Potato chips, NFS
Common food
Photo: Wikipedia
Potato chips, NFS (Not Further Specified) are thinly sliced potatoes, deep-fried or baked until crisp and golden, delivering a satisfyingly loud crunch with a salty, savory, and often slightly greasy finish. Nutritionally, they are a calorie-dense, high-fat snack, with a single 100g serving providing over a third of the daily value for fat. Their primary appeal lies in the pure, simple combination of potato, salt, and fat, which creates a powerful and addictive sensory experience.
Calorie split: 5% protein · 39% carbs · 56% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love potato chips for their unparalleled crunch and the perfect balance of salt and fat that triggers deep-seated pleasure centers. They are a cultural staple for casual gatherings, movie nights, and as a versatile side to sandwiches, embodying comfort and simple indulgence.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The high fat, sodium, and refined carbohydrate content can contribute to blood-sugar spikes and increased calorie intake. Those monitoring blood pressure, heart health, or blood sugar should exercise caution. To counteract this, practice strict portion control (e.g., a single serving is about 15 chips), pair with a protein or fiber-rich food like hummus or cheese to slow digestion, and choose lower-sodium or baked varieties when possible.
Key benefits
- Quick source of energy from carbohydrates and fats
- Provides some dietary fiber, especially if made with skins
- Contains small amounts of potassium and vitamin B6 from the potato
- Offers a satisfying, crunchy texture that can aid in sensory snacking
- Highly portable and shelf-stable for convenience
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The potato chip was reportedly invented in 1853 by chef George Crum at Moon's Lake House in Saratoga Springs, New York, as a spiteful response to a customer (often rumored to be Cornelius Vanderbilt) who complained his fried potatoes were too thick.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 1.9 g |
| Energy | 532 kcal |
| Protein | 6.4 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 34.0 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 53.8 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 3.1 g |
| Total Sugars | 0.33 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 21.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 1.3 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 63.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 153 mg |
| Potassium, K | 1196 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 527 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 1.1 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.23 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 2.5 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 21.6 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.21 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.09 mg |
| Niacin | 4.8 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.53 mg |
| Folate, total | 29.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 29.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 29.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 12.1 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 0.00 ug |
| Retinol | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 10.4 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 22.1 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 3.4 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.04 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 2.2 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.80 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 19.0 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.07 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 18.6 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.24 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.01 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 8.3 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 7.9 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.36 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 0.00 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
Estimated from Snacks, potato chips, made from dried potatoes, sour-cream and onion-flavor — USDA does not publish this profile for Potato chips.
| Tryptophan | 0.07 g |
| Threonine | 0.28 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.31 g |
| Leucine | 0.48 g |
| Lysine | 0.44 g |
| Methionine | 0.10 g |
| Cystine | 0.08 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.29 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.25 g |
| Valine | 0.38 g |
| Arginine | 0.31 g |
| Histidine | 0.15 g |
| Alanine | 0.25 g |
| Aspartic acid | 0.93 g |
| Glutamic acid | 1.1 g |
| Glycine | 0.21 g |
| Proline | 0.37 g |
| Serine | 0.29 g |
FAQ
What does 'NFS' mean on a nutrition label?
'NFS' stands for 'Not Further Specified.' It indicates the food item is a generic version of the product, and the nutritional data represents an average or typical preparation, not a specific brand.
Are potato chips gluten-free?
Plain potato chips are typically gluten-free as they are made from potatoes, oil, and salt. However, flavored varieties or those cooked in shared fryers may contain gluten or be at risk for cross-contamination. Always check the label for a certified gluten-free claim.
Why are potato chips so addictive?
The combination of fat, salt, and the satisfying crunch creates a powerful sensory reward. This 'hyper-palatable' profile can override the body's natural fullness signals, making it easy to overconsume.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 5.32 kcal/g · 5% calories from protein · 3.1 g fiber · 0.3 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 0.44 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.