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10 Best Chip Alternatives for Weight Loss

Americans spend more than $7 billion a year on chips—and we've got our waistlines to show for it.

Potato chips are one of the primary dietary contributors to weight gain in the U.S., a study in the New England Journal of Medicine states. Luckily, you don't have to quit your chip-chomping altogether to lose weight—you just have to choose the right ones. To help narrow the salty snack playing field, we've rounded up ten of the very best — taste and nutrition-wise — healthy alternatives to chips on supermarket shelves.

All of the options below have less than 8 grams of fat and come in under 140 calories per serving, which is less than what you'd find in the average bag of crisps. What's more, all of our picks are made with wholesome, nourishing ingredients and are free of the scary additives found in traditional snacks. Whether you're a fan of plain, BBQ, or sour cream and onion, we've got an option that's sure to hit the spot. Pick up a few of these healthy alternative to chips to stay fit and trim year-round.

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Lesser Evil Super 4 Roasted Red Pepper, 46 pieces, 1 oz

Calories 110
Fat 2 g
Saturated Fat 0 g
Carbs 18 g
Fiber 3 g
Protein 3 g

Made from a combination of white beans, quinoa, lentils and chia seeds, this clean and crunchy snack chosen in lieu of Lay's pepper-flavored variety will save you 50 calories and eight grams of artery-clogging fat. The tubular crunchy bites have a flavor reminiscent of BBQ chips that's downright addictive! The good news is you can eat 46 pieces before you hit that 110-calorie mark—not bad at all.

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Beanitos Better Cheddar Pinto Bean Chips, 12 chips, 1 oz

Calories 140
Fat 7 g
Saturated Fat 1 g
Carbs 14 g
Fiber 5 g
Protein 4 g

This gluten-free chip is made with pinto beans, brown rice, safflower oil, Cheddar cheese and a blend of seasonings. These aren't your typical cheesy chips, though. The garlic, onion and tomato powder provides a more full-bodied, fresh flavor, making it more satisfying than its competition. And, remember: the more satisfied you feel, the less you're apt to eat.

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Just Pure Foods Zucchini Chips, Sour Cream & Onion, 1/2 package, 0.75 grams

Calories 95
Fat 7.5 g
Saturated Fat 1 g
Carbs 7 g
Fiber 1.5 g
Protein 2 g

Three words: So. Freakin'. Good. While eating something made solely of dehydrated squash and a bunch of spices may not seem like it would be tasty, Just Pure Foods dazzles us with their culinary creation. It's crispy and full of an oniony, garlicky flavor that's hard to stop eating and, best of all, you don't have to. Even if you were to polish off half the bag in one sitting, it won't do much damage to your waistline.

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GeniSoy Soy Crisps Deep Sea Salted, 17 crisps, 1 oz

Calories 120
Fat 3.5 g
Saturated Fat 0 g
Carbs 18 g
Fiber 1 g
Protein 5 g

It's not just the lower calories that make this a good snack— it's the 5 grams of hunger-busting protein per serving. Pair this slightly salty chip alternative with a low-sodium salsa (we like Newman's Own Mild), add them to a salad as a crunchy topper or simply enjoy them solo. No matter how you eat them, they're sure to satisfy your chip craving and keep you feeling full and satisfied.

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Rhythm Superfoods Kale Chips Kool Ranch, 1 oz serving

Calories 140
Fat 7 g
Saturated Fat 0.5 g
Carbs 13 g
Fiber 4 g
Protein 6 g

To create their nutrient-packed snack, Rhythm air-crisps fresh, organic kale under low heat and flavors it with a delectable blend of spices. While these don't quite taste like Cool Ranch Doritos, they do have a savory garlic and dill flavor that pairs well with the vegetable's natural, earthy taste. Plus, one serving provides 55 percent of the day's vitamin A—a nutrient that promotes good vision and helps maintain healthy teeth and skin.

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Harvest Snaps Snapea Crisps Black Pepper, 22 pieces, 1 oz

Calories 120
Fat 6 g
Saturated Fat 0.5 g
Carbs 16 g
Fiber 3 g
Protein 5 g

This healthy alternative to chips offers a solid serving of fiber, a nutrient that aids digestion and helps keep appetite in check, and muscle-building protein. They're a hit with adults and kid alike—yes, even the picky ones that hate vegetables–thanks to Harvest's commitment to enhancing the peas' natural flavor with spices like black pepper. Munch on them solo, add them to salads, or dip them in hummus–you can't go wrong.

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Quest Protein BBQ Chips, personal 1.1 oz bag

Calories 120
Fat 2 g
Saturated Fat 0 g
Carbs 5 g
Fiber 0 g
Protein 21 g

Quest's smoky, backyard BBQ-flavored chips will tingle your taste buds—without blowing your diet. One individual snack bag can even serve as a savory on-the-go replacement for a post-workout protein shake. Before you laugh us off, you should know we have two big reasons to back up our claim: The salt can help replace electrolytes lost after a sweaty workout and one bag serves up as much protein as a 2.5-ounce chicken breast. Made from dried potatoes, a blend of milk protein and whey protein isolate and a generous amount of seasonings, this crunchy snack is sure to put your sad bag of Lay's to shame.

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Enjoy Life Plentils Garlic & Parmesan, personal 0.75 oz bag

Calories 100
Fat 4.5 g
Saturated Fat 0 g
Carbs 14 g
Fiber 1 g
Protein 2 g

This gluten-free chip swap is made from a host of spices and lentil powder—an ingredient not typically used to make packaged snacks. The result is a crispy, airy snack that's low in sodium and serves up a delicious balance of garlic and Parmesan cheese. While their texture is more reminiscent of pork rinds than chips, the crunch you crave is there.

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The Better Chip Beets and Sea Salt, 10 chips, 1 oz

Calories 140
Fat 8 g
Saturated Fat 0.5 g
Carbs 16 g
Fiber 2 g
Protein 2 g

We suggest giving these crimson-hued chips a try even if you're not a fan of beets. Made from whole-grain corn, masa flour, beets, oil and sea salt, this healthy alternative to chips is crunchy and satisfying. But far more importantly, they taste delicious—similar to corn chips, but with an underlying hint of beet. You're sure to love their earthy, slightly sweet flavor.

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Terra Exotic Harvest Vegetable Chips, 1 oz

Calories 130
Fat 6 g
Saturated Fat 0.5 g
Carbs 16 g
Fiber 3 g
Protein 2 g

This fun mix of carrots, blue potatoes, and kabocha squash boasts 40 percent less fat than potato chips and enough fiber to take the edge off your hunger. They also serve up 25 percent of the day's vitamin A. No traditional chips can claim that. Not to mention, they look mighty pretty on the chip 'n' dip platter.

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