These days, corn tortilla chips are a go-to snack for many people. But are they really healthy? Can they be bad for you?
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at corn tortilla chips and examine the relationship between this snack and weight loss. We will also look at corn chips versus potato chips in terms of being a healthier choice. By the end, you should have a better understanding of corn chips and their place in a balanced diet.
What are corn chips and where do they come from?
Corn tortilla chips have long been a staple of Mexican cuisine, but their popularity has spread far beyond their country of origin. Made from cornmeal and shaped into thin, round disks, these chips are becoming a popular snack around the world due to their crunchy texture and delicious flavor.
Popular brands of corn chips include Assignment, Doritosand Sainte-Marie.
Depending on the brand, tortilla chips are typically made from some of the following ingredients: corn (white, yellow, or blue), cornmeal, vegetable oil, salt, and various spices and flavorings. This mixture is shaped into a dough, which is then cut into small pieces and fried or baked.
Below are some of the most popular tortilla chips on the market today and their ingredients:
| BRAND TORTILLA CHIPS | INGREDIENTS |
| Mission Thin Crispy Tortilla Chips | Corn flour, water, vegetable oil, sea salt |
| Mission Organic Yellow Corn Tortilla Chips | Organic Yellow Corn Dough Flour, Water, Organic Sunflower Oil, Sea Salt |
| Doritos Nacho Cheese Flavor Tortilla Chips | Corn, vegetable oil (corn, canola and/or sunflower oil), maltodextrin (from corn), salt, cheddar cheese (milk, cheese cultures, salt, enzymes), whey, monosodium glutamate, buttermilk, romano cheese ( part skim cow’s milk, cheese cultures, salt, enzymes), whey protein concentrate, onion powder, corn flour, natural and artificial flavour, dextrose, tomato powder, lactose, spices, artificial color (yellow 6 , yellow 5 and red 40), lactic acid, citric acid, sugar, garlic powder, skim milk, red and green pepper powder, disodium inosinate and disodium guanylate. Contains milk ingredients |
| Tesco Lightly Salted Tortilla Chips (UK) | corn, sunflower oil, salt |
| Santa Maria Crispy Corn Chips | Corn Flour (79%), Sunflower Oil, Salt
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As you can see, the ingredients for corn tortilla chips can be very simple or very complex, as is the case with flavored tortilla chips.
What nutrients are in corn tortilla chips?
Corn tortilla chips are pretty simple to break down when it comes to their nutritional profile.
Corn tortilla chips are primarily made up of carbohydrates and contain about 73 grams of carbohydrates per 100g of chips.
They also contain around 5.7 grams of fiber, 8.7 grams of protein and 15 grams of fat per 100g of crisps. This makes it a good source of energy for strenuous tasks.
When it comes to calories, a serving of about 10-15 corn chips usually contains about 140 kcal. This means that corn chips are quite a high calorie snack. Depending on the brand and flavor, 100 grams of corn tortilla chips can easily contain between 450 and 500 kcal.
Health Benefits of Corn Tortilla Chips
Corn tortilla chips can be a great snack for those looking for a healthy alternative to fried potato chips. They may even potentially provide some health benefits.
A source of fiber
Corn tortilla chips are a source of dietary fiber, which helps lower cholesterol levels and may reduce the risk of heart disease.
Contains essential vitamins and minerals
Although only present in limited amounts, corn chips are also a source of B vitamins, such as folate, niacin and thiamin, which are essential for energy production and metabolism.
They also contain small amounts of iron, calcium and magnesium, which help your body function properly.
An excellent source of antioxidants
They can also be an excellent source of antioxidants due to the presence of phytonutrients found in corn. These antioxidants help protect cells from oxidative damage that can lead to many health issues like cancer or heart disease.
Low FODMAP
For those suffering from IBS or similar digestive issues, high FODMAP foods such as corn may be strictly off limits. Fortunately, this is mainly the case with fresh corn.
Processed corn foods such as cornmeal, corn tortillas, and corn chips tend to be low in FODMAPs, which means they are safe to eat even for people with IBS.
Risks of eating corn tortilla chips
Corn tortilla chips are a popular snack, but they have side effects that need to be considered.
For one, they can be high in sodium and may contribute to an increased risk of hypertension. Additionally, corn chips are processed foods and do not provide the same health benefits as whole grains.
For people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, corn chips should be avoided as they may contain traces of gluten.
Additionally, they may contain preservatives and other additives that may cause allergic reactions in some people. Regardless of allergies, excessive consumption of tortilla chips can cause stomach upset.
Since corn chips raise blood sugar, they also trigger an insulin response in the body, which contributes to a inflammatory reaction in the body.
Finally, the safety of genetically modified corn has been debated for some time, and it is unclear how risky eating corn is. genetically modified crops it’s true.
Are corn chips healthier than potato chips?
Corn chips and potato chips are two of the most popular snacks. Let’s take a look at corn chips vs potato chips when it comes to which one is healthier to eat.
From a calorie perspective, potato chips and tortilla chips are high-calorie snacks, but potato chips tend to be more calorie dense than corn tortilla chips.
Corn chips are also lower in fat and higher in protein and fiber. Corn chips also tend to have a slightly lower glycemic index than potato chips, making them safer for diabetics to eat.
From a general perspective on the nutritional content of corn chips and potato chips, it can easily be said that corn chips are the healthier option.
Are blue tortilla chips healthy?
Another popular twist on corn tortilla chips is blue tortilla chips. They get their name from the blue corn that is used to make them. There also seem to be some advantages to eating this type of corn tortilla chips over others.
Blue corn is known to contain around 30% more protein than yellow corn, and less starch as well. This makes it a more filling snack.
Additionally, the proteins found in this type of corn have been shown to regulate inflammation, oxidative stress, and insulin resistance, which means blue tortilla chips could be a healthy snack with some. anti-diabetic benefits.
Are white corn tortilla chips healthy?
White corn tortilla chips can provide unique flavor and variety to a healthy diet. Although not inherently unhealthy, they are high in carbohydrates and sodium and can be high in calories.
The amount of fat and calories can vary by brand, so it’s important to read nutrition labels before making a purchase.
Although some believe that yellow corn chips are sweeter and therefore more unhealthy than white corn chips, this is not the case.
White corn chips and regular yellow corn tortilla chips are almost the same nutritionally. Eating them in moderation, as part of a balanced diet, is the best way to ensure you get the nutrition you need.
Are tortilla chips good for weight loss?
In general, corn tortilla chips are not a great food option for people looking to lose weight. Tortilla chips are high in calories and low in protein, which means it’s easy to eat a lot of them without feeling full. Likewise, eating too much can lead to weight gain due to the high calorie and fat content.
Blue corn tortilla chips which have fewer calories and more protein might be a better snack if your goal is to lose weight. However, no matter what brand and flavor you choose, it’s important to consume corn chips in moderation.
Are corn chips healthy or unhealthy?
Overall, corn tortilla chips don’t have much to offer in terms of healthy nutrients. Although they are a tasty snack that can boost energy levels thanks to their high calorie and carbohydrate profile, the health benefits of processed corn chips are minimal.
Baked potato chips with fewer synthetic ingredients are generally a healthier option than store-bought corn chips.
Also, chips made with whole grain corn and containing a minimal amount of sodium are generally considered better for you.
Finally, baked or lightly fried corn chips are also a healthier option than fried ones.
If you’re looking for an even healthier alternative, consider opting for whole-wheat tortilla chips, or mix it up and try vegetable chips like kale chips.
