The Best Nacho Cheese Flavored Chip Options
Nacho cheese flavored tortilla and potato chips have been popular snack staples for decades. With their cheesy, spicy taste and crunchy texture, it's easy to overindulge in these tasty snacks.
Are Nacho Cheese Chips Healthy?
Most standard nacho cheese chips are made by seasoning corn or potato chips in cheesy nacho-style spices and artificial colors and flavors. They tend to be high in calories, fat, sodium, and preservatives.
However, today more and more healthy chip brands are offering great-tasting nacho cheese options made from natural whole food ingredients and less processed cooking methods. These provide a way to enjoy this classic flavor while maintaining balanced nutrition.
Choosing the Healthiest Nacho Cheese Chips
When evaluating nacho cheese chip brands, look for ones that:
- Use non-GMO whole corn, beans, lentils, or grains
- Are baked instead of fried
- Feature natural cheese flavors and spices versus artificial additives
- Are lower in sodium, fat, and carbs per serving
- Do not list unhealthy oils, chemical preservatives, MSG, etc
Our Top 6 Picks: Healthiest Nacho Cheese Chip Brands
Based on nutritious ingredients, positive customer reviews, independent lab testing, and lower amounts of processed additives, here are the top nacho cheese chip brands that deliver on healthier snacking:
1. Beanfields Nacho Cheese Bean & Rice Chips
Beanfields has pioneered bean-based chips and snacks. Their nacho cheese chips feature a wholesome blend of navy beans, rice, sunflower oil, and natural seasonings.
Highlights:
- Non-GMO verified, gluten-free, vegan
- No artificial colors, flavors or preservatives
- Higher fiber and protein than average chips
- 150 calories and 7g fat per 29g serving
2. Food Should Taste Good Multigrain Tortilla Chips
This brand uses non-GMO whole ground corn alongside flax seeds, sunflower seeds, quinoa, millet, and amaranth for a fiber and protein boosted multigrain chip.
Highlights:
- Gluten-free, vegan
- No cholesterol, artificial colors, flavors or preservatives
- 130 calories and 7g fat per 28g serving
3. Late July Organic Nacho Cheese Tortilla Chips
Late July Snacks makes their nacho cheese chips with just organic whole ground corn, expeller pressed sunflower oil, and natural sea salt.
Highlights:
- USDA Certified Organic
- Non-GMO Project Verified
- Gluten-free chips with clean, recognizable ingredients
- 140 calories and 7g fat per 28g serving
4. Siete Grain Free Nacho Cheese Tortilla Chips
This brand uses avocado oil and coconut flour to produce crispy grain-free tortilla chips free of common allergens.
Highlights:
- Grain-free, gluten-free, dairy-free, paleo
- No artificial preservatives or sweeteners
- 170 calories and 12g fat per 28g serving
5. Snack Factory Pretzel Crisps Nacho Cheese Flavored
These crispy baked pretzel bites from Snack Factory get seasoned in a bold nacho cheese blend for the perfect salty snack.
Highlights:
- No artificial sweeteners, flavors, or colors
- Low in sugar and high in plant-based protein
- 110 calories and 1.5g fat per a 28g serving
6. Popchips Nacho Cheese Potato Chips
Popchips makes potato chips that are popped instead of fried, resulting in a crunchy lighter snack Chip option. Their nacho cheese flavor infuses aged cheddar and spices into whole potatoes.
Highlights:
- Non-GMO ingredients
- No cholesterol, saturated fat, or artificial preservatives
- Gluten-free
- 120 calories and 3.5g fat per 28g serving
Other Notable Clean Label Brands
In addition to our top picks, other nacho cheese chip brands making strides with less processed ingredients include:
- Dirty Chips
- Harvest Snaps Snack Crisps
- Calbee Bean Chips
- Foods Alive Flax Chips
- Positive Chip Company
- Barnana Organic Plantain Chips
Achieving Balance with Healthier Nacho Cheese Chips
Nacho cheese will likely always have a place in the snacking world. The key is moderating portions and choosing better-for-you versions made with wholesome whole food ingredients whenever you get a cheesy chip craving.
This allows enjoying these nostalgic flavors and textures while supporting nutrition goals. Review ingredient lists closely and reach for the healthiest nacho cheese chip brand options to maintain balance.
FAQs
Are nacho cheese chips ever healthy?
Many standard nacho chips are high in fat, carbs, and sodium. But some brands now make healthier baked versions with less processed non-GMO whole food ingredients and natural seasonings that provide nutrition perks over traditional chips.
What makes a nacho cheese chip "healthy"?
Look for chips cooked in better oils like avocado or expeller pressed oils or that are baked not fried. Prioritize non-GMO whole grains and beans over corn/potatoes. Clean ingredients and higher protein and fiber levels add benefits.
Which brand is the healthiest nacho cheese chip?
Beanfields nacho bean and rice chips are a top pick. They skip artificial additives and use navy beans and rice providing more protein and fiber than average chips per serving. Late July Organic and Food Should Taste Good also make stellar options.
Can you eat nacho cheese chips on a diet?
You can incorporate some healthier nacho chip options even on restricted diets like gluten-free, keto, plant-based, etc. Just pay attention to artificial additive avoidance, whole food sources of carbs/fats used, and recommended serving sizes for balanced eating.
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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