For many people, chips are an indulgence they don’t feel guilty about. Whether it’s salty or sweet, crunchy or soft, chips of all varieties satisfy cravings and taste good with just about any drink—except water, of course!
But when you want something that tastes just as good without all the empty calories, these six healthy substitutes will be your best bet!
1. Unsweetened or Salted Popcorn
If you have a popcorn machine, this is an easy and guilt-free alternative. Unsweetened and salted popcorn only has about 5 calories per cup. If you don't have a machine, you can use the microwave or stovetop method.
Make sure to add some salt for flavor and leave out the butter or other sweeteners for added health benefits. . If you want a lower-calorie alternative, try using coconut oil or olive oil instead of butter. The only catch with these alternatives is that they can be messier than chips because of their larger size.
2. Sweet Potato Fries
One of the easiest swaps is swapping out chips for roasted sweet potatoes. Not only are sweet potatoes a delicious and nutritious substitution, but they also happen to be an excellent fitness food.
One serving of these vegetables is loaded with vitamin A, which helps your eyesight and immune system, as well as vitamin C to fight off colds and boost your mood. There's a reason that people love to call them magical!
3. Flavoured Corn Thins/Rice Cakes
Corn thins are a tasty, guilt-free alternative to chips. They're made of 100% whole grain corn flour, so they're a healthy snack that you can feel good about eating.
These are also an excellent option for those looking for low calorie snacks or snacks with a low glycemic index that won't cause blood sugar spikes. It is only 45 calories, which is less than half of the calories in one potato chip!
4. Garlic and Parmesan Kale Chips
These chips are one of the healthier choices on the market. They are a great substitute for potato chips and tortilla chips, because they contain more nutrients and less fat.
Kale is one of the healthiest foods in existence, so these chips will do your body some good. They are low calorie and full of vitamins, so you can’t really go wrong with these crunchy snacks.
It is a member of the cruciferous family of vegetables, which also includes broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage and bok choy. It's an excellent source of vitamin A (in fact it contains more than any other vegetable), as well as containing some B vitamins, vitamin C and iron too.
5. Crunchy Zucchini Chips
If you're looking to satisfy your chip craving, but are tired of the same old potato chips, try zucchini slices. It is a great source of vitamin C, an excellent source of manganese and can help with weight loss because it contains potassium which helps balance blood sugar levels
All you have to do is slice up a zucchini with a mandoline slicer or use a vegetable peeler to create thin strips and bake them until they're crispy. But be careful not to over bake the zucchini, otherwise they'll become too dry and brittle. Once baked, sprinkle salt on top and enjoy! Zucchini chips are also great dipped in hummus or even salsa!
6. Braised Celery
If you love the crunchy, salty taste of chips but are looking for a healthier option, then celery is the perfect choice. Made up of mostly water and fibre, this snack contains no added salt or fat and has zero calories.
One medium stalk (about seven inches) has about six grams of fibre and only one gram of carbohydrates. Celery also contains vitamin C, folate and potassium to support your immune system, cardiovascular health and electrolyte balance respectively.
One downside to eating celery is that it can be hard to eat without dipping it in something like ranch dressing or cream cheese as a dip. However, there are many creative ways to make this healthy snack more enjoyable by adding peanut butter, hummus or guacamole on top!
We hope you enjoyed our list of alternatives to chips and will find them useful in your quest to find healthier snacks. Remember, as with any food, portions are key.
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