We know we need to eat more veggies, so veggie fries seem like the perfect choice for a snack. These alternatives to french fries have become increasingly popular in recent years. But are veggie chips really a healthier snack? They have veggie in the name, so they must be better for you than fries, right? A healthy snack sounds too good to be true, because it is. According to experts, you might as well go back to snacking on Lays.
To learn more about the health effects of veggie chips, we spoke to Krutika Nanavati, a registered dietitian, nutritionist, and medical consultant at Clinicspots for Diet and Nutrition. She says veggie fries are terrible for weight loss because the flavor usually comes from adding cheese or oilWhich adds to the calorie count and the high sodium content may cause water retention and bloating. Read on to learn more about these surprisingly unhealthy potato chips and some healthy alternatives!
Veggie chips cause weight gain because they’re made with inflammatory ingredients
Veggie chips are marketed as a healthier alternative to traditional fattening potato chips. They’re usually made with a number of vegetables, Nanavati says, “such as sweet potatoes, beets, carrots, parsnips, squash, and zucchini.” These combined vegetables are then thinly sliced and deep-fried or baked until crisp and crunchy. So, veggie fries are usually topped with cheese and spices like onion powder or garlic powder to add flavor.
While veggie fries may seem like the healthier choice, that’s not always the case. “The flavor in veggie chip usually comes from the addition of cheese or oil, which adds to the calorie count. The high sodium content in some brands can hinder weight loss efforts by causing water retention and bloating,” Nanavati explains. .
And many brands of potato chips are deep-fried, which means they contain trans fats that can raise LDL cholesterol. LDL, or low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, is generally considered the “bad” cholesterol and makes up the majority of your body’s cholesterol. High levels of LDL cholesterol can cause heart disease and stroke.
“Veggie chips, in particular, don’t really offer any notable nutritional benefits. The truth is, both are really just root vegetables that have been salted, fried, and thinly sliced for snacking pleasure. usually filled with fillers and additives that are heavily processed and are not helpful for weight loss,” concludes Nanavati.
Instead of veggie fries, it has some recommendations. Nanavati first suggests roasted chickpeas for a savory and crunchy snack that can help you lose weight. “Chickpeas are high in fiber and protein, making them a great snack to keep you feeling fuller longer. Roasted chickpeas can give them a crunchy texture similar to veggie chips without the added fat and calories,” she advises. she. Doesn’t that sound delicious?
“Popcorn,” she adds, “is often considered a healthy snack. It’s a whole grain, making it high in fiber and other essential nutrients. Popcorn also contains some protein and is low in calories.” Just be careful not to add too much salt or other fattening seasonings.
Nanavati also recommends, “Hummus with carrots or celery sticks is a great healthy snack option. The combination of nutritious greens and protein-rich hummus makes it an ideal snack for anyone trying to lose weight.” And, he says, peanut butter and apple slices make a healthy weight-loss snack, too. “Cut up an apple and dip the slices into a bowl of natural peanut butter for a nutritious snack.” Yum!
The bottom line
So while veggie chips may seem like a healthy snack, they can actually be similar to potato chips that are inflammatory and bad for weight loss plans. They are typically made with inflammatory ingredients and are excessively high in sodium which can lead to water retention and weight gain. Instead, when it comes to choosing healthy snacks for weight loss, choose foods that are high in fiber and protein, but low in sugar and calories. She recommends opting for roasted chickpeas, whole-grain popcorn, hummus, or plain peanut butter-and-apple slices as nutritious weight-loss snacks.
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