According to a Statista survey in 2020, 85% of the U.S. population eats potato chips. Combining that with the fact that potato chips are the top-selling snack in the country, selling more than $ 7 billion a year, to say that this fried food is popular is an understatement.
It may be popular, but it’s not good for you. In fact, potato chips are the first on the list of the 7 foods you can probably lose weight, according to a study published in The New England Journal of Medicine.
With a significant majority of the country regularly participating in this salty, fatty, fried food, it is very likely that a large proportion of the people may be eating too many chips. But how can you know?
You eat too many potato chips if you constantly feel bloated and bloated.
Liz Lehman, Managing Director, a board-certified and licensed anesthetist and founder of Aluminate Life, tells us that ‘The number one sign that you are eating too many chips, feeling bloated and swollen– especially your hands, feet and lips. This is due to water retention by excess salt. ‘
You may also feel puffy and bloated due to weight gain caused by eating too many low-calorie chips. “The size of chip bags is getting bigger. Manufacturers know that it’s hard to stop eating chips once you start. The more salty chips you eat, the more you want,” and the more weight you can put on, say Leann Poston, MD, MBA, MEd, a physician at Invigor Medical.
First, what do you consider to be “too much?”
More than 1 serving per day is too much, share dr. Lehman. One serving is 1 ounce or 18 chips.
But even eating one serving of potato chips a day is a lot. Alexis Parcells, Managing Director, a plastic surgeon and owner of Parcells Plastic Surgery certified by the council, says that you should limit the consumption of potato chips to not just the palm of your hand.
“Most traditional potato chips are seasoned with a large amount of salt and oil. Like any junk food, it can be tolerated in small doses (to fill the palm of your hand). Larger doses are unhealthy and will quickly lead to weight gain.” “Say dr. Parcells.
Why potato chips can make you feel bloated and bloated.
Dr. Lehman tells us that most of the symptoms of excess consumption of potato chips are mainly related to the excess intake of sodium. The recommended sodium intake is less than 2,300 milligrams per day, but most Americans consume more than 3,200 milligrams per day, says Dr. Lehman.
One serving of potato chips is one ounce, but potato chips are often packaged in one-serving bags of two ounces. Because who can resist opening a bag of potato chips and not finishing it? It can cause you to ingest as much as 660 milligrams of sodium if you polish off the whole bag – that’s 29% of your daily recommended intake! Bags on taste, such as BBQ, sour cream, or salt and vinegar, are among the worst offenders. (See: The unhealthiest potato chips on the planet)
There’s also a more subtle, sneaky reason why potato chips can make you feel bloated and swollen: inflammation.
“Potato chips are made with refined oils and processed carbohydrates, which are very inflammatory. Refined oils are a class of omega-6 oils, which are inflammatory, especially if there is an imbalance between omega-3 anti-inflammatory fats. to inflammation and pain throughout the body, along with brain fog, fatigue and weight gain, “says Trista Best, MPH, RD, LD a registered dietitian at Balance One Supplements. (Related: 14 inflammatory foods that cause weight gain)
There are also long-term problems associated with eating too many potato chips.
Most of the dangerous side effects of eating too many potato chips are felt in the long run, and it will be difficult to pinpoint potato chips as the only culprit. However, if you know that you eat chips every day, it is likely that they play a role.
One of the worst side effects of eating too many potato chips is also very difficult to spot: high blood pressure.
“Potato chips usually contain between 120 and 180 milligrams of sodium per ounce. In the long run, it can cause high blood pressure. Unfortunately, most people with high blood pressure do not have symptoms associated with it, and it can be dangerous as it may not be properly “If left untreated, high blood pressure can lead to stroke, heart failure, coronary heart disease and kidney disease,” says Dr. Parcells.
Other long-term side effects of many slides are weight gain, difficulty sleeping, dry skin, kidney disease, headaches and inflammation.
Does that mean I should not eat potato chips?
Potatoes are actually decently healthy. (Yes, although it is “white” and is traditionally associated with unhealthy carbohydrates.) Potatoes usually get bad turnips because we usually use them as fried foods, such as chips or fries.
In fact, potatoes are an affordable carbohydrate and are a surprisingly good source of potassium (13% DV – it’s more than a banana!) And vitamin C (23% DV) when eaten with the skin.
Potato chips however, is a different story.
“In general, potato chips are not a health food. They contain a low nutritional value, a lot of sodium (which can affect blood pressure) and often contain anti-inflammatory ingredients – such highly processed vegetable oils – which can lead to the development of health dysfunction and disease. , “says Sheri Vettel, RD, a registered dietitian at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition.
But you can not blame potato chips for all your health problems.
“Apart from extreme circumstances (such as a diet based mainly on potato chips!), It is difficult to look at the consumption of potato chips in isolation without considering the overall quality of one’s diet as a whole, says Vettel.
“For example, if someone really likes potato chips and has a full-diet, high-quality, nutritious diet, there are fewer adverse health consequences if you sometimes eat potato chips. For those who eat the standard American diet (or SAD) diet,” even snacking on potato chips sometimes takes away the chance to eat more nutrient-dense foods, ”adds Vettel.
To determine if you need to reduce your consumption of potato chips, Vettel encourages you to think and listen to your body. Think about healthier snacks, reflect on how you feel physically and emotionally after eating potato chips, and think about whether you have any health conditions (such as high blood pressure) that you need to reevaluate your consumption of potato chips.
What are some healthy alternatives to potato chips?
If you eat too many potato chips, consider snacking on a substitute: “Alternatives to regular chips include baked vegetable chips, apple chips and popcorn. “These snacks usually contain less salt, calories and fat than fried chips and also produce fiber,” says Dr. Parcells.
You do not even have to have a 1: 1 potato chip substitute to improve your health status. Instead, you can just focus on adding more healthy foods to your diet that will “displace” the potato chips:
“By adding healthier foods to your diet, you will gently displace the choices that are not best for you. This concept of displacement can help you create a healthier relationship with food in general, but especially around food. which is not so nutritious, “recommends Vettel, noting that working with a health coach is a great way to become clear about how your food choices make you feel.
For more information on these salty, fatty foods, do not miss the ugly side effects of eating potato chips, according to science.
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