They’re an affordable snack, easily accessible, and come in a dizzying array of flavors, readily available at any supermarket or local convenience store. It’s no wonder that crisps have become a staple in the UK, with Britons consuming an astonishing 10 billion packets each year. This translates to an average of 140 packs per person annually.

Despite their irresistible appeal, crisps are notorious for their content of additives, sugars, artificial flavorings, and salt. While the addictive crunch and taste might satisfy your cravings, they come with a health caveat.

Notably, the Potato Processors’ Association highlights that today’s average packet of crisps contains about half the salt compared to those sold in 1991. However, they still hover near the upper limits of what is considered a healthy daily salt intake.

But for those who can’t resist reaching for a bag, there’s no need to abandon your beloved snack just yet. There are ways to enjoy them more mindfully without completely cutting them out of your diet.

But crisp lovers – don’t despair just yet. 

Not all crisps are created equal, it turns out, when it comes to our health. 

‘It’s all about moderation with crisps, as with most things,’ says specialist dietician Nichola Ludlam-Raine. 

‘But as long as you’re not eating too much, too often, some aren’t all that unhealthy.’ 

So read on for our expert-led guide to the healthiest crisps on your supermarket shelves – and what to look out for when you’re next purchasing a crunchy snack. 

5. Hula Hoops Original

In fifth place for healthiest crisp comes this childhood classic – which you’ll be shocked to hear is not a UPF…

£2.35 for six 24g single packs at Tesco 

UPF rating: ORANGE

Salt: 0.34g ORANGE

Sugar:

Energy per 25g: 120kcal

It may shock you to hear. But Hula Hoops – original flavour, that is – is not an ultra processed food, also known as UPF. 

This means that it does not contain any preservatives or additives, and all ingredients could feasibly be bought in the shop or found in one’s pantry. 

The much-loved crisp contains potato, sunflower oil, salt and two types of flour – rice and maize. 

It does contain potassium chloride – a type of salt that reduces sodium in food – which is not a UPF itself, but can indicate that a food itself is processed. 

But unlike many of the other typical UPF ingredients, it has not been linked to conditions like diabetes or bowel cancer – and in fact, is often added to help reduce salt levels in food. 

Says paediatric dietician Emma Shafqat: ‘The sugar in the hula hoops was quite good, at less than 0.5g, and the salt’s not too bad either, coming in at less than a gram.’ 

Health service daily guidelines for sugar and salt intake advise that food is kept to less than 0.3g of salt per 100g serving. 

Sugar, meanwhile, should ideally be 5g or less per 100g.

‘A grab bag of Hula Hoops does clock in at 120kcals, however, which is slightly on the higher end,’ added Ms Shafqat.

‘As a dietician, typically when we advise on snacks – particularly to those who are worried about their weight – we stay to stick to something under 100kcals.’

4. Eat Real Hummus Chips – Tomato and Basil 

In fourth place are Eat Real’s tomato and basil flavoured hummus crisps – made from chickpeas, but with a concerningly long ingredients list…

£2.25 for 110g at Tesco

UPF rating: RED

Salt: 0.23g GREEN

Sugar: 0.5g GREEN

Energy per 22g: 99kcal

Made from chickpeas, the Eat Real hummus chips would classify to most as a ‘healthy’ crisp option. 

But a glance at the ingredient list on the packet shows this isn’t quite the case. 

These crisps have the most ingredients – and additives – of any in the round-up, with added flavourings, sugar syrup and colouring. 

They are, however, on the lower end of the scale calorie-wise, and have much less fat than fried crisps. 

‘Surprisingly, given that they’re made of chickpeas, these only have 0.5g of fibre in them,’ said dietician Ms Shafqat. 

Adds dietician Nichola Ludlam-Raine, author of How Not to Eat Ultraprocessed: ‘These crisps have quite a lot of ingredients, but they’re also an example that just because something is ultraprocessed, it doesn’t mean it’s bad for you.’

3. Tyrells Sea Salted Veg Sharing Crisps

Coming in third are Tyrells root vegetable crisps – with just three ingredients, they don’t contain any flavourings or preservatives. But their sugar content left our experts gobsmacked…

 £2.75 for 125g at Tesco 

UPF rating: GREEN

Salt: 0.33g ORANGE

Sugar: 7.1g RED

Energy per 30g: 157 kcal

Tyrells sea salt vegetable crisps have just three ingredients – root vegetables, oil and salt. 

They also have a whopping 11g of fibre – nearly half the recommended daily amount for women (25g) and a third of men’s (38g). 

Fibre has been shown to have a number of health benefits in recent years – helping with anything from weight loss to reducing the risk of certain cancers. 

A high fibre content will also help contribute to a feeling of fullness, says dietician Ms Ludlam-Raine, which could keep people from overeating. 

‘They’ve also got 5g of protein in them, which will also contribute to satiety,’ she said. 

The veg crisps are Ms Ludlam-Raine’s favourite of the round-up – for their non UPF ingredients, and great nutritional profile.

However, as Ms Shafqat points out, they are also quite high in sugar – clocking in at 7g per serving.  

‘The perception with vegetable crisps is that they’re healthy and better for you,’ she said. 

‘But I was really shocked by how much sugar these had in them – 7g per 30g serving is a massive amount.’ 

That said, she adds, the lack of added sugar on the ingredients list means it must come from the root vegetables themselves, which naturally have a high sugar content.

‘I think for this reason that other options on this list are healthier,’ said Ms Shafqat. 

2. Proper Chips Sea Salt Lentil Chips

In second place are these high protein lentil chips – which excel in every category bar one, say experts… 

£1.50 for 85g at Morrisons

UPF rating: GREEN

Salt: 0.37g ORANGE

Sugar: 0.2g GREEN

Energy per 20g: 96kcal

Like the chickpea Hummus crisps, these lentil crisps would likely appear in the healthier end of the crisp aisle. 

But unlike the hummus crisps, these genuinely don’t have any additives or UPF ingredients. 

‘The lentil crisps are relatively high in calories,’ said Ms Shafqat – ‘but their sugar content is low, making them a better option than the vegetable crisps.’ 

‘They also have 10g of protein – not surprising given that lentils are naturally high in protein – and added iron, which is relatively rare for processed food to contain.’ 

To make them even healthier? Add a nutritious dip like hummus, salsa or guacamole, says Ms Ludlam-Raine. 

‘That can help make crisps more of a satisfying, mindful snack rather than something you just eat mindlessly,’ she said.  

1. Kettle Lightly Salted Crisps

And the winner is…Kettle lightly salted. A simple classic – low in salt, sugar and with no artificial ingredients… 

£2.65 for five single packs at Tesco 

UPF rating: GREEN

Salt: 0.2g GREEN

Sugar: 0.1g GREEN

Energy per 25g: 129kcal

Finally, in nutritional first-place, somewhat surprisingly, are a simple classic – Kettle’s Lightly Salted Crisps. 

Both dieticians were pleasantly surprised by the crisp’s three ingredients – potatoes, oil, salt – as well as its relative lack of salt or sugar. 

These crisps are high in fat – having been fried in oil – so should be eaten in moderation, says Ms Shafqat, as with most tasty things. 

‘If you’re avoiding oil, look for crisps that are popped, not fried,’ she explained. 

‘But make sure these don’t have nasty additives to make them tastier to make up for it.’ 

Nutritionally, crisps are never going to be healthier than say, an apple. 

But if you do have the urge, stick to ready salted, or similarly simple flavours, say the experts.