Over the weekend at a friend's BBQ, I found orange-colored Terra Sweets & Carrots Chips sitting next to the dip. Move over potato chips — you have some competition.
Chips made out of sweet potatoes and carrots look and sound healthier than your basic potato chips, but can you trust your instincts on this one? To see how these orange root veggie chips compare with potato chips, read more.
First off, I must say that I'm in love with these chips. They have a delightful thick and crunchy texture, so they're equally great for munching alone and for dipping. These chips are so unbelievably sweet that I was sure I'd see a sweetener listed in the ingredients —but there's none. There's also no salt added, so they make a healthy snack for people watching their sodium intake.
As you can see from the chart below, nutritionally speaking, Sweets & Carrots do have some benefits over regular potato chips, but they aren't more nutritious in every category. These orange chips contain less sodium and carbs, and tons more fiber than the Yukon gold potato chips. They're also higher in vitamin A. However, the regular potato chips contain fewer calories, less fat, and less sugar than the Sweets & Carrots. Surprisingly, regular potato chips also higher in iron. So the moral of the story is that just because a food sounds healthier, that doesn't necessarily mean it is. Always read and compare labels just to be sure you're eating the nutrients your body needs.
 1 oz. (13 chips) |
 1 oz. (13 chips) |
|
| Calories | 150 | 130 |
| Total Fat | 9 g | 5 g |
| Saturated Fat | 1 g | .5 g |
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0 mg |
| Sodium | 20 mg | 80 mg |
| Carbs | 15 g | 19 g |
| Fiber | 5 g | 0 g |
| Sugar | 7 g | 0 g |
| Protein | 2 g | 2 g |
| Vitamin A | 15 percent | 0 percent |
| Calcium | 2 percent | 2 percent |
| Vitamin C | 0 percent | 0 percent |
| Iron | 2 percent | 10 percent |
| Ingredients | Sweet potatoes, carrots, expeller pressed canola oil and/or safflower oil and/or sunflower oil. | Yukon gold potatoes, canola oil and/or sunflower oil, and salt. |
I'll definitely buy a bag of these the next time I go shopping, but at $3.99 a bag, these will be reserved for special treats and occasions.
Drykorn
Missoni
Tomster
Great post! I always get excited when I see a new vegetable chip in the store, but whenever I look at the nutrition facts I'm disappointed that it's not really healthier.
1I would disagree that they aren't healthier. The 5 grams of fiber alone are worth it and the higher sugar content is from natural sweetners found in the carrots and sweet potatoes. If you like these as much as a traditional chip, these would be the better pick.
I love terra chips. They make a product that has carrots, purple potatoes, zucchini, and other veggies and they are flavored with sweet onion. It is delicious.
2Also, the oil in the Terra Chips (expeller pressed) is a better option....
3these sound really really good. I'll have to find them next time im out shopping.
4I'm with Fit. "Healthier" depends on what you need. Personally, I'd rather have the iron than the fiber and extra fat (although I'm not a chip fan in the first place).
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