The recent analysis of snacks supermarket salty products published by the OCU revealed that the vast majority are hardly or not at all recommended, and the same conclusions can be drawn from what is lately perceived as a healthier alternative, vegetable chips. Touted by the industry as a supposedly healthier snack than typical potato chips, the organization also discourages its consumption.
Made from pumpkin, carrot, sweet potato, cassava, beetroot or even vegetables such as broccoli and fruit, crispy vegetable chips have found a not inconsiderable place in the assortment of supermarket snacks and appetizers, promoted as the supposedly healthier alternative to the fries. But the Organization of Consumers and Users warns that changing one product for another, thinking that it is healthier or less fattening, is a mistake.
The reason is clear after the analysis of 18 references from various manufacturers and with different compositions in terms of the vegetables used. The comparison updated to this year reveals that they have a caloric content similar to bagged potato chips, with an average percentage of fat of 30% and more sugar than potatoes. Although they can provide more fiber and generally have slightly less salt, the difference in terms of nutritional health is negligible and there is no advantage to changing a snack for another. Also, they are more expensive.
Neither those made from thin slices of seasoned fried vegetables, nor those extruded, are recommended, in the opinion of the OCU, for regular consumption. Let us remember that the products that we believe to be healthy can give the false feeling that we can consume them almost without limit. These appetizers also have the risk of being very palatable and quickly consumed without a satiating effect, making it easy to fall into excess.
As the best option we can always make fruit and vegetable chips homemadewithout unnecessary additives and using the conventional oven, air fryer, microwave or a dehydrator food.
Supermarket vegetable chips, sorted by quality
The comparative table offered by the OCU simply orders the supermarket vegetable chips based on analyzing the labeling, nutritional composition and taste, also taking into account the price, to guide the consumer when buying one of these products. But this time, do not recommend any product because neither is a healthy alternative to the typical ultra-processed snacks.
PRODUCT | REFERENCE PRICE | OVERALL QUALITY | FULL SCORE |
---|---|---|---|
Soria Natural – Organic vegetable mix (best of the analysis) | €2.70/100g | Medium quality | 61 |
Terra original – Sea salt | €3.02/100g | Medium quality | 61 |
Croustisud – Organic beetroot chips | €3.13/100g | Medium quality | 60 |
Eat Real – Veggie straw | €3.13/100g | Medium quality | 59 |
Greenday – Broccoli chips | €9.43/100g | Medium quality | 59 |
Crostisud – Carrot and beetroot chips | €4.30/100g | Medium quality | 57 |
Garden delights (Aldi) – Vegetable chips (advantageous purchase) | €1.41/100g | Medium quality | 57 |
Garijo Baigorri – Crunchy vegetables | €2.20/100g | Medium quality | 56 |
Croustisud – Organic carrot chips | €3.13/100g | Medium quality | 55 |
Kettle – Veg chips sea salt & balsamic vinegar | €2.51/100 | Medium quality | 55 |
Vitasnack – Crunchy pumpkin | €11.21/100g | Medium quality | 54 |
Marinas – Veggie experience fleur de sal d’es trenc | €2.50/100g | Medium quality | 54 |
Sarchio – Sfogliette alla verdure | €3.64/100g | Medium quality | 53 |
Carrefour Selection – Vegetable chips | €1.81/100g | Medium quality | 53 |
Tyrrell’s – Veg crips | €2.32/100g | Medium quality | 53 |
Snack Day (Lidl) – Vegetable snack | €1.25/100g | Medium quality | 53 |
Flaper – Vegechip mix | €1.75/100g | Medium quality | 48 |
Frit Ranch – Premium Vegetable Chips | €2.22/100g | Medium quality | 44 |
WMF Kitchenminis Snack To Go Dehydrator, 250 W with 5 adjustable height trays, LCD display, 30 – 70ºC, BPA free, Tritan, Cromargan Stainless Steel
Photos | Freepik – dashu83 – RODNAE Productions
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