“Are potato chips good for you?” The answer is a definite no.
Commenting on chips, which are also widely eaten by Maldivians, Boston nutritionist Laura Hartung said: “Most chips have no nutritional value and are not worthwhile at all. Although they taste good, chips are mainly loaded with fat.”
More people are now eating chips, whether to satisfy their hunger or simply for pleasure. A study by German scientists, in which participants were given chips and rice to eat, found that the brain’s reward and addiction centres were far more active in those who ate potato chips than in those who ate rice. The findings also indicated a reduced commitment to eating healthy food, sleeping and carrying out daily tasks.
The second question is whether chips have any good qualities. As with the first question, the answer is “no”. “They are a crispy, crunchy and genuinely tasty, salty snack. They may taste good, but they offer no benefit to the body,” Laura Hartung said.
Hartung also said that if chips are eaten occasionally alongside a healthy diet, it is particularly important to have vegetables or fruit with them. She said it was also important to exercise and maintain a balanced day. She added that chips were not at all a good food to eat at night.
The next question is whether chips offer any health benefits. The answer is that baked veggie chips or wholegrain crackers are the best alternatives to standard chips. Rhythm Superfoods beet chips and Brad’s veggie chips are also good options, as both contain real vegetables rather than fake vegetable powders. These two crunchy snacks therefore also provide nutrients the body needs.
Important things to check when buying potato chips
Check whether they contain artificial flavourings, colours or sweeteners.
Check whether they contain any substances that impair learning and thinking.
Check whether they are low in sugar or salt, or contain a better alternative ingredient.
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