Potato Chips — Nutrients, Health Benefits, and Shopping Tips
Written by Listonic Team
Last update on September 6, 2024
Potato chips nutrients
Nutrition facts
Amount per 100 g
Calories
🔥 536 kcal
Nutrients per: 100 g | Value | % Daily Value* |
---|---|---|
Carbs | 52 g | 18.91% |
Fiber | 4 g | 14.29% |
Sugars | 0 g | - |
Glycemic Index | 82 | - |
Protein | 7 g | 14% |
Sodium | 525 mg | 22.83% |
Total Fat | 34 | 43.59% |
*The % of Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
Potato chips facts & tips
Health benefits
- Provides quick energy due to their carbohydrate content, making them a source of rapid energy.
- Enhances enjoyment and satisfaction as a savory snack, contributing to emotional well-being.
- Convenient and portable, making them an easy snack option.
Health risks
- High fat content particularly in fried potato chips, which can raise cholesterol levels and increase the risk of heart disease when consumed frequently.
- High sodium content in most commercial potato chips, which can contribute to hypertension and increased cardiovascular risks.
- High calorie content which can contribute to weight gain if consumed frequently or in large portions, particularly as a snack.
- Potential for acrylamide formation during the frying process, a chemical that forms in starchy foods when cooked at high temperatures and is considered a potential carcinogen.
- Low nutrient density as potato chips are typically made from refined ingredients, offering limited vitamins or minerals compared to whole, unprocessed foods.
How to choose potato chips
Potato chips should be crisp and light, without any oiliness to the touch, indicating they have been fried at the correct temperature. The chips should be evenly seasoned and not clumped together, which enhances their enjoyment.
Avoid potato chips that are soggy or excessively salty, as these traits can detract from their natural flavor. Bags that are already open or show signs of tampering should also be avoided, as the chips inside may have lost their crispness and flavor.
How to store potato chips
Potato chips should be stored in an airtight container at room temperature. This keeps them crisp and fresh for up to two weeks. Proper storage ensures they remain crunchy and flavorful.
Air exposure can cause potato chips to become stale. Avoid storing in humid environments, which can affect their texture. Ensuring the container is tightly sealed maintains their quality and crunch.
✅ Extra Tip
How long do they last?
Pork chops can last for 1-2 days in the refrigerator. For longer storage, pork chops can be frozen for up to 6-9 months. Proper packaging, such as vacuum-sealing, helps maintain their quality and flavor.
What to do with leftovers?
Leftover potato chips can be used in a variety of crunchy and creative dishes. Crush them and use as a topping for casseroles, soups, or salads to add texture, or mix them into a breading mixture for coating meats or vegetables before frying or baking. Potato chips are also great when used as a topping for mac and cheese, adding a crunchy contrast to the creamy dish.
Use potato chips as a crust for a potato chip pie by pressing them into a pie pan with melted butter, then filling with your favorite savory or sweet filling. If you have a lot of potato chips, consider making a batch of crispy chicken by coating chicken tenders with crushed chips and baking until golden. Potato chips can also be used as a garnish for burgers, sandwiches, or hot dogs, adding a fun and crunchy element. For a quick snack, enjoy potato chips with your favorite dip, or mix them into a trail mix with nuts, pretzels, and chocolate.
👨⚕️️ Medical disclaimer
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Listonic Team
Fact-checked
Our editorial team checked this article to make sure it was accurate at the time of publishing it.
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