When we’re trying to lose weight, we get all manner of peculiar cravings, especially when we have been trying our best not to indulge in too many carbohydrates.
These cravings may have led you to wonder if tortilla chips, and any other chips for that matter, can be incorporated into a weight loss diet.
Look no further, because we’ve got the answer. Simply keep reading below as we assess if tortilla chips are indeed good for weight loss.
Can Tortilla Chips Hinder Weight Loss?
First, let’s take a look at everyone’s favorites, the beloved tortilla chip.
Whether you’re eating them loaded with cheese, guacamole, and sour cream, or just plain, they simply can’t be beat.
If you’ve been wondering if they’re bad for weight loss, the simple answer is no, they should not hinder weight loss in any way.
The only way that eating tortilla chips could potentially be problematic is if you’re trying to follow a low carb or ketogenic diet, where carbohydrates are prohibited. In any other case, earring tortilla chips in moderation should not cause any issues.
What Is The Nutritional Value Of Tortilla Chips?
Let’s get straight to it and take a look at the cold hard facts surrounding the nutritional information of tortilla chips.
The actual nutritional content of these little morsels of deliciousness may vary based on whether you’re buying them from a restaurant, or just from a store.
This is because those that you would find prepared freshly and hand cut might contain slightly more oil.
In general though, the typical 1 oz serving of tortilla chips that you snack on from time to time has approximately 150 calories, which isn’t all that much.
The same 1 oz serving will also contain 8 grams of fat, 3.5 grams of saturated fat, 81.5 mg of sodium, 18 grams of carbs, and finally 2 grams of protein.
The only issue in consuming products like tortilla chips is that they contain barely any nutrients and vitamins, as opposed to eating whole foods like potatoes.
They are also far less filling for the amount of calories that you get, so may leave you hungry and wanting to finish the whole bag by the end of the day.
How Many Calories Are There In Chips And Salsa?
A favorite snack time meal for many of us out there is a hearty portion of tortilla chips or nachos, that have been slathered in plenty of deliciously tangy salsa sauce.
But you may be wondering if this meal is high in calories, and if it’s something that you’re still able to enjoy on a diet.
You will be pleasantly surprised to discover that you can indeed continue to enjoy this meal when you’re trying to lose weight.
This is because salsa itself is not calorie dense at all.
A freshly made salsa is created by using diced up tomatoes, jalapeno, red onion, and plenty of lime juice along with some cilantro that has been chopped.
As a result, it makes for an incredibly low calorie sauce.
If you decide to add some salsa to your 1 oz serving of tortilla chips that we mentioned above, you’ll be pleased to find that this only brings the calorie amount up to 155 calories.
It’s also far more nutritious than simply eating the tortilla chips alone, because you’re getting some vitamins from the tomatoes.
Make Sure You Control Your Portions
As we mentioned above, it can be difficult to resist the temptation of highly processed foods, and find yourself over indulging.
This is why it’s important to always measure out your food before eating, so that you’re getting an accurate calorie estimation.
Processed foods should never be making up the greater portion of your diet, but it is okay to snack on some chips now and again.
Take Care Of Fat Consumption
Tortilla chips are quite high in fats compared to a lot of other potato chips on the market, which is another reason why you should pay attention to how many you consume.
The reason why tortilla chips are so high in fat is because of the trans fats that they contain.
These trans fats come from the hydrogen which is added to the vegetable oil.
Hydrogen is responsible for making sure that processed chips last for as long as possible.
Hydrogen fats are worse for you than normal fats because they contribute towards bad cholesterol, whilst simultaneously decreasing the effects of good cholesterol.
You can look out for chips that contain bad cholesterol, by taking a look at the back of the pack for any ‘hydrogenated vegetable oils’.
Don’t Overdo It With The Salt
Another reason why you should take care of how many tortilla chips you’re eating is because of their salt content.
In order to create that delicious flavor that tortilla chips have, a lot of salt is added into the mix when making them.
If you consume too much sodium, it can contribute towards high blood pressure, which can lead to a plethora of different ailments.
If you want to find less salty alternatives that you can enjoy during snack time, consider eating some air-popped popcorn, or baked beet chips instead. These are both good sources of fiber.
Final Thoughts
When placed within a healthy, balanced diet, tortilla chips should cause no issues with a person’s weight.
If eaten in excess, however, the fat and salt content can contribute towards bad cholesterol and high blood pressure. Take care to eat all processed foods in moderation.
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