Welcome to our comprehensive review of Veggie Straws, where we’ll analyze their nutritional value, taste, ingredients, versatility, and cost. If you’re considering incorporating Veggie Straws into your diet, this article will provide you with all the information you need to make an informed decision.
A Healthier Snack Option?
Sensible Portions Garden Veggie Straws have gained popularity as a healthier alternative to traditional potato chips. With their name implying a vegetable-based snack, they seem like a promising choice. But how do they actually stack up nutritionally?
The Crunchy Details
Veggie Straws are made from a combination of potatoes, tomatoes, and spinach, resulting in a light and crispy texture. They come in seven flavors, including Sea Salt, Zesty Ranch, Screamin’ Hot, BBQ, Cheddar Cheese, Sour Cream & Onion, and Cinnamon Apple.
Unraveling the Nutritional Claims
Marketed as “30% less fat than the leading potato chip,” Veggie Straws aim to promote themselves as a healthier alternative. While they are indeed lower in fat compared to traditional potato chips, it’s essential to delve deeper into their ingredients and nutritional composition.
Decoding the Ingredients
The main ingredients in Veggie Straws are potato starch and potato flour. The fat content primarily comes from expeller-pressed canola oil, safflower oil, and sunflower oil, which are higher quality alternatives to the corn and soybean oils often found in regular chips. These oils have a more desirable fatty acid ratio.
Additionally, these straws contain spinach powder and tomato paste for added flavor and trace nutrients. However, the amounts used are negligible, resulting in little to no extra nutrient value. The lack of fiber in Veggie Straws is also worth noting, as whole vegetables are typically a good source of dietary fiber.
The Nutritional Breakdown
Each serving of Veggie Straws (38 straws or 1 oz) contains 130 calories, 7g of total fat, 1g of saturated fat, and 220mg of sodium. The carbohydrates, ranging from 12g to 19g depending on the flavor, come from potato starch, potato flour, and corn starch. Surprisingly, despite the addition of spinach, Veggie Straws have a similar iron content to traditional potato chips.
Considering the Cost
Sensible Portions Garden Veggie Straws can be purchased in Ontario for $3.27 to $4.29 for a 142g bag, offering an affordable snacking option.
The Verdict
Although Veggie Straws contain spinach and tomato powder, their nutritional value remains similar to regular potato chips. While they may have less fat and better oil choices, the lack of fiber and comparable iron content makes their vegetable additions insignificant.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Veggie Straws Healthier Than Potato Chips?
Despite their name, Veggie Straws are, in fact, potato chips. Their main ingredients are potatoes, and they undergo the same frying process as traditional chips. While spinach and tomato are included, their quantities do not add significant nutritional value.
Can Veggie Straws Help with Weight Loss?
Veggie Straws have a light texture and are relatively low in calories, but they lack fiber and protein content necessary for satiety between meals.
Do Veggie Straws Contain Real Vegetables?
Veggie Straws mainly consist of potatoes, with minimal amounts of spinach and tomato powder. The added vegetable content does not significantly boost their nutrient profile.
Are Veggie Straws Good for Digestion?
With no dietary fiber, Veggie Straws are unlikely to offer any digestive benefits.
Are Veggie Straws Gluten-Free?
Veggie Straws do not include gluten-containing ingredients on their label. However, it’s advisable to reach out to the manufacturer for allergen information.
Are Veggie Straws Suitable for Allergies?
Certain flavors of Veggie Straws contain milk. While no other priority allergens are listed, the products are not processed in an allergen-free facility. Always check with the manufacturer for accurate ingredient and allergen details.
Are Veggie Straws Keto?
Unfortunately, Veggie Straws are not suitable for a keto diet as they contain 12-19g of carbohydrates per serving.
Are Veggie Straws Nut-Free?
Veggie Straws themselves do not contain nuts. However, the manufacturer does not guarantee that their facility is nut-free.
For more product reviews, check out our RXBAR – Dietitian Review!
Please note: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical or professional advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before making any dietary changes.