Healthy Snacks: Alternatives to Potato Chips

Healthy Snacks:  Alternatives to Potato Chips

So you’re having a snack attack and all you’re craving are salty, crunchy potato chips.  It’s so easy to pinch open a bag and go to town, but reversing the negative health effects of potato chips isn’t quite as simple.  What if we told you there are some healthy alternatives that will quench your craving without the guilt?  Yup, today we’re crunching up some healthy snacks and sharing a variety of alternatives to potato chips to try next time you get the chip itch.

Sweet Potato Chips:  Sweeter and healthier, sweet potatoes pack in more vitamin A, manganese and antioxidants than regular white potatoes.  When seasoned with certain spices, this chip satisfies the need for sweet and savory, all in one.

Taro Chips:  This root vegetable cousin to the potato has less fat and more fiber and Vitamin E than potatoes, but tastes very similar.  It is common in Asian, Hispanic and Hawaiian cuisines.

Apple Chips:  Sweet, delicious and easy-to-bake makes the perfect combination for this alternative to potato chips.  Making apple chips is as simple as thinly slicing apples, sprinkling them with cinnamon and popping them in the oven for a few hours.  And you know what they say about an apple a day…

Dry Cereal:  If it’s the crunch and repetitive motion of popping a chip in your mouth that you’re craving, select a wholesome whole grain cereal instead.  Most cereals are fortified with vitamins and minerals and are much healthier than your average chip or cracker.  Just be sure to avoid those with excess sugar (which is about half the cereal aisle) and sodium.

Kale Chips:  Kale is one of the trendiest superfoods right now.  But did you know it comes in chip form?  Yup!  You may actually like it better crunchy because it can be thick and chewy otherwise.  Kale has a ton of iron, Vitamin K, antioxidants and anti-inflammatories that support entire body health.  Add ranch, parmesan cheese or other bold seasonings to make this chip a savory delight.

Rice or Corn Chips:  Chips and crackers can be made of other starches as well, including rice and corn.  These alternatives to potato chips add nutritional variety to the diet and are usually lighter than regular chips.

Plantain Chips:  This less sweet sibling to the banana makes a tasty chip.  Its fibrous consistency makes it easy to turn into a chip.  Plantains offer more Vitamin A and C than potatoes, which are two important antioxidants that help the body’s immune system.

Whole Wheat Tortilla:  Ok, it’s not crunchy but it’s great for dipping into hummus, salsa or ranch dips as a much healthier alternative.  In fact, whole grains are an important part of a well-balanced diet so you can check off one of your daily food groups with this snack.

Green Bean, Carrot or Zucchini Fries:  While potato fries are often as unhealthy as potato chips, frying veggies in a healthy vegetable or nut oil is a great alternative.  Simply coat your sliced veggies in egg and then dip it into a mixture of bread crumbs and seasonings.  You can then sauté them or bake them using a drizzle of your favorite healthy oil.

Next time you have a chip itch, we hope you enjoy these healthy alternatives to potato chips!  Happy snacking!

The post Healthy Snacks: Alternatives to Potato Chips appeared first on Leading Lady.

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