Snacks, potato chips, fat free, salted
Whole food · Snacks
Photo: Wikipedia
These are ultra-light, crispy potato chips engineered to deliver a satisfying crunch and salty punch with virtually no fat. The texture is noticeably airier and more brittle than traditional chips, as the absence of oil changes the frying and drying process. Nutritionally, they are a high-carb, high-fiber snack with a significant calorie density for their weight.
Calorie split: 10% protein · 88% carbs · 1% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love them for the guilt-free, loud crunch and the pure, salty potato flavor that satisfies a chip craving without the oily residue. They are a popular, convenient, and shelf-stable snack for on-the-go munching, lunchboxes, and pairing with sandwiches.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The high glycemic load can cause rapid blood-sugar spikes, making them a poor choice for diabetics or those managing insulin resistance. The salt content is also high, which can contribute to water retention and elevated blood pressure in sensitive individuals. To counteract this, pair them with a source of protein or healthy fat (like hummus, cheese, or nuts) to slow digestion, and practice strict portion control by pouring a single serving into a bowl instead of eating from the bag.
Key benefits
- Virtually fat-free (0.6g per 100g)
- Good source of dietary fiber (7.5g per 100g)
- Provides quick energy from carbohydrates
- Lower in calories than many fried snacks
- Simple, recognizable ingredient list
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The 'fat-free' label is achieved by using a special vacuum frying process or hot-air popping, which removes moisture and creates the crisp texture without the need for oil immersion.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 2.0 g |
| Energy | 379 kcal |
| Energy | 1586 kj |
| Protein | 9.6 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 0.60 g |
| Ash | 4.0 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 83.8 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 7.5 g |
| Total Sugars | 3.7 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 35.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 3.6 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 70.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 167 mg |
| Potassium, K | 1628 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 643 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.74 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.17 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 8.1 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 9.3 mg |
| Thiamin | 1.1 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.12 mg |
| Niacin | 6.4 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.80 mg |
| Folate, total | 45.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 45.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 45.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 54.1 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 1.0 ug |
| Retinol | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 7.0 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 11.0 iu |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 39.0 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.04 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3), International Units | 0.00 iu |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 9.1 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 0.15 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 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 0.11 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.01 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 0.01 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 0.01 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 0.26 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.20 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.06 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.00 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, corn-based, extruded, chips, plain — USDA does not publish this profile for Snacks.
| Tryptophan | 0.05 g |
| Threonine | 0.25 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.23 g |
| Leucine | 0.80 g |
| Lysine | 0.18 g |
| Methionine | 0.14 g |
| Cystine | 0.12 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.32 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.27 g |
| Valine | 0.33 g |
| Arginine | 0.33 g |
| Histidine | 0.20 g |
| Alanine | 0.49 g |
| Aspartic acid | 0.46 g |
| Glutamic acid | 1.2 g |
| Glycine | 0.27 g |
| Proline | 0.57 g |
| Serine | 0.31 g |
FAQ
How are they made without fat?
They are typically made using a vacuum frying or hot-air popping technique. This process cooks and dehydrates the potato slices at a lower temperature, removing moisture to create crispness without requiring oil immersion.
Are they healthier than regular potato chips?
They are significantly lower in fat and calories per gram. However, they are still a processed, high-carb, and high-sodium food. The 'healthier' choice depends on your overall dietary goals, especially regarding sodium and blood sugar management.
Why do they taste so salty?
Salt is a primary flavor enhancer, and in the absence of fat, which carries flavor and provides mouthfeel, manufacturers often increase the salt concentration on the surface to ensure the chips taste satisfying and flavorful.
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 3.79 kcal/g · 10% calories from protein · 7.5 g fiber · 3.7 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: 0.39 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.