Fruit Substitutes for Chips

No matter what you call them—chips or crisps—fried potato thins dosed with salt and flavoring are the most delectable snack. They form the perfect junk food accompaniment to any leisure activity—watching a game on television or for a quick snack to stave off hunger a few hours between meals. Potato chips are tremendously addictive and pack over 150 calories to the handful. An average serving of three or four handfuls of chips gives packs in 600 calories—about a quarter of the daily recommended calorific intake for an adult male.

However, fruit makes a great substitute for chips because they fill you up without piling on the unhealthy calories. Here are some of them.

Apple

The old adage, “an apple a day keeps the doctor away” is well grounded in food science and medical practice. A serving of crunchy apples is a perfect substitute for the crunch of a greasy potato chip while giving you over 17 percent of your recommended daily allowance of fiber. Apples are excellent sources of vitamin C and play a vital role in regulating blood glucose. Quercetin is a flavonol found in apples that aid your immune system against a host of illnesses.

Açaí Berry

Considered as one of the “superfruits”, these delicious berries are loaded with antioxidants and have an exotic, delicious flavor that is described as being ‘chocolatey’ berry. Açai berries are a great source of several healthy omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins and minerals. They make for a great snack and their delectable flavor eclipses that of a potato chip.

Tomato

The humble tomato is a fruit that freshens the palate and works well as a savory snack by itself or when seasoned with salt, pepper, or paprika. Tomatoes are rich in vitamins A, B6, folic acid, and vitamin C as well as a good source of several minerals including zinc, potassium, and phosphorus. Potatoes are also very versatile in the kitchen and can be fried, stuffed or served with a topping of hummus or cheese.

Pomegranate

Juicy red flesh and crunchy seeds make the pomegranate an ideal substitute for chips. Pomegranate juice is believed to possess powerful anti-inflammatory properties and eating the fruit is believed to strengthen the immune system against bacterial and viral infections. As a substitute for chips, pomegranate offers the crunchy, mouth-watering goodness of a snack in a healthy package.

The next time you feel the urge to reach for a bag of fried, greasy, and salt-loaded chips in the office, think of healthier fruit alternatives that will entice your taste buds.