So-called healthy veggie chips loaded with fat and calories

Consumer Reports' testing finds veggie chips are not always healthier than regular potato chips.

Health conscious people may turn to veggie chips because they think it’s a healthier alternative to potato chips, but experts at Consumer Reports who evaluated 18 different brands of chips say that’s not always the case.

Five of the snacks tested, which call themselves veggie chips, are actually made from potato flour and are not nutritionally superior to potato chips at all.

"They do have a dash of vegetable powder, which seems mostly to add color. But they have about as much fat and calories as potato chips and a lot more sodium," said Erin Gudeux of Consumer Reports.

They also cost an average of 30 per cent more. These include Sensible Portions Garden Veggie Straws and Whole Foods 365 Everyday Value Veggie Chips.

Consumer Reports says a healthier alternative are chips made from sliced vegetables, liked top-rated Terra Exotic Vegetable Chips. They’re much lower in sodium and are made from real slices of root vegetables like sweet potato and parsnip.

“Keep in mind these are not crudités. They’re still fried. They’re loaded with fat and calories,” said Gudeux.

When you have a salty itch that only potato chips will scratch, Consumer Reporters suggests Lay’s Classics, which were the top-rated potato chips in previous tests. And potato chips on average have a lot less sodium than those potato-based vegetable chips.