Potato is a healthy vegetable, high in potassium, vitamins B6 and C, fiber, and magnesium — that is until it is fried in oil. Don't get me wrong; potato chips are delicious and definitely a convenient snack for movie nights, parties, you name it. But, the toll they take on your body is really not worth the pleasure.
Potato chips are extremely high in fat and calories, increasing your risk of weight gain, obesity, and chronic inflammation. A highly processed food, the potatoes are stripped of their nutritional benefits so by the time you reach into that bag for a handful of chips, you're getting nothing really but the guilty pleasure of enjoying them.
Yikes, sorry to be the bearer of bad news. But look — there's light at the end of the tunnel, too! You can still satisfy your craving for a crunchy vegan snack? How? Whip up these three healthier alternatives to potato chips.
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3 Healthy Vegan Alternatives to Potato Chips
1. Crispy Chickpeas
Recipe and Image from Ve Eat Cook Bake
I know what you’re thinking: chickpeas? Am I really comparing potato chips with chickpeas? Yes, just trust me on this. This delicious recipe for baked, crispy chickpeas will satisfy your crunchy craving. The best part? You can add all kinds of spices and sauces to make your own flavor combinations with this plant-based snack: barbecue, vegan ranch, anything goes.
2. Flaxseed Crackers
Recipe and Image from Nourish Everyday
Flaxseeds are an excellent plant-based source of omega-3s plus they're a healthy egg replacer in baking and cooking, acting as a binder. Next time the need to crunch hits, try these delicious, oil-free, flaxseed crackers as your healthy vegan snack. Enjoy with hummus, toss them in a salad for extra crunch, or simply enjoy them on their own. The possibilities are endless.
3. Homemade Oil-free Tortilla Chips
Recipe and Image from Veggies Don’t Bite
There are very few people in the world who do not like tortilla chips. Unfortunately, most store-bought varieties are high in additives, fat, and added sugar, not to mention the hidden dairy products. All of which is a bit of a bummer if you're trying to eat a healthy plant-based diet.
Luckily, it turns out that making your own tortilla chips is super easy; cut, season, bake! This foolproof recipe for oil-free tortilla chips calls for lime juice and a little bit of salt and voilà! Your homemade tortilla chips are ready to devour. Pair them with healthy guacamole and salsa and you have a highly nutritious, antioxidant-full snack.
Bonus: Fat Free Potato Chips!
Image and Recipe from Brand New Vegan
While the healthy alternatives above will indeed satisfy the craving for crunch, if you are set on potato chips, sometimes nothing can replace them. The solution? This genius recipe for homemade, oil-free potato chips. Seriously, this vegan snack will blow your mind, and you will finally be able to say goodbye to store-bought, more oil-than-potato chips. Enjoy!
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Rafaela Michailidou is a Vegan Lifestyle Coach, and a freelance health and wellness content writer, with a Plant-Based Nutrition Certificate from the T. Colin Campbell Center for Nutrition Studies.