bag of potato chips spilled out on counter
Sean Cate
Sean Cate
September 14, 2024 ·  4 min read

20+ Of The Worst Chips For Your Health

Chips are a popular go-to snack for many, but they are often loaded with unhealthy ingredients that can have negative impacts on your health. From high sodium content to artificial dyes and trans fats, the chips on this list are some of the unhealthiest options on the market. While moderation is key, it’s important to know which snacks to avoid if you’re looking to maintain a balanced diet.

1. Fritos Chili Cheese Flavored Corn Chips

Lake Forest, California - USA - February 26-2024: Frito's Chili Cheese Flavor Corn Chips. Mexican Food Flavor. Frito Lay's Corn Chips. Isolated on white. Room for text. Bag of Chips. Snack Food. Lunch
Source: Shutterstock

Fritos Chili Cheese Chips may be a fan favorite, but they’re high in fat and sodium. With 10 grams of fat and 210 mg of sodium per 31-chip serving, these chips are not ideal for frequent consumption.1

2. Doritos Flamin’ Hot Cool Ranch

Los Angeles, California, United States - 02-01-2023: A view of several shelves dedicated to varieties of Doritos chips, on display at a local grocery store.
Souce: Shutterstock

These chips are packed with artificial dyes like Red 40 and Blue 1, which have been linked to hyperactivity and potential health risks.

Read More: Processed Foods Have Always Been Deemed Unhealthy. What Exactly Does It Mean For A Food To Be ‘Processed’?

3. Pringles Enchilada Adobada Chips

Pringles Enchilada Adobada Chips
Credit: Pringles

With 280 mg of sodium and artificial dyes like Red 40, these Pringles are better left on the shelf.

4. Lay’s Sour Cream & Onion

Grovetown, Ga USA - 03 10 23: Grocery store Lats chips sour cream and onion
Source: Shutterstock

Lay’s Sour Cream & Onion Chips are high in sodium and low in protein, making them a snack that won’t satisfy your hunger for long.

5. Doritos Spicy Sweet Chili Chips

Kongsvinger, Norway 30 october 2022: Doritos Sweet Chilli Pepper flavour Tortilla Chips flavor package savory crisps snacks food isolated on white background
Source: Shutterstock

These chips contain 7 grams of fat and 280 mg of sodium per serving, along with artificial dyes, making them one of the unhealthiest Doritos options.

6. Pringles Philly Cheesesteak Chips

Pringles Philly Cheesesteak Chips
Credit: Pringles

Pringles Philly Cheesesteak Chips contain 9 grams of fat and 180 mg of sodium per serving. They offer little nutritional value and should be consumed sparingly.

7. Lay’s Wavy Hickory BBQ

Lay's Wavy Hickory BBQ
Credit: Lays

These chips are low in fiber and protein, meaning they won’t keep you full. Despite being free of artificial dyes, they still pack a lot of sodium.

8. Cheetos Flamin’ Hot Tangy Chili Fusion

Los Angeles, CA - July 17, 2023: Bags of new flavor Cheetos Flamin Hot flavored corn chips.
Source: Shutterstock

With 200 mg of sodium and harmful artificial dyes like Red 40 Lake, these Cheetos are best enjoyed sparingly.

9. Cheetos Flamin’ Hot

Los Angeles, CA, USA June 18 2023 Bags of Cheetos Flamin' hot brand cheese corn puffs snacks for sale at a supermarket shelf
Source: Shutterstock

High in sodium and low in nutritional value, Lay’s Flamin’ Hot chips contain artificial dyes that are better avoided.

Read More: Why Most Breakfast Cereals Are Seriously Unhealthy

10. Takis Fuego Rolls

quebec, canada, 10 22 2017 : view of takis snack in provigo grocery store at rue queen of sherbrooke town on the townships trail of eastern townships in quebec
Source: Shutterstock

These Takis contain 420 mg of sodium per 12-chip serving, a dangerously high amount for anyone watching their salt intake.

11. Cheetos Minis Flamin Hot Bites

Los Angeles, California, United States - 02-01-2023: A view of several containers of Cheetos Flamin' Hot minis, on display at a local grocery store.
Source: Shutterstock

With 410 mg of sodium and artificial dyes, these mini bites are a snack you’ll want to limit in your diet.

