Everyone likes chips, and they are highly recognized for their crunchiness and flavors. They are the most common snacks at almost every party and different occasions. Chips are often served with sauces and ketchup for toppings.
Chips are fast food and have a high oil content. But it is safe if you use gluten-free chips because of allergies and health hazards related to gluten. This article provides information regarding which chips are gluten-free and which are not, serving as a guide to gluten-free chips.
There are several types of gluten-free chips that you can use to avoid health issues due to food contamination with gluten particles. Below is the list describing the types of chips that do not contain gluten.
Corn-based tortilla chips
Tortilla chips are naturally gluten-free because they are made of corn. They have different colors due to the different types of corn used to make them. Such chips are made of corn, salt, and oil.
Specific brands
Following are the specific brands or companies that make gluten-free corn-based tortilla potato chips, and other snacks:
These chips are certified gluten-free and made from organic salt, oil, and corn.
• Late July Organic Sea Salt Corn Tortilla Chips
• Blue corn tortilla chips
• Frito-Lay company:
One can buy gluten-free chips online from this company.
Potato chips
Potato chips are available in the market and mostly gluten-free. Gluten-free potato chips are made of potato, sunflower oil, and salt as their main ingredients.
• Kettle Brand: These gluten-free chips are unique and have special flavors.
• Late July Organic Potato Chips: These chips are also certified gluten-free and come in thin shapes and different flavors.
• Frito-Lay: This company also follows gluten-free standards for its chips and snacks.
• Veggie chips: Veggie chips are also available in the market and provide you with more fibers than other chips.
• Terra Original Sea Salt Vegetable Chips: These chips contain vegetables as their main ingredient and are gluten-free.
• Siete Grain-Free Tortilla Chips: Cassava flour and avocado oil are the main ingredients of siete grain-free tortilla chips.
• Forager Project Organic Vegetable Chips Super Greens: These chips are also gluten-free and made of leafy greens and brown rice.
Gluten-containing chips
If you want to avoid gluten-contaminated chips, then you must avoid chips made of whole wheat flour, barley flour, or pita chips.
How to make sure your chips are gluten-free
- Look for gluten-free labels on packaging
There must be some labels on packets as the FDA maintains standards of gluten content in chips or other snacks. So look carefully for the labels when you buy gluten-free chips.
- Avoid gluten-containing ingredients
Many chips do not have any label, but you must know before buying such things that which ingredients contain gluten.
Pita bread, wheat flour, and barley contain gluten. So look onto the ingredients to avoid gluten.
Gluten-containing ingredients in chips
If the bags of chips contain the following ingredients, it means that they have gluten:
• Starch
• Whole wheat
• Wheat berries
• Barley
• Rye
• Einkorn wheat
• Durum
• Emmer
• Farina
• Semolina
• Spelt
• Graham
• Triticale
• Brewer’s yeast
• Phosphate flour
• Malted barley flour
• Malt flavoring
• Malt vinegar
• Malt extract
Know Which Ingredients Are Gluten-Free
Most corn chips, tortilla chips, and potato chips can be gluten-free. Gluten-related disorders can be caused due to the usage of wheat, barley, and any food items that contain gluten. So to avoid such situations, you have to look for gluten-free ingredients.
Gluten-Free Ingredients in Chips
The gluten-free ingredients are the following:
- Corn
- Potato
- Soy
- Rice
- Millet
- Teff
- Maize
- Amaranth
- Cassava
- Buckwheat
- Sorghum
- Tapioca
- Quinoa
- Chickpea
- Beans
- Seeds
Choosing a Healthy Gluten-Free Chip Variety
Gluten-free chips lack gluten content, but it does not mean that they are healthy and nutritious. So look for the variety that contains healthy ingredients and low sodium.
Opt for Whole Food Ingredients
Whenever you buy gluten-free chips, look for simple ingredients that do not contain food colors and additives because these ingredients can also be harmful.
Consider Sodium Content
Gluten-free or tortilla chips may contain a high amount of sodium, which can cause heart diseases. So look for the sodium content when you buy potato chips. Packaged food contains 70% of the average sodium intake of a person.
Gluten-Free Chip Alternatives
There are some alternatives to gluten-free chips that are healthy and nutritious.
Veggie-Based Snacks
- Jicama sticks
- Carrot sticks
- Celery sticks
- Cucumber slices
- Kale chips
- Sweet potato chips
- Carrot chips
- Beet chips
- Dried seaweed
- Roasted chickpeas
- Dried broccoli florets
- Green pea crisps
- Sugar snap peas
Grain-Based Snacks
- Popcorn
- Rice cakes
- Gluten-free pretzels
High Protein Snacks
- Almonds
- Peanuts
- Pistachios
- Walnuts
- Pumpkin seeds
Fruit-Based Snacks
- Coconut chips
- Freeze-dried strawberries
- Apple slices
- Pear slices
- Dried apples
A Basic Overview of Gluten
Some people do not have any problem with a gluten-containing diet, while others may have serious health issues. Gluten is a group of proteins found in grains and cereals like wheat, rye, and bread, etc.
Oats can also be contaminated when they are processed with a gluten-containing diet.
Which Populations Can’t Eat Gluten?
People who have intestinal issues or digestive disorders cannot eat gluten. Some people have serious issues related to gluten, while others may not have much effect. Severe health issues may occur in some populations that can be life-threatening.
Many people have allergies related to gluten, so they should not go for gluten-containing food.
The Bottom Line
Gluten-free chips are available in the market. So if you want to avoid gluten-containing chips or food for medical reasons, look for corn chips, potato chips, or veggie chips that are naturally gluten-free. Pita chips may contain gluten, so try to avoid them. Gluten is found in wheat, rye, barley, and starch. So look at the label or ingredients whenever you buy snacks or chips.
