‘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…
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.