Potato Chips vs Corn Chips Whats Worse

Dr. Eric Berg 12/05/2024

Are late-night cravings hitting hard? You're staring at a bag of chips, torn between potato chips and the tempting allure of corn chips.

We’ve all been there. It's the ultimate snack showdown: potato chips vs corn chips. This isn't just about taste; it's a nutritional tug-of-war. Let’s break down this salty dilemma and see which chip reigns supreme.

For years, I munched through jumbo bags of chips in every flavor imaginable, from tangy barbecue to fiery hot. But moderation is key, and those college snack sessions taught me about healthy choices and portion sizes.

Potato Chips vs Corn Chips: A Nutritional Breakdown

Let's be clear: neither chip is a healthy food. However, understanding their nutritional differences helps you make informed snack choices, especially when following diets like keto or intermittent fasting.

Here's a comparison based on one-ounce servings of potato chips vs corn chips.

Potato Chips:

Calories: 160
Total Fat: 10g
Saturated Fat: ~2g
Sodium: 170mg
Potassium: 350mg
Total Carbohydrates: 15g
Fiber: 1g
Net Carbs: 14g

Corn Chips:

Calories: 140
Total Fat: 7g
Saturated Fat: ~1g
Sodium: 115mg
Potassium: 0mg
Total Carbohydrates: 19g
Fiber: 1g
Net Carbs: 18g

Corn chips might look better with fewer calories and less fat. But consider the carbs. Corn chips have 4 more grams of carbs per serving than potato chips, potentially affecting ketosis.

This makes the nutritional comparison more complex than just looking at total fat.

Unpacking the Fat Content in Potato Chips vs Corn Chips

Potato chips generally contain more fat. However, healthy fats are essential for satiety and other functions. The type of fat matters.

Many potato chips contain inflammatory oils like corn, canola, sunflower, and cottonseed. These oils, present in both potato chips and corn chips, should be consumed in moderation due to high omega-6s relative to omega-3s.

This is a crucial consideration when analyzing fat grams in potato chips vs corn chips. Plain corn chips often contain healthier oils, this combined with less saturated fat, means there is lower fat content overall, and corn chips become a healthier choice.

While regular tortilla chips can contain unhealthy ingredients, as mentioned above, it should be stated they contain far less trans fat than the alternatives, potato chips, and fried tortillas, as there are far fewer unhealthy grams of trans fat compared to regular potato chips and fried tortillas.

Those seeking a truly healthy option, should investigate lightly salted blue corn tortilla chips, baked potato chips, apple chips and other cooked potato or similar healthy options.

The Sodium Showdown: Potato Chips vs Corn Chips

Lower sodium in corn chips might seem appealing for sodium-sensitive individuals. But the broader context of sodium’s effect on blood pressure matters.

Factors beyond sodium content are important. Eating cruciferous vegetables and drinking adequate water affect fluid balance and mineral needs more than simply assuming corn chips will regulate blood pressure.

Daily sodium intake from all sources must be considered when comparing potato chips vs corn chips. While caution is warranted regarding excess sodium, reasonable amounts aren't harmful. Consult your doctor for personalized advice.

GMOs: A Hidden Ingredient in Potato Chips vs Corn Chips

Genetic modification is a key difference. Commercial corn, often genetically modified, is prevalent in our food chain.

Most corn is genetically modified, making it difficult to definitively link specific brands like Doritos to health issues solely based on genetic modification.

Bioengineered crops, while increasing yield, have similar nutritional value to organic and non-bioengineered foods.

Some scientists speculate about potential downstream effects. This should be taken into consideration in your quest to consume a healthy snack while still enjoying chips as part of your daily sodium.

chips vs. fries

Potato Chips vs Corn Chips: Declaring a Winner

This comparison isn't about demonizing either chip. The goal is informed snacking. Optimizing health through intermittent fasting, limiting water-only fasts, keto, and choosing baked chips contribute to long-term well-being.

Consider the potential impact of seed oils (corn chips) versus vegetable oils in your health journey. Those interested in blue corn tortilla chips may want to research alternatives.

For keto followers, alternatives like pork rinds or broccoli with olive oil might be healthier. However, corn chips, when eaten in moderation, have a place in a Proper diet.

Exploring Low-Carb Alternatives to Traditional Chips

Potato chips and corn chips are popular snacks, but both are often high in carbs and unhealthy fats, making them less than ideal for those following a keto lifestyle.

Instead of indulging in these carb-heavy options, why not explore keto-friendly alternatives? Dishes like keto potato salad, made with cauliflower or radishes as a low-carb substitute for potatoes, offer the same satisfying flavors without derailing your macros.

Conclusion

When comparing potato chips vs corn chips, focus on understanding your body. Experiment with food logs to discover what works best for you.

Enjoy both potato chips and corn chips as occasional treats within a balanced diet. Consider total fat when comparing these chips. Ultimately, what chips you decide to eat comes down to personal preference.

FAQs about potato chips vs corn chips

Are corn chips or potato chips healthier?

Neither is inherently healthy. Both are processed snacks. Potato chips tend to have fewer carbs, while corn chips typically have less total fat. This difference may appeal to certain customers depending on their needs.

What is the healthiest type of chip?

Healthier alternatives include kale, parsnip, or beetroot chips. These can be lightly salted, baked, and preferably made without seed or certain vegetable oils.

Apple chips offer natural sweetness and nutrition from whole foods. Experiment to find what you prefer.

When trying to decide between corn vs potato chips as a healthy snack alternative, apple chips provide a tasty sweet alternative that's also very healthy for you.

These can also be combined with another great dip of Greek Yogurt, and there are few things healthier.

Are Doritos corn chips?

Yes, Doritos are flavored corn chips made from ground corn, vegetable oil, and seasonings. Sour cream is also present in certain Doritos chip flavors.

Different Doritos have slightly different compositions. You would prefer corn if seeking healthier options than sour cream in corn chips.

Consider searching for "tortilla chip nutrition facts 1 oz" or "potato chips nutrition information" for a specific chips brand that you like, and do a comparison for the amount of total fat vs carbs as these are high-calorie fat-soaked chips, and eating chips should be in moderation for the same reason.

Some Doritos also include blue corn tortilla chips in certain chip brand packages, making for a healthier alternative.