Decoding the Processed Food Spectrum
Before determining if Siete chips are processed, it's essential to understand what 'processed food' truly means. The NOVA food classification system provides a useful framework, dividing foods into four groups based on their level of processing.
- Group 1: Unprocessed or Minimally Processed Foods. These are natural foods altered only by minor processes like drying, grinding, or pasteurization to extend their life or make them easier to consume. Examples include frozen vegetables or whole-wheat flour.
- Group 2: Processed Culinary Ingredients. These are substances like oils, sugar, and salt, derived from Group 1 foods.
- Group 3: Processed Foods. Simple products made by combining Group 1 and Group 2 items, such as canned vegetables or homemade bread.
- Group 4: Ultra-Processed Foods. Formulations of multiple ingredients, many industrial in nature, and often high in sugar, fat, and sodium, with little to no resemblance to whole foods. Standard packaged snacks like most mainstream potato or tortilla chips fall here.
In this context, virtually all packaged snacks undergo some level of processing. The real distinction for nutrition is the degree of processing, a factor where Siete chips diverge significantly from typical snacks.
The Siete Chips Ingredient Difference
Siete Foods built its brand on offering healthier, grain-free alternatives. The ingredients used in their tortilla chips are a prime example of their minimally processed philosophy.
Typical Siete Grain-Free Chip Ingredients
- Cassava Blend: A mix of cassava flour and starch, a root vegetable that replaces traditional corn flour and provides a hearty texture.
- Avocado Oil: Used for frying, it is a monounsaturated fat that is considered a healthier alternative to the industrial seed oils often used in ultra-processed snacks.
- Coconut Flour: Adds to the grain-free composition and contributes to flavor and texture.
- Chia Seed: Included for texture and nutritional value.
- Sea Salt: A simple, natural seasoning.
These ingredients are relatively clean and recognizable, in stark contrast to the long, often unpronounceable lists found on many ultra-processed chip packages.
How Siete Chips Are Processed
Siete's manufacturing process is designed to be as minimal as possible while still producing a shelf-stable and delicious snack. Unlike some ultra-processed counterparts that might use complex additives, Siete focuses on core, straightforward steps.
Key steps in making Siete chips:
- Mixing: The clean, simple ingredients—primarily cassava flour, coconut flour, and oil—are mixed to form a dough or masa.
- Forming: The dough is rolled thin and cut into the familiar chip shapes.
- Baking: The chip pieces are baked to reduce moisture and enhance the final product's flavor and texture before frying.
- Frying: The chips are fried in avocado oil, a high-quality fat chosen for health benefits, a step common to most fried chips but with a key ingredient difference.
- Seasoning and Packaging: After frying, the chips are seasoned with natural ingredients like sea salt and packaged to maintain freshness.
This process is relatively simple, primarily using standard techniques like mixing, cutting, and frying, but the quality of the base ingredients places Siete in the minimally processed category, not ultra-processed.
Comparison: Siete Chips vs. Traditional Tortilla Chips
| Feature | Siete Grain-Free Tortilla Chips | Traditional Tortilla Chips (e.g., mainstream brands) |
|---|---|---|
| Core Ingredient | Cassava flour, coconut flour | Corn masa (often reconstituted from dried flour) |
| Oil Used | 100% Avocado Oil | Industrial seed oils (e.g., soybean, canola, corn oil) |
| Ingredient List | Short and simple, with recognizable names | Longer, often including artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives |
| NOVA Classification | Minimally Processed (Group 1) | Ultra-Processed (Group 4) |
| Health Reputation | Generally considered a healthier, cleaner option | Often viewed as a high-calorie, low-nutrient indulgence |
| Fat Type | Monounsaturated fats from avocado oil | Often high in inflammatory omega-6 fatty acids |
The Verdict: Minimally Processed
So, are Siete chips considered processed? Yes, by definition, any food altered from its natural state is processed. However, the critical takeaway for a healthy nutrition diet is the degree of processing. Siete chips fall squarely into the minimally processed category. They use a short list of high-quality, recognizable ingredients and employ standard, uncomplicated food preparation methods. They are a healthier alternative to the ultra-processed, additive-filled snacks that dominate the market. This difference aligns with the growing demand for food transparency and better-for-you ingredients.
Conclusion: Finding the Right Balance
For those managing a nutrition diet focused on whole foods, Siete chips offer a significantly better choice than their conventional counterparts. Their reliance on cleaner ingredients like cassava flour and avocado oil, coupled with minimal processing, makes them a preferable snack option. However, it is still a manufactured snack food. Like all packaged products, portion control is important, as calories can add up quickly. Including Siete chips as an occasional, satisfying treat, rather than a diet staple, is the best approach for maintaining a balanced and healthy eating pattern.
For more information on processed food classification, a great resource is the NOVA classification system, developed by researchers at the University of São Paulo.
Siete Chips and Processed Foods:
- Siete chips are considered minimally processed, not ultra-processed, due to their simple, recognizable ingredients like cassava flour and avocado oil.
- The NOVA food classification system helps categorize foods based on their degree of processing, with Siete fitting into the less-processed category than most commercial chips.
- Siete chips use healthier fats, specifically avocado oil, which offers a better nutritional profile than the industrial seed oils found in many traditional chips.
- Their grain-free and allergy-friendly ingredients (like cassava and coconut flour) cater to specific dietary needs, including Paleo and gluten-free diets.
- While healthier, they are still a snack food, and portion control is important to maintain a balanced diet, as calories can still accumulate.
