are baked chips actually baked

Examination of commercial potato chips to determine if baked versions are truly healthier than fried as advertised.

A baked potato, for example, would be a more nourishing choice than a fried potato given that starch subjected to high heat cooking forms acrylamide, a potent carcinogen.

Acrylamide forms even if a healthy cooking oil suitable for high heat cooking is used, like ghee, coconut oil, or pastured tallow.

Does the same truism that baked is healthier than fried hold up to scrutiny or is it just marketing bling?

Let’s take a look at the labels for a popular brand of baked and fried potato chips.

The ingredients for the fried chips shown in the picture are very simple: potatoes, oil, and salt.

The oils used are very unhealthy as you can’t fry in sunflower, corn, or canola oil without completely denaturing them (some bags list soybean oil as well).

These vegetable oils are rancid from being highly processed at high temperatures. In addition, frying the potatoes ensures exposure to the carcinogen acrylamide.

Now let’s look at the ingredients label for the same brand’s version of baked potato chips.

If the potatoes were dried using a very high heat, which is likely, then acrylamide would be formed just like with the fried chips as the lower temperature baking occurs after the drying process!

In addition, corn starch, corn oil, and soy lecithin are used. Since they are not organic, there is a high likelihood that these ingredients are all from genetically modified (GMO) sources.

Given that GMO corn is linked to liver and kidney damage in rats, these are not the innocuous ingredients food manufacturers would have you believe. (1)

In addition, sugar (from GMO beets) and corn sugar (aka, high fructose corn syrup) is stealthily included.

This means that while you are getting less of the unhealthy vegetable oils in the baked chips, you are getting ingredients that are arguably just as bad in return!

Note: Some bags list dextrose instead of corn sugar, but both are from GMO corn. Six of one and a half dozen of the other.

While are baked potato chips really healthy and oil-less? It does have no oil in the cooking process–potato slices are baked. Compared with fatty deep fry, bake is the more healthy way to cook food.

But McPherson’s analysis shows that fried potato chips may not be much worse for you after all.

Baked chips have exploded in popularity in recent years, with food companies touting them as a healthy alternative to the fatty, fried options stocked on supermarket shelves.

A Missouri-registered dietitian has examined the differences between baked and fried chips — and her findings are likely to shock you.

“It turns out that regular chips provide more potassium (12% vs. 7% of your Daily Value in a typical serving) and vitamin C (24% vs. 0%) than baked chips, two beneficial nutrients,” McPherson wrote.

“Baked chips offer less fat overall than regular chips, making them only slightly lower in calories, which will have a minimal impact on your overall calorie intake for the day,” McPherson said.

The Truth about Baked Chips vs Fried

Studies have shown that roughly half the tested samples of commercial high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) are contaminated with mercury. (2)

Even if not laced with heavy metals, many scientists note that HFCS can dramatically increase the risk of obesity, metabolic syndrome, and liver damage.

So it would seem that the baked chips are no better than the fried chips after all!

Buying the baked chips is robbing Peter to pay Paul by swapping one set of toxins for another.

In fact, the baked chips may actually be the more unhealthy choice as the baked chips are more highly processed than the fried chips.

They also contain more genetically modified ingredients and possibly a bit of neurotoxic mercury residue to boot.

My guide to the ultimate Crispy Oven Baked Chips (or Fries)

FAQ

Is baking chips healthier than frying?

Are potato chips baked or deep fried?

Are baked potato chips processed food?

Are Pringles baked or fried?

Are baked chips better than regular chips?

Enter baked chips, the lesser-fat version of regular chips that sound like a better bite. Baked chips bypass the frying process, and manufacturers chips by using dried potato starch and forming them into a potato chip shape. Then, the potato chips are baked in large batches, then sprayed with oil, so less fat goes into their processing.

What are the healthy alternatives to chips?

Starchy foods like potatoes when cut into thin slices and fried in oil, they retain a lot of oil and calories, hence making the chips energy dense and calorie dense food. Healthy alternative for chips are: 1) Home made sweet potato chips. 2) Pop corn. 3) Crunchy cucumber pieces. 4) Carrot pieces. 5) Healthy fruits like apple. 6) Mixed nuts. 7) Kale chips.

Are baked chips underrated?

What many people either avoid (or simply forget exists) is that many of these big brand of chips also have baked chips in the same flavors that we all know and love. Not to mention, they are the healthier snack option. I feel like baked versions of some classic favorite chips are very underrated.

Are baked chips bad for You?

Buying the baked chips is robbing Peter to pay Paul by swapping one set of toxins for another. In fact, the baked chips may actually be the more unhealthy choice as the baked chips are more highly processed than the fried chips. They also contain more genetically modified ingredients and possibly a bit of neurotoxic mercury residue to boot.