In 2011 the New England Journal of Medicine published a study looking at over 120,000 people and their lifestyle habits (diet and exercise) impacting on weight control. The study began in 1986 and these people were followed until 2006. In every 4 year period, the average weight gain was 3.35 pounds. The food that was most responsible for the weight gain? Increasing consumption of chips. This was followed by potatoes, sugar containing beverages and processed foods.
That is sort of surprising…consumption of chips as the leafing cause of weight gain over the years? Well, when you look at the nutritional content of chips, the content is not exactly the “high protein/high vegetable-low carb/low fruit/low fat we preach at the SP program.
Let’s look at our good old friend, Pringles: 14 chips have 150 calories, 9 grams of fat, 15 grams of carbs and 160 mg of sodium. How about a “healthier” chip, such as reduced fat Lays, oven baked: 17 chips contain 22 grams of carbs, 3.5 grams of fat and 120 calories.
The bottom line for chips: Take a pass. If you want something crunchy, think carrots or celery dipped in a very low fat/low carb dressing.