Chips can definitely fit into your eating plan if you are trying to lose weight. “When it comes to weight loss, all foods can fit as long as you remain in a caloric deficit (eating less calories than your body expends in a day),” explains Cristina Flores, RD, LD, registered dietitian with Top Nutrition Coaching, who specializes in weight management, bariatrics, and wellness.
She notes that, of course, it is important to get most of your calories from nutrient-dense foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein. But it is also important to avoid depriving yourself from foods you love so that your current eating plan can be sustainable long-term.
And the good news is: there are a lot of healthy chips on store shelves to take home and enjoy mid-afternoon or while watching your favorite movie.
When it comes to fitting chips into your weight loss nutrition plan, focusing on portion control can help as well. “Individual size bags are great to keep on hand to help control portions,” adds Flores.
Ready to stock your pantry with some healthy chips for weight loss? Here are 15 great choices, according to dietitians.
Quest Tortilla Style Protein chips have an added bonus: protein. “These chips are packed with protein and low in sugar and carbohydrates. This will keep you fuller longer, which is great for weight loss,” says Amber Pankonin, MS, RD, LMNT, CEC, registered dietitian, chef, and owner of the food blog Stirlist.
Tortilla chips are the perfect pairing for salsa, and these have a good amount of fiber. “Siete chips contain 3 grams of fiber, which you don’t often see in chips,” says Ehsani. “I always encourage people to check out the fiber content on snack foods, as the more fiber a product has, the more likely it will fill you up and leave you feeling more satisfied—and the less likely you are to overeat the bag or other foods later on in the day.”
Lay’s Poppables Salt and Vinegar chips are packed with flavor. “Compared to regular Lay’s Salt and Vinegar chips, you get double the volume per serving, with the same great flavor,” says Flores. While it’s not ideal that these are low in fiber and protein, they are relatively low in calories and saturated fat compared to many other types of chips on the market.
These healthy chips are made with beans, which naturally means they contain some fiber.
“These chips not only taste great, but they are high in fiber,” says Pankonin. “Fiber is good for a healthy digestive tract, but will also keep you more full throughout the day, making weight loss easier to achieve.” Another benefit to these chips is that
Kale chips are a great pick for weight loss.
