‘Healthy’ chips may sound like a contradiction in terms, but some can be good for you. Here, NHS dietitian Noor Al Refae selects five of the best…
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STRONG ROOTS MIXED ROOT VEGETABLE FRIES
Strong Roots Mixed Root Vegetable Fries
500g, £3, supermarkets.
Per 100g: Calories, 127; saturated fat, 0.6g; fibre, 4.9g; sugar, 7.3g; salt, 0.36g
The recommended 80g portion of this mix of beetroot, parsnip and carrot chips provides a sixth of your daily fibre needs and 102 calories — half what you’d get from baked French fries — and is one of your five-a-day. There’s a teaspoon of natural sugar per portion. Beetroot is a good source of nitrates, compounds that may reduce blood pressure; and parsnips contain high levels of potassium, linked to improved blood flow. Carrots are a source of beta carotene, an antioxidant that protects cells.
McCAIN SKIN-ON RUSTIC OVEN CHIPS
McCain Skin-On Rustic Oven Chips
1kg, £1.85, most supermarkets.
Per 100g: Calories, 130; saturated fat, 0.2g; fibre, 2.9g; sugar, 0.5g; salt, 0.1g
These chunky potato chips have at least 100 fewer calories per portion than fried chips — and the lowest salt, saturated fat and sugar content of the chips I came across. Potatoes are a good source of vitamin C, important for tissue repair; and potassium. Sunflower oil also supplies vitamin E, important for skin health. The potato skin is a good source of nutrients and fibre; you’ll get 10 per cent of your daily needs in a portion.
Waitrose Love Life Sweet Potato Chips
WAITROSE LOVE LIFE SWEET POTATO CHIPS
500g, £2.45.
Per 100g: Calories, 158; saturated fat, 1.2g; fibre, 2.5g; sugar, 8.9g; salt, 0.63g
Sweet potatoes have a lower GI than potatoes, so the sugar is broken down more slowly, making them a better choice for people with diabetes. They’re a good source of beta carotene, which is converted to vitamin A by the body and is important for the immune system and vision. Counts as one of your five-a-day.
MASH DIRECT CARROT AND PARSNIP FRIES
Mash Direct Carrot and Parsnip fries
300g, £1.99, ocado.com
Per 100g: Calories, 154; saturated fat, 0.7g; fibre, 5.5g; sugar, 7.2g; salt, 0.9g
A mix of carrots and parsnips coated in rapeseed oil — a portion is one of your five-a-day. As well as fibre, carrots provide beta carotene, while parsnips provide vitamin C and folate, vital for red blood cell formation. Rapeseed oil is a source of omega fatty acids, important for brain function. Parsnips and carrots have a high sugar content, but this is outweighed by their nutritional benefits.
Morrisons Eat Smart Counted Oven Chips
MORRISONS EAT SMART COUNTED OVEN CHIPS
900g, £1.
Per 100g: Calories, 159; saturated fat, 0.3g; fibre, 4.1g; sugar, 0.6g; salt, 0.06g
Made with potato and sunflower oil, these chunky chips are less calorific than other oven potato chips. They are a good source of vitamin C, potassium and vitamin B6, which plays an important role in metabolism.
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