Dietitian’s Top 5 Favorite Protein Chips
“Bet you can’t eat just one!” Lay’s potato chips probably couldn’t have come up with a more accurate description in regard to the addictiveness of eating salty, crunchy chips. It’s highly unlikely that anyone could be satisfied eating just one chip (myself included)!
As a registered dietitian, I’ve unfortunately started seeing more clients with disordered eating and more frequently reported binge-eating episodes post-COVID. Clients admit how they often eat the entire bag of their favorite salty snack in one sitting, despite being aware of the suggested portion size. The challenge with many of our favorite salty snack foods is they lack one super important and satisfying nutrient: protein. Think about it:
- Pretzels? 2 grams of protein
- Potato chips? 2 grams of protein
- Tortilla chips? 2 grams of protein
Luckily, WholeLotta Good is constantly evolving to help you find the latest and healthiest foods, including salty snacks like chips! So crunch on, knowing you’re still going to eat more than just one chip, but the powerful filling powers of protein may help stop you from devouring the entire bag.
Chip, Chip, Hooray! 5 Protein Chips I’m Obsessed With
- Beanitos Hint of Lime: I was first introduced to these bean-based chips 9 years ago, and they’ve become a family-favorite (picky Dad-approved even)!
- Quest Protein Chips Ranch Tortilla Style: The title gives it away, but these tortilla style chips are packed with protein (19 grams per bag to be exact).
- Safe + Fair Hickory BBQ Pea Protein Chips: When it comes to plant-based protein, pea protein products continue to be on the rise! Not only allergy-friendly, these delicious, hickory BBQ-flavored chips are popped and baked, so you can enjoy a satisfying serving of 23 chips with 9 grams of protein.
- Harvest Snaps Lightly Salted Green Pea Crisps: Not technically a chip, but with all the “veggie” straws and chips on the market providing minimal nutrition, this is the real deal when it comes to a veggie-inspired snack. Listing green peas as the first ingredient, these crisps will leave you pleasantly content and not overly thirsty due to their low-sodium content (yay, heart-healthy snacks FTW)!
- Wilde Chicken Chips - Chicken & Waffles: It was only a matter of time for someone to take American’s favorite lean protein (chicken breast) and turn it into a chip! Get your sweet and salty fix satisfied along with 10 grams of protein.
Keep in mind, protein is best absorbed if spread out throughout the course of the day. Adults lose about 3-8% of muscle mass per decade after the age of 30. Therefore, optimal protein intake is important to preserve muscle mass and prevent age-related declines in health and physical functioning. As a rule of thumb, aim for 25-30 grams of protein per meal to ensure you’re meeting your protein goal.
Looking to add more plant-based protein in your diet? Hy-Vee’s team of registered dietitians offer a complimentary, virtual Plant-Based Eating Nutrition Tour every month! Receive shopping tips and product recommendations to help add more nutrition to your cart. Visit our Hy-Vee Dietitian website to sign up today and check out our wide variety of other nutrition services.
*The blog articles, recipes and recommendations found on this site are not intended as medical advice and should not replace consulting with your medical provider. Please consult a medical professional for individual advice.