12. Funyuns Onion Flavored Rings

Los Angeles, CA - November 11, 2023: Large bags of Funyuns brand onion flavored rings on market shelf.
Source: Shutterstock

Funyuns are loaded with 280 mg of sodium and artificial ingredients that make them a poor choice for a healthy snack.

13. Takis Blue Heat Waves

Norway 3 july 2024: New Takis Blue Heat Hot Chili Pepper Waves chips hot spicy chips crisps snacks on white background
Source: Shutterstock

These chips contain the artificial dye Blue 1 Lake, which has been linked to hyperactivity in children and other health risks.

14. Ruffles Flamin’ Hot Cheddar & Sour Cream

Duluth, Ga United States 04.17.2024 Ruffles Flamin' Hot Cheddar and Sour Cream Potato Chips - Bold Flavor, Crunchy Texture Isolated on white background
Source: Shutterstock

These chips combine Flamin’ Hot and Cheddar flavors but are loaded with artificial dyes like Red 40 Lake.

Read More: 7 Easy Ways to Improve Your Gut Health: Recognize The Signs of an Unhealthy Gut

15. Tostitos Hint of Guacamole

Tostitos Hint of Guacamole
Credit: Tostitos

Despite the name, these chips don’t contain actual guacamole and are filled with artificial dyes like Yellow 5 and Blue 1 Lake.

16. Funyuns Flamin’ Hot Flavored Rings

Spicy red colored onion flavored rings inside a snack bag.
Source: Shutterstock

These chips are high in sodium and packed with artificial dyes like Red 40 Lake.

17. Takis Intense Nacho Rolls

Takis Intense Nacho Rolls
Credit: Takis

With 230 mg of sodium and 2.5 grams of saturated fat, these chips should be consumed in moderation.

18. Munchies Flamin’ Hot Snack Mix

CHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 31: Munchies snack mix chips purchased from public vending machine in airport during a travel trip at Chicago, Illinois on October 31,
Source: Shutterstock

This mix contains a whopping seven artificial dyes and is high in sodium, making it one of the unhealthiest snack options.

19. Ruffles Flamin’ Hot BBQ

Miami, Florida, USA - Aug 03, 2023: Ruffles Flamin Hot BBQ crinkle-cut potato chips for sale at a supermarket.
Source: Shutterstock

These BBQ-flavored chips are filled with artificial dyes and have a high sodium content.

20. Doritos Dinamita Sticks Tangy Fiery Lime

Doritos Dinamita Sticks Tangy Fiery Lime
Credit: Doritos

Lacking nutritional value, these Doritos sticks contain less than 1 gram of fiber and 2 grams of protein per serving.

21. Funyuns Spicy Queso Flavored Rings

Funyuns Spicy Queso Flavored Rings
Credit: Funyuns

These rings are packed with artificial dyes and provide very little nutritional value.

22. Chester Flamin’ Hot Fries

Los Angeles, California, United States - 07-22-2020: A view of several bags of Chester's Fries Flamin' Hot chips, on display at a local grocery store.
Source: Shutterstock

These fries contain artificial dyes and a high sodium count, making them a snack to avoid.

23. Lay’s Dill Pickle Flavored Potato Chips

Lay's Dill Pickle Flavored Potato Chips
Credit: Lays

With 1.5 grams of saturated fat and 160 mg of sodium, these chips offer minimal nutritional benefits.

24. Ruffles Queso Cheese Chips

Ruffles Queso Cheese Chips
Credit: Ruffles

Ruffles Queso Cheese Chips are high in fat and sodium, offering little in terms of nutritional value.

25. Mac’s Salt & Vinegar Flavored Pork Rinds

Mac's Salt & Vinegar Flavored Pork Rinds
Credit: Mac’s

These pork rinds have an extreme sodium content of 330 mg per half-ounce serving, making them one of the unhealthiest snacks on this list.

Beware of Your Snack Choices

Chips
Credit: Pixabay

While chips can be a convenient and tasty snack, it’s important to choose wisely. Many of the options listed here are packed with sodium, unhealthy fats, and artificial additives, which can contribute to long-term health issues if consumed regularly. Consider opting for healthier alternatives or enjoying these snacks in moderation.

H/t Eat This

Read More: Avoid These 5 Brain-Destructive Habits at All Cost, According to a Harvard Brain Health Expert