What are the most unhealthiest crisps? A Deep Dive into Ultra-Processed Snacks

October 18, 2025 •

4 min read

According to nutritionists, ultra-processed crisps are often high in fat, salt, and additives while offering little nutritional value. This guide addresses the common question: What are the most unhealthiest crisps? by dissecting what makes them so detrimental and identifying some of the key culprits to avoid.

Quick Summary

An in-depth guide to identifying the most nutritionally poor crisps, detailing key unhealthy ingredients like excess saturated fat, sodium, and artificial additives. It exposes misleading healthy claims and offers healthier alternatives.

Key Points

Saturated Fat is a Major Culprit: Crisps like Pringles and Doritos are notably high in saturated fats from industrial seed oils, contributing to heart health risks.
Sodium is a Significant Problem: Excessive salt in many crisps, particularly flavoured ones, is linked to high blood pressure and other cardiovascular issues.
Avoid Artificial Additives: Ultra-processed snacks like Cheetos and many flavoured varieties contain MSG and other artificial ingredients that provide no nutritional value and can trigger health problems.
Be Wary of 'Healthy' Marketing: Products like 'veggie chips' and 'low-fat' crisps can be nutritionally deceptive, often containing high salt, sugar, and processed ingredients despite their healthy appearance.
Choose Healthier Alternatives: For a satisfying crunch, opt for whole-food snacks like air-popped popcorn, nuts, or homemade baked veggie chips instead of highly processed crisps.
Read the Ingredient List Carefully: The best crisps have a very short ingredient list (potatoes, oil, salt), while the unhealthiest have a long list of complex, artificial compounds.

The Defining Factors of an Unhealthy Crisp

Identifying the unhealthiest crisps goes beyond a simple calorie count. Their poor nutritional profile is primarily due to high fat, salt, and additive content, as well as how they are processed.

High Saturated Fat: Many crisps are fried in industrial seed oils, contributing unhealthy fats. For example, Pringles have been noted for having more saturated fat than regular crisps. Excessive saturated fat can negatively affect heart health.
Excessive Sodium: Crisps contain high levels of salt, a flavor enhancer. High sodium intake is linked to increased blood pressure and heart disease. Flavoured crisps often have more sodium than plain ones.
Artificial Additives: Ultra-processed options often contain artificial flavorings, colors, and enhancers like MSG, offering no nutritional benefit and potentially causing adverse reactions.
The Problem with Processing: Highly processed crisps, like those made from dehydrated potato, lose nutritional value. High-heat frying can produce harmful chemicals like acrylamide.

The Worst Offenders: A Deep Dive into Unhealthy Crisps

While all deep-fried crisps should be eaten in moderation, some are particularly poor nutritional choices. Nutritionists and food experts frequently cite these as some of the unhealthiest:

Pringles: Made from potato dough, they contain many additives, high saturated fat, and lack nutritional value.
Doritos: These tortilla chips are high in fat, calories, and artificial flavorings. Certain flavors, like Spicy Sweet Chilli, are especially high in fat.
Cheetos: These cheese-flavored corn puffs are high in sodium, unhealthy fats, and artificial colors and flavors.
Fritos: Despite a simple ingredient list, Fritos are high in saturated fat and sodium.
Ruffles: Flavoured Ruffles are particularly high in sodium, unhealthy fats, and synthetic additives.

The Nutritional Deception of "Healthy" Crisps

Manufacturers often use marketing to make some products seem healthier, but labels tell a different story.

Veggie Chips: Often marketed as healthy, these are frequently made from processed starches and vegetable powders, then fried and salted like regular crisps. They can be high in saturated fat and sodium with minimal actual vegetable content.
Low-Fat Crisps: To compensate for less fat, these can have higher sugar and salt levels for flavor. They remain highly processed and may have similar calories to regular crisps.

Comparing the Nutritional Nightmare

Here is a comparison of some popular crisp types based on their average nutritional content per 100g. Values vary, but this shows general differences.


