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.
Fried potato chips are crisper and have strong potato scent. Baked potato chips have fewer calories and lower fat content.
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.
Skip the Baked Chips Upsell
Some well-known restaurant chains like Subway try to make a big deal out of the fact that they offer baked chips.
Now you know that this choice is no better and likely even worse than the fried chips alternative.
By the way, tests show that Subway chicken is less than 50% real meat.
This chain isn’t exactly on the up and up about their food including the baked chips upselling strategy.
My guide to the ultimate Crispy Oven Baked Chips (or Fries)
FAQ
Are oven chips better than fried?
Why baked chips are better than fried chips?
Is it better to fry or bake potato chips?
Are Lays potato chips baked or fried?
Are baked chips better?
Baked chips aren’t only better for you, but in most cases, I feel that they also taste better as well! In the next few slides here, we’ll take a look at some classic chips and snacks that we all know and love and see how their baked varieties compare to the originals. Chips are eaten by many on many different occasions.
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 fried chips a good snack?
It’s the perfect snack for all occasions. While fried chips are what most people think of and crave, let’s look at some other baked chips varieties! Chips are a snack that is probably one of the most versatile snacks out there. Whether it be super bowl parties, lunches, or other occasions, chips seem to always be at the gathering (no matter what).
Are regular potato chips healthier than baked potato chips?
A side-by-side comparison of regular chips versus baked potato chips shows regular potato chips provide more calories and fat than baked potato chips. Calorie-wise, your bag of conventional potato chips has roughly 20 more calories than baked chips. Oil-frying doubles the fat content of regular chips compared to baked chips.