When comparing popular snack foods like Doritos and potato chips, many people assume that potato chips are the healthier option. However, the answer may not be so clear cut. While both Doritos and potato chips can be highly processed and unhealthy when eaten in excess, there are some key nutritional differences between the two that are worth considering.
Calorie and Fat Content
One of the biggest factors when evaluating the healthiness of a snack food is its calorie and fat content. Here is how Doritos and potato chips compare:
Calories
| Food | Serving Size | Calories |
| Doritos Nacho Cheese | 1 oz (28g) | 145 |
| Lay’s Classic Potato Chips | 1 oz (28g) | 160 |
As you can see, Doritos have slightly fewer calories per serving compared to regular potato chips. However, both are still very high in calories for their serving size.
Total Fat
| Food | Total Fat per Serving |
| Doritos Nacho Cheese | 8g |
| Lay’s Classic Potato Chips | 10g |
Again, Doritos edge out potato chips when it comes to total fat content per serving. But neither option is low in fat.
Saturated Fat
| Food | Saturated Fat per Serving |
| Doritos Nacho Cheese | 1.5g |
| Lay’s Classic Potato Chips | 1.5g |
Doritos and potato chips are nearly identical when it comes to saturated fat content.
Trans Fat
| Food | Trans Fat per Serving |
| Doritos Nacho Cheese | 0g |
| Lay’s Classic Potato Chips | 0g |
Neither food contains trans fat, which is considered the unhealthiest type of fat.
Sodium Content
Excess sodium is linked to high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke. Here is how Doritos and potato chips compare:
| Food | Sodium per Serving |
| Doritos Nacho Cheese | 210mg |
| Lay’s Classic Potato Chips | 170mg |
Potato chips actually contain less sodium per serving compared to Doritos.
Ingredients
When looking at the ingredients list on a snack food, less is often better. Here are the top ingredients in Doritos and potato chips:
Doritos Nacho Cheese Ingredients
- Corn
- Vegetable oil (corn, soybean, and/or sunflower oil)
- Maltodextrin (made from corn)
- Salt
- Cheddar cheese
Lay’s Classic Potato Chips Ingredients
- Potatoes
- Vegetable oil (sunflower, corn, and/or canola oil)
- Salt
Doritos have more processed ingredients like maltodextrin and cheese powder. Potato chips stick to just three basic whole food ingredients.
Nutritional Value
When looking beyond just calories, fat, and sodium, here is how Doritos and potato chips compare nutritionally:
| Doritos (28g serving) |
Potato Chips (28g serving) |
|
| Protein | 2g | 2g |
| Carbs | 18g | 15g |
| Sugar | 0.5g | 0g |
| Fiber | 1g | 1g |
| Vitamin C | 0% DV | 6% DV |
| Iron | 2% DV | 3% DV |
| Potassium | 2% DV | 4% DV |
Potato chips contain more vitamins and minerals than Doritos since they are made from whole potatoes. Doritos offer little nutritional value overall.
So Are Doritos Healthier Than Potato Chips?
Based on the nutritional comparison, potato chips are slightly healthier than Doritos in some areas like:
- Lower in calories
- Lower in sodium
- More natural ingredients
- More vitamins and minerals
However, neither snack is particularly healthy overall. Some pros and cons include:
Doritos Pros:
- Lower in total fat than potato chips
- No trans fat
Doritos Cons:
- High in sodium
- Highly processed ingredients
- Very low nutritional value
Potato Chips Pros:
- Only made with real potato, oil, and salt
- Contains some vitamins like Vitamin C
- Lower in sodium than Doritos
Potato Chips Cons:
- High in calories and fat
- Low in protein, fiber
- Fried in oil, even if unsaturated
Healthiest Ways to Eat Doritos and Potato Chips
If you choose to indulge in these salty snacks, here are some ways to make them slightly healthier:
- Opt for baked versions instead of fried
- Choose smaller single-serving size bags
- Eat them only occasionally as a treat
- Pair with other nutritious foods like veggies and lean protein
- Drink plenty of water to offset the sodium
Moderation and balance is key when enjoying any processed snack food.
Conclusion
In general, classic potato chips are slightly “healthier” than Doritos when it comes to calorie, fat, sodium content, and ingredients. However, both foods should still be viewed as processed snack foods rather than nutritious options. Moderating portions and choosing baked varieties can help mitigate some of the unhealthy qualities of these popular snacks. Overall, its best to limit consumption of Doritos, potato chips, and other similar foods in favor of more wholesome, nourishing foods for regular snacking and meals.