Craving Crunchy, Salty Snacks? Try These Healthy Swaps

If you feel like you could down a bag of chips right now, you’re not alone. Carb-rich foods like chips, pizza and pasta activate certain receptors in our brains that provide us with a fleeting relief of feelings of anxiety or depression during particularly stressful times. In fact, even simply reading about these foods can trigger cravings.

To help you satisfy your stress cravings without throwing in the towel on nutrition, here are some of our favorite go-to trade-outs for chips and other salty, crunchy snacks.

Whisps Cheese Crisps: 100% Cheese Crisps

• 170 calories, 330 milligrams sodium, 1 gram carbs, 0 grams fiber, 10 grams protein

Just the Cheese: 100% Baked Cheese Bars

• 150 calories, 300 milligrams sodium, less than 1 gram carb, 0 grams fiber, 8 grams protein

Rhythm Superfoods: Cauliflower Bites

• 190 calories, 1.5 grams saturated fat, 240 milligrams sodium, 9 grams carbs, 3 grams fiber, 3 grams protein

Rhythm Superfoods: Carrot Sticks

• 140 calories, 0 grams saturated fat, 115 milligrams sodium, 29 grams carbs, 11 grams fiber, 3 grams protein

Lesser Evil: Grain Free Egg White Curls

• 130 calories, 250 milligrams sodium, 13 grams carbs, less than 1 gram fiber, 6 grams protein

To schedule a nutrition consult, virtually or in-person, contact us at nutrition@ochsner.org or call us at 504-733-1600.

Optimum Nutrition: Protein Ridges

• 170 calories, 320 milligrams sodium, 15 grams carbs, less than 1 gram fiber, 15 grams protein

Quest Nutrition: Protein Chips

• 140 calories, 330 milligrams sodium, 5 grams carbs, 1 gram fiber, 19 grams protein

Editor’s note: Registered dietitian Molly Kimball offers brand-name products as a consumer guide; she does not solicit product samples nor is she paid to recommend items. This originally appeared on WGNO’s “Get the Skinny” segment.