Crisp Type	Approx. Calories (per 100g)	Approx. Fat (per 100g)	Approx. Saturated Fat (per 100g)	Approx. Sodium (per 100g)	Key Issues
Pringles	519 kcal	29.3g	12.7g	500mg	Highly processed, high sat fat, high sodium, many additives
Doritos	505 kcal	26g	2.4g	1.2g (1200mg)	High fat, calories, and artificial flavourings
Cheetos	500-550 kcal	30-35g	High (varies)	High (varies)	High fat, sodium, and artificial colors/flavors
Regular Potato Crisps	514 kcal	29g	2.4g	1.2g (1200mg)	Can be high in fat and salt, but less additives than flavoured versions
Veggie Chips	540 kcal	37.9g	4.0g	1.1g (1100mg)	High in fat, saturated fat, and potentially misleading health claims

Health Implications Beyond the Snack Bag

Regularly eating the unhealthiest crisps can have significant health consequences due to their ultra-processed nature and unhealthy ingredients.

Weight Gain and Obesity: Crisps are high in calories but low in protein and fiber, offering little fullness. This can lead to excessive consumption and weight gain.
Increased Risk of Heart Disease: High saturated fat and sodium contribute to poor cardiovascular health, including high cholesterol and blood pressure.
Inflammatory Effects: Industrial oils used for frying, when repeatedly heated, can create harmful inflammatory compounds.
Empty Calories: These snacks offer minimal vitamins, minerals, or fiber, providing calories without real nourishment.

Smarter Snacking: Healthier Alternatives

Replacing unhealthy crisps with better options is key for healthier eating. Try these satisfying, crunchy alternatives:

Kale or Sweet Potato Chips: Homemade baked versions let you control oil and salt. Use olive oil and sea salt.
Air-Popped Popcorn: A whole-grain, high-fiber, low-calorie snack when prepared without excessive butter and salt.
Roasted Nuts and Seeds: Offer healthy fats, protein, and fiber for a satisfying crunch and sustained energy.
Vegetable Sticks with Hummus: A simple, nutrient-dense option with fiber, vitamins, and protein.
Lentil Crisps or Baked Tortilla Chips: Look for options with shorter ingredient lists and lower sodium and fat.

Conclusion

Understanding what makes some crisps unhealthiest is vital for informed dietary choices. The combination of high saturated fat, excessive sodium, and numerous artificial additives makes products like Pringles, Doritos, and Cheetos particularly poor options. Even seemingly healthy alternatives like 'veggie' or 'low-fat' crisps can be misleading, often high in processing, sugar, and salt. By reading nutritional labels and choosing whole-food alternatives, you can improve your snack habits significantly.

For Further Reading

For more detailed nutritional information and healthy eating advice, explore resources from reputable organizations like the American Heart Association (AHA), which offers guidance on sodium intake and heart-healthy choices.

Frequently Asked Questions

Brands like Pringles, Doritos, and Cheetos are consistently cited by nutritionists as some of the unhealthiest due to their high content of saturated fat, sodium, and artificial additives.

Not necessarily. Many vegetable crisps are highly processed and fried, often containing just as much, if not more, fat and sodium than regular potato crisps. Most of the nutrients from the vegetables are destroyed in the cooking process.

To maintain flavour after reducing fat, manufacturers often add higher levels of sugar and salt to low-fat crisps. These options can still be highly processed and offer little nutritional benefit compared to regular crisps.

Acrylamide is a chemical that can form during the high-temperature frying process of starchy foods like crisps. It is a potential carcinogen, and its presence in crisps is one of the reasons they are considered unhealthy.

Check the ingredient list. Simpler, shorter ingredient lists are generally a sign of less processing. Plain salted crisps made with just potatoes, oil, and salt are typically less processed than bold-flavoured varieties with long lists of additives.

Consider alternatives like homemade kale or sweet potato chips, air-popped popcorn, roasted nuts, or vegetable sticks with hummus. These options provide a satisfying crunch with significantly more nutritional value.

Eating crisps occasionally and in moderation is generally fine as part of a balanced diet. The key is to be mindful of portion sizes and not make them a regular snack, especially the ultra-processed varieties.