Don’t start a chip and dip habit
Chip and dip, loved by many, is a snack that symbolises being on holiday and good times. I understand the appeal. The convenience, the crunch, the salt, the fat. Very yummy and hard to stop when plonked in front of you.
But let’s learn a little by checking out the fat, salt and overall calorie content.
I have chosen to look at Bluebird salt and vinegar potato chips, Nestle reduced cream, and Maggi onion soup – the classic chip and dip combo.
The dip ingredients were conveniently located together at the end of the aisle. I’m sure it’s no coincidence they’re placed together.
Kilojoules (kj) and calories (kcal) are both units of measure that symbolise the energy available in food. New Zealand typically uses kilojoules on food labels, which can be confusing, especially if you’re used to hearing the word ‘calorie’. Ultimately, they measure the same thing. To convert kilojoules to calories you divide kilojoules by 4.2.
Per 100g the Bluebird chips contain 33.7g of total fat, 1540mg of sodium and 529kcal. Per pack this is 50.6g of fat, 2310mg of sodium and 793kcal. A high fat and sodium product.
Per 100g the dip contains 21.4g of total fat, 42mg of sodium and
216kcal. Per tin this is 53.5g of fat,
105mg of sodium and 540kcal. A high-fat but low-sodium product.
The soup label is confusing. If made into a soup you can analyse it per 100ml. But per sachet there is 2.4g of total fat,
1635mg of sodium and 114kcal. A low-fat and, depending on how you consume it, either a medium or high-sodium product.
The consumption and ratio of dip per chip is going to differ between those who partake in eating them, but for argument’s sake let’s say four people eat the chip and dip in equal quantities.
If this were the case, each
If you love chip and dip, aim to increase your awareness while eating and stop when you’re satisfied.
person would be eating 26.6g of fat, 1012mg of sodium and 362kcal.
To put this into perspective, you could eat over seven cups of strawberries for the same calories, but you probably wouldn’t.
You could eat around 53 olives for the same amount of fat, but you probably wouldn’t.
In regards to sodium, well, that one snack is over half your recommended daily sodium intake.
I assume most people don’t eat chip and dip because of their nutritional profile, more so because they enjoy them, or out of habit.
But they’re without a doubt a quick way to add fat, sodium and calories to your diet.
If you love chip and dip, aim to increase your awareness while eating and stop when you’re satisfied. If you eat them out of habit, see if there are other options available.