The Short Answer
When choosing between conventional tortilla chips and potato chips, neither is a health food. They both hover around 140-150 calories per ounce and are typically deep-fried in inflammatory seed oils. Are Chips Bad
However, tortilla chips hold a slight edge over potato chips due to significantly lower acrylamide levels. Potato chips naturally contain high levels of an amino acid called asparagine, which rapidly converts into acrylamide—a known carcinogen—when fried at high temperatures. Are Baked Chips Healthier
Why This Matters
Most people assume tortilla chips are automatically healthier because they are often paired with fresh salsa or guacamole. But both snacks are heavily processed vehicles for cheap vegetable oil and sodium. Oils In Chips
The real differentiator is how the base ingredients react to extreme heat. The FDA has warned for years about dangerously high acrylamide levels in potato chips and french fries. Tortilla chips still contain this chemical, but usually at a fraction of the concentration found in their potato counterparts.
Instead of debating corn versus potato, you should be focusing entirely on the cooking oil. Almost all conventional chips are fried in canola, sunflower, or corn oil. Finding a chip cooked exclusively in avocado or coconut oil is the single biggest upgrade you can make for your health. Chips No Seed Oils
What's Actually In These Chips
- Refined Seed Oils — Conventional chips are soaked in canola, sunflower, or safflower oil. These industrial oils are highly unstable and heavily linked to systemic inflammation. Oils In Chips
- Acrylamide — This isn't an ingredient, but a carcinogenic byproduct. It forms rapidly when starchy potatoes are cooked at high temperatures to achieve a crispy texture.
- Sodium — A standard 1-ounce serving of potato chips packs about 150mg of sodium. Tortilla chips often contain slightly less sodium on average, though both can easily push you over your daily limit if you eat from the bag.
- Corn Masa — The foundational ingredient of tortilla chips. Conventional corn is a heavily sprayed crop that carries a high risk of glyphosate residue unless it is certified organic.
What to Look For
Green Flags:
- Avocado or coconut oil — These stable fats can handle high-heat frying without breaking down into inflammatory compounds. Chips No Seed Oils
- Organic corn — This is the only way to guarantee your tortilla chips aren't laced with glyphosate weedkiller.
Red Flags:
- "Vegetable oil" blends — If the ingredient list casually says "sunflower, canola, and/or corn oil," put it back on the shelf immediately. Are Chips Bad
- Baked chips — Prolonged baking times can actually increase the levels of cancer-causing acrylamide in potatoes compared to standard frying. Are Baked Chips Healthier
The Best Options
If you want to enjoy chips without the chemical load, here are the cleanest options on the market. Healthiest Chips
| Brand | Product | Verdict | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Siete | Avocado Oil Tortilla Chips | ✅ | Cooked in 100% avocado oil with a clean, grain-free base. Is Siete Chips Clean |
| Jackson's | Sweet Potato Chips | ✅ | Fried low and slow in pure coconut oil to prevent oxidation. Is Jacksons Chips Clean |
| Late July | Organic Sea Salt Tortilla Chips | ⚠️ | Uses organic corn, but relies on cheaper sunflower and safflower oils. Is Late July Chips Clean |
| Lay's | Classic Potato Chips | 🚫 | Deep-fried in inflammatory vegetable oils. |
The Bottom Line
1. Ditch the seed oils. — Focus entirely on chips cooked in avocado, coconut, or olive oil instead of standard vegetable oils. Chips No Seed Oils
2. Limit potato chips for kids. — Children have lower body weights, making carcinogenic acrylamide exposure from potato chips much more significant.
3. Go organic for corn. — If you choose tortilla chips, ensure they are USDA organic to avoid genetically modified, pesticide-sprayed corn.
FAQ
Are tortilla chips lower in carbs than potato chips?
No, tortilla chips actually have slightly more carbs. A standard 1-ounce serving of tortilla chips has about 18 grams of carbohydrates, compared to 15 grams in potato chips.
Do baked chips have less acrylamide?
No, baked potato chips can actually have more acrylamide. The chemical forms based on temperature and time, and baking often requires longer exposure to heat to get the chips perfectly crispy. Are Baked Chips Healthier
Are sweet potato chips healthier than regular potato chips?
Yes, sweet potato chips generally contain more vitamin A and fiber. However, they must still be cooked in a clean, heat-stable fat like coconut oil to actually be considered a healthy choice. Is Jacksons Chips Clean
References (7)
- 1. alibaba.com
- 2. youtube.com
- 3. southernsnacks.us
- 4. blogspot.com
- 5. choicesmagazine.org
- 6. fda.gov
- 7. fda.gov