serving of regular chips.
- Carbs and protein: Identical to potato chips at 15g carbs and 2g protein per serving.
- Calories: Terra Chips clock in at 120 calories per serving compared to a whopping 160 calories in potato chips.
What Gives Terra Chips Their Crunch?
Rather than frying, Terra Chips are made by slicing root vegetables paper-thin and then dehydrating them in large ovens. Heat from the ovens removes moisture slowly, allowing the natural sugars in the vegetable slices to caramelize.
This caramelization is what gives Terra Chips their satisfying crunch and depth of flavor without having to fry them in unhealthy oils. They achieve tasty crispness through this innovative cooking method.
Available Terra Chip Flavors
Beyond just straight up original chips, Terra offers an array of tantalizing flavors including:
- Unsalted
- Sea Salt & Vinegar
- Sweet Potato
- Beet & Onion
- Parmesan & Garlic
- Zesty Ranch
No matter what flavor profile you prefer, Terra likely has a chip to match. Their seasonings give these tender root vegetable crisps a boost of flavor without having to load them up with flavor enhancers.
Are Terra Chips Healthy?
Thanks to smart ingredient choices and cooking methods, Terra Chips do rate highly in terms of health. When comparing nutrition labels, they edge out regular potato chips in almost every category.
They still cannot be considered a “health food” given their focus on taste. But among the ever-growing field of alternate chip options, Terra presents one of the most balanced healthy chip alternatives.
Other Healthy Chip Brands to Consider
Terra Chips make for a smart substitute to greasy regular potato chips, but they're not the only better-for-you crispy snack option on shelves today. Several other brands also hit the mark for healthy ingredients, robust nutrition, and crave-worthy crunch.
1. Beanitos
As their name hints, Beanitos chips get their base not from potatoes but rather navy beans and pinto beans. These legumes are rich in plant-based protein and fiber—two nutrients lacking in potato chips.
Beanitos are also gluten-free, non-GMO, kosher, and vegan. With only 130 calories and 3.5 grams fat per serving, they make for a protein-packed crispy snack.
2. Food Should Taste Good Multigrain Chips
Another innovative healthy chip option, Food Should Taste Good Multigrain Chips blend flours like quinoa, flax, chia, millet, and amaranth. The result is a superfood-infused crunchy snack.
They contain more fiber and protein than regular chips and less fat too. With a wide range of worldly seasonings like chili lime, olive, and toasted onion, they don't compromise on big, bold flavors either.
3. Luke's Organic Super Seed Chips
Chips don't get much healthier than those made by Luke’s Organic. Their Super Seed lineup combines wholesome ingredients like olive oil, superfood seeds and grains to create the ultimate nutritionally-dense crispy snack.
Flavors like spirulina and turmeric also add an antioxidant punch. Plus with 110 calories, 2 grams fiber and protein, and 7 grams fat, they trounce regular chips.
4. Saffron Road Crunchy Chickpeas
For another creative healthy chip option, check out Saffron Road’s Crunchy Chickpeas. Serious snack satisfaction comes from these hearty legumes that are lightly seasoned and roasted to crispy perfection.
With only 4 grams fat, 5 grams protein and 120 calories per serving, they make for a fiber and protein-full crunchy snack. The Bombay Spice, Sea Salt, and Zesty Italian varieties can fulfill any flavor craving too.
5. Vegan Rob’s Chips
Those following a vegan or gluten-free diet need not miss out on chip bliss. Vegan Rob’s offers classic flavors like salt and vinegar and BBQ packaged with a clean vegan and gluten-free twist.
Made from a blend of yuca root, potatoes, and seeds, they cater to just about any dietary need. Plus with 3 grams fiber and protein each, they beat traditional veggie straws nutritionally by a long shot.
Tips for Enjoying Healthy Chips
While options like Terra Chips and other innovative healthy chip brands taste delicious, you still need to keep portion sizes in check. Here are some tips for keeping your munching balanced:
Stick to Single Servings
When noshing from a bag it's easy to mindlessly overeat. So avoid grabbing from a big bag throughout the day. Instead, portion out snacks like Terra Chips into single-size servings baggies or small bowls.
Pair Them with Nutrient Dense Foods
Enhance the nutrition of your crispy snack by eating it alongside fiber, protein, and antioxidant-rich foods. Dip your chips in hummus or salsa. Enjoy them with a hearty bean salad. Or spread avocado over them for a nutrient boost.
Avoid Mindless Eating
It’s very easy for snacking to become unconscious eating directly from a bag while watching TV or browsing on our phones. Bring more awareness to your snacking by sitting down at the table to eat without other distractions.
The Takeaway on Terra Chips
While no chips are truly health foods, Terra Chips make for a solid better-for-you option thanks to their use of root vegetables, innovative cooking methods, and robust seasoning.
When keeping servings reasonable, Terra Chips allow for crunchy, craving-curbing snacking that comes with less calories, fat, and sodium than regular fried potato chips.
Paired alongside other wholesome fare like veggies and hummus and keeping portion sizes from creeping up too high, Terra Chips can be part of an overall balanced diet.
FAQs
Are Terra chips healthy?
Yes, Terra Chips are considered a healthy chip option. They are baked instead of fried, lower in fat and calories than regular chips, and made from root vegetables like taro and batatas instead of just russet potatoes.
Are Terra chips gluten-free?
Yes, all varieties of Terra Chips are certified gluten-free. They use gluten-free grains in their seasonings too, making them a crunchy snack option for those avoiding gluten.
Do Terra chips have less fat?
Compared to regular fried potato chips, Terra Chips contain about 50% less fat per serving. They bake their chips instead which results in significantly lower fat content.
What vegetables are used in Terra chips?
The primary vegetables used are taro root and batatas. They also have varieties featuring sweet potatoes and beets. Their use of root veggies instead of just russet potatoes gives Terra Chips more nutrients.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.
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