Calories in a Small Bag of Potato Chips - Nutrition Facts

Calories in Potato Chips

Potato chips make for a tasty snack, but the calories can quickly add up, especially if eating out of a large bag. How many calories are actually in a small potato chip bag? The answer depends on the brand, chip type, and serving size.

Calorie Content by Chip Brand

Popular potato chip brands can vary widely in their calorie content, even among traditional fried varieties. Some approximate calorie counts per small 1 ounce bag include:

• Lay's Classic Chips - 160 calories
• Ruffles Original Chips - 160 calories
• Pringles Original Chips - 150 calories
• Kettle Classic Chips - 140 calories
• Cape Cod Original Chips - 140 calories
• Utz Original Chips - 160 calories

As you can see, a 1 ounce (about 28g) serving of regular potato chips from most brands delivers around 150-160 calories. However, some chips may be slightly lower or higher.

Calorie Difference in Chip Types

The specific potato chip variety also impacts the calorie count per small bag. Some examples:

• Regular salted chips - 150 calories
• Barbecue flavored chips - 160 calories
• Sour cream and onion chips - 170 calories
• Baked potato chips - 120 calories
• Kettle-cooked chips - 140 calories
• Wavy-cut chips - 160 calories
• Reduced fat chips - 130 calories

Potato chips marketed as "baked" rather than fried tend to be slightly lower in calories for a typical small bag. But flavorings like barbecue or sour cream and onion can tip the scales higher in calorie density.

Bag Size and Serving Calorie Count

The actual calories in a bag of chips depends largely on the serving size. Typical small bag sizes include:

• 1 ounce (about 28 grams) - 150 calories
• 1.25 ounces - 190 calories
• 1.5 ounces - 220 calories
• 1.75 ounces - 260 calories

As the bag size increases, so do the total calories. A larger 2-3 ounce conventional bag may contain 300-400 calories. It's important to check the nutrition label for exact serving sizes to know the calorie count.

Tips for Managing Calories

When snacking on chips, keep these tips in mind to limit calorie intake:

• Stick to small 100 calorie single-serve bags
• Pour a serving into a bowl instead of eating from the package
• Choose lower-calorie baked or reduced fat varieties
• Avoid extra calorie-dense flavors like ranch or nacho cheese
• Pair chips with lower calorie dips like salsa or guacamole
• Eat chips alongside fruits and veggies for more nutrition

Potato chips make a great snack in moderation. Just be mindful of portion sizes to keep calories in check.

Healthier Potato Chip Alternatives

Traditional potato chips are tasty but packed with fat and calories. Thankfully, healthier potato chip alternatives exist. Options made from wholesome ingredients provide crunch and flavor with less guilt.

Baked Potato Chips

Baked potato chips are typically made by slicing potatoes thinly, tossing with oil, then baking until crispy. This produces a crunchy chip with around 30% fewer calories than fried.

Bean Chips

Chips made from beans, lentils or chickpeas are high in protein and fiber. Brands like Beanfields, Chickpea Snacks and The Good Bean offer bean chip varieties under 150 calories per serving.

Vegetable Chips

Chips produced from vegetables provide nutrients along with crunch. Options include chips made from beets, sweet potatoes, broccoli, kale, carrots, parsnips, and more.

Popped Chips

Popped chips start with potato or corn starch then are popped similar to popcorn. This creates a crunchy texture with a lighter, airier feel. Brands like Popchips and Vegan Rob's are popular.

Low-Calorie Potato Chips

Some brands like PopCorners, Baked Lay's, and Pringles Light offer potato chips with around 110-120 calories per serving. They use less oil and bake or pop the chips.

High-Protein Chips

Several brands now offer potato and veggie chips boosted with extra protein. Look for varieties with 5-10g of protein per serving to help fill you up.

Check the chip aisle for all kinds of healthier options that satisfy crunch cravings with less fat and fewer calories than regular potato chips.

Healthiest Store-Bought Potato Chip Brands

If you're looking for a potato chip fix, choosing a healthy store-bought brand is your best bet. Which chip varieties are truly the most nutritious? Here are some of the top options for healthy packaged potato chips.

1. Simply 7 Sea Salt Flavored Chips

These thick-cut chips cook by a patent-pending cold press process using non-GMO potatoes and just seven simple ingredients. They are certified gluten-free and kettle cooked in non-GMO expeller pressed oil with sea salt.

2. Jackson's Honest Potato Chips

Real ingredients like potatoes, avocado oil, and sea salt make these chips a wholesome choice. They are cooked in small batches and free of gluten, corn, soy, and GMOs.

3. Luke's Organic White Corn Chips

These crispy classic white corn tortilla chips are certified organic and gluten-free. They are made non-GMO heirloom corn using coconut oil and sea salt.

4. Siete Grain Free Tortilla Chips

Cassava and coconut flours give these grain-free chips their hearty texture. They are fried in avocado oil and infused with lime and sea salt for flavor.

5. Late July Multigrain Tortilla Chips

These stone ground tortilla chips are made from non-GMO whole ground corn, chia, quinoa, flax and more. They are certified organic and baked with no added sugar.

Check the ingredients list and aim for short, recognizable ingredients on any pre-packaged chip brand you buy.

Tasty Homemade Baked Potato Chip Recipes

For the healthiest potato chips, making them at home yourself is ideal. Home baked chips allow you to control the quality of ingredients used. Here are some delicious recipes to try:

Simple Oven Baked Chips

Toss potato slices with a small amount of olive oil, season with sea salt, garlic powder, and pepper, then bake at 400F for 15-20 minutes until crispy.

Sweet Potato Chips

Slice sweet potatoes thinly, drizzle with coconut oil, then bake for about 10 minutes until browned and crispy.

Beet Chips

Peel and slice beets, coat with avocado oil and preferred spices, bake at 425F for 12-15 minutes until tender but crispy.

Zucchini Chips

Trim zucchini ends then slice into thin pieces and place on a baking sheet. Mist with olive oil spray, season with parmesan cheese and herbs, then bake until crisp.

Butternut Squash Chips

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.