Healthy Food Choices: Potato Chips

The potato chip is a staple of American convenience eating, and after many years with a bad reputation there are some healthier options for potato chip fans becoming available. Try these tips for buying potato chips in this healthy shopping video.

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Chips can be healthy
Look for 0g trans fat & low sodium
Avoid "fat free" chips with Olestra

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Michelle Cooper has been a registered dietician for more than 10 years. She currently works for the state of North Carolina for the New Hanover County School District in the Child Nutrition Department as the supervising registered dietician on staff. She specializes in child nutrition, child fitness and overall child health. She enjoys her job because it allows her to be a pivotal piece of child development.

MICHELLE COOPER: Next, we are going to talk about potato chips. When it comes to potato chips, they are not all created equal. And yes, you can have potato chips and have a healthy diet at the same time. What you want to look for are potato chips such as these that have a label that reads no transfat or 30% less fat. Traditionally, potato chips are fried potatoes. They actually have sodium added to them and other preservatives. When you get the modified kind that is lower in sodium and lower in fat, this can be part of a healthy diet as long as you do not go overboard. You need to pay attention to the label and read what its serving size is and make sure that you are not exceeding that. Some of the good versions are things like Baked Lay's or Baked Ruffles. I would not recommend getting the fat free that are made with olestra. There are some pretty nasty side effects associated with those. But the reduced fat or the baked versions are just fine. So remember, number one, do not exceed the serving size, because you are going to be getting more calories than you need. Number two, do not opt for the traditional potato chips. Get the ones that have the label that have smart choices, no transfat, lower fat. Or number three, find something that is baked or with a lower-fat version of the traditional product, and then you can incorporate chips as part of a healthy diet.

Healthy Food Choices: Potato Chips Video

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