Chips, in general, have a bad reputation as they are highly processed and rich in sodium. But when we choose banana chips over the other varieties, we suddenly start feeling that we have made a healthy choice. If you can relate, here is some reality check for you.
In this article, we will discuss how healthy are banana chips and if choosing them over other varieties is a healthy choice?
Banana chips
Banana chips are dried, fried slices of bananas that have become a popular snack over the past few decades.
The chips are usually coated with sugar syrup, salt and spices to enhance the taste. Though bananas are very healthy, can the same be said for banana chips?
Nutrition in banana chips
Unlike bananas, banana chips are highly processed. Fried in oil and cooked with honey or other syrup, banana chips are loaded with calories.
1 cup around 72 grams of banana chips have
Calories: 374
Protein: 1.6 grams
Carbs: 42 grams
Fiber: 5.5 grams
Sugar: 25 grams
Total fat: 24 grams
Saturated fat: 21 grams
Potassium: 8% of the Daily Value (DV)
Vitamin B6: 11% of the DV
Though the snack has fibre, vitamins and minerals, the benefits are offset by the calorie, sugar and fat content. The chips are dehydrated and fried, which makes them highly palatable and easy to be overconsumed.
Banana chips benefits
Banana chips make for a convenient snack. Loaded with calories and simple carbs, they make for a good on the go snack when you are hiking or refuelling after a rigorous workout. These chips have a long shelf life as they are dehydrated.
Banana chips downside
High in fat
The chips are fried in oil to give them the crunchy texture. One cup of banana has 24 grams of fat, most of which is saturated. Foods rich in saturated fats are linked with a higher risk of chronic illness like heart disease.
Laden with calories
You will be surprised to know that the same serving of banana chips contain over 250 per cent more calories than the same size of fresh banana.
High in sugar
Some varieties of banana chips are coated in honey and syrup that makes them high in calories. One cup banana chips contain 25 grams of sugar, which has 10.5 grams of added sugar and 14.5 grams of natural sugar.
Are banana chips better than potato chips?
First things first, a whole banana is way healthier than banana chips. But are everybody's favourite potato chips any better than banana chips.
One cup banana chips have much higher calories, total fat, saturated fat and sugar than potato chips. Yes, you read that right.
But you need to be careful and limit your intake no matter which chips you buy.
For a healthier option, choose baked over fried banana chips that are flavoured only with herbs and spices.
Verdict
While banana chips may sound like a healthy choice, they are loaded with calories, added sugar and saturated fat.
For a healthier choice, go for dehydrated, non-fried banana chips that have no added sugar. Best would be to choose a whole banana.
If you decide to choose banana chips as your snack, be mindful of the portion size.
