From Walkers to Pringles - which crisps are the healthiest?

But we are always being told that crisps aren't good for us. 

For example, dietitian and the founder of Dietetically Speaking, Maeve Hanan told The Telegraph that crisps can contain high levels of things like salt and saturated fat which have been linked to negative health outcomes such as obesity, cancer and heart disease.

The Telegraph said: "They’re cheap, they’re tasty and they’re easy to eat on-the-go. It’s no surprise then that the average Briton devours 66 grams, or just over two bags, a week.

"Delicious and convenient as they are, we are constantly being made to feel guilty for eating them: too processed, too much salt, too high in fat."

Discontinued UK sweets and chocolates

But it's not all negative when it comes to crisps, the news outlet continues: "On the upside, crisps contain energy in the form of carbohydrates, which fuels our body, and a small amount of fibre. And let’s not forget how delicious they are."

Crisps manufacturers all over the world are taking advantage of this "crisp guilt" and launching "healthy" alternatives.

The Telegraph has conducted a study, testing some of the "old favourites" and some of the "healthy" alternatives to see exactly which crisps are the healthiest.

Which crisps are the healthiest?

Walkers Cheese & Onion Crisps

Taste: 4/5

Health: 2/5

Nutrition per 100g (pack size 25g): 514 kcals, fat 29g (of which saturates 2.4g), carbs 54g (of which sugar 2.6g), protein 6.3g, fibre 3.8g, salt 1.2g.

The Telegraph said: "You have to hand it to Walkers, whether it’s simply nostalgia or the 76 years they’ve been making crisps, this is the ultimate cheese and onion crisp, perfect thickness, not overly seasoned and extremely moreish."

The news outlet added despite being "perhaps a little high in fat and salt" and it being an ultra-processed food (UPF) there was nothing too alarming health wise about Walkers Cheese and Onion Crisps and they were fine to consume as an "occasional" snack.

Walkers Crisps are responsible for a range of products including Wotsits, Quavers, Monster Munch, Squares and Bugles. (Image: Mark Mackenzie/PepsiCo)

Quavers

Taste: 1/5

Health: 1/5

Nutrition per 100g (pack size 16g): 536 kcals, fat 30.8g (of which saturates 2.7g), carbs 62.1g (of which sugar 2.7g), protein 2.5g, fibre 1.2g, salt 2.1g.

The Telegraph's Sam Rice, commenting on his Quavers experience, said: "Having not had a quaver for about 30 years, I was taken aback by how artificial the cheese flavour was, with a strangely sweet, lingering aftertaste. Unpleasant."

The Walkers snack didn't fare much better in the health department either, with the crisp lowest for protein, second lowest in fibre and second highest in salt (out of those tested).

Doritos Tangy Cheese

Taste: 2/5

Health: 2/5

Nutrition per 100g (serving size 30g): 505 kcals, fat 26g (of which saturates 2.4g), carbs 58g (of which sugar 2.7g), protein 6.5g, fibre 5.7g,  salt 1.2g.

The Telegraph said Doritos Tangy Cheese crisps contained far too much seasoning. (Image: Mark Mackenzie/PepsiCo)

Mr Rice said there was "far too much seasoning" on the Doritos tortilla chip and it was "reminiscent of smelly socks and not tangy at all".

The Telegraph writer added: "A long list of unappetising ingredients means we are again in UPF territory, but these Doritos are surprisingly high in fibre and not as high in salt as you might imagine."

Pringles Salt & Vinegar 

Taste: 2/5

Health: 2/5

Nutrition per 100g (serving size 30g): 514 kcals, fat 29g (of which saturates 6.3g), carbs 56g (of which sugar 2.5g), protein 5.7g, fibre 3.3g,  salt 1.9g.

The "nuclear" salt and vinegar flavour from the Pringles crisps was described by The Telegraph as "overpowering".

These crisps were UPF and at the higher end of the scale when it came to saturated fat and salt.

Mr Rice concluded: "Very little to recommend them nutritionally."

Hula Hoops Original

Taste: 4/5

Health: 3/5

Nutrition per 100g (serving size 24g): 499 kcals, fat 25g (of which saturates 2.2g), carbs 65g (of which sugar <0.5g), protein 3.1g, fibre 2.6g, salt 1.4g.

Hula Hoops were one of the lowest in sugar from the crisps tested and only had the six ingredients.

Mr Rice added: "There’s something about the ratio of hula to hoop that’s just perfect, and the simple light salting is what makes these a true crisp classic."

Kettle Chips Lightly Salted

Taste: 5/5

Health: 4/5

Nutrition per 100g (serving size 25g): 516 kcals, fat 29.5g (of which saturates 2.0g), carbs 53.7g (of which sugar 0.4g), protein 6.5g, fibre 5.0g, salt 0.7g.

The Telegraph writer said the Kettle Lightly Salted crisps were his favourite. 

Mr Rice commented: "A ‘fresh-from-the-fryer’ taste, enough salt to season without making you pucker, and perfectly crisp. 

He continued: "As they proudly state on the packet, these crisps contain ‘absolutely nothing artificial’, just potatoes, vegetable oil and sea salt.

"They were the lowest in sugar and salt, better than average for protein and fibre but just a little high in saturated fat. Nonetheless my new go-to crisp."

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Popchips Sour Cream & Onion 

Taste: 3/5

Health: 2/5

Nutrition per 100g (serving size 23g): 432 kcals, fat 13g (of which saturates 1.7g), carbs 69g (of which sugar 4.4g), protein 6.7g, fibre 4.8g, salt 1.1g.

Taste wise the Popchips Sour Cream & Onion crisps were described as "underwhelming" by The Telegraph and "don’t quite live up to the hype".

Also, while they had the lowest fat content, they had the second highest sugar content.

Proper Chips Barbecue Lentil Chips

Taste: 2/5

Health: 3/5

Nutrition per 100g (serving size 20g): 469 kcals, fat 19.4g (of which saturates 2.9g), carbs 63.6g (of which sugar 4.5g), protein 9.5g, fibre 0.9g, salt 2.55g.

Proper Chips Barbecue Lentil Chips come with "no nasties" when it comes to ingredients, The Telegraph said, but recorded the highest salt and lowest fibre levels out of all the crisps tested.

When it came to flavour, Mr Rice added: "I liked the tangy barbecue flavour here, not too sweet, but the crisps had a strange puffed tortilla texture which left a ‘pasty’ coating in the mouth."

Tyrrells Sea Salted Veg Crisps

Taste: 4/5

Health: 3/5

Nutrition per 100g (serving size 30g): 540 kcals, fat 37.9g (of which saturates 4.0g), carbs 40.6g (of which sugar 23.6g), protein 4.8g, fibre 9.0g, salt 1.1g

Tyrrells Sea Salted Veg Crisps are the highest in sugar due to the natural sugars from the vegetables. By there is no added sugar. 

They also had the highest fibre content.

Off the Eaten Path Caramelised Onion & Balsamic Vinegar Pea & Bean Sticks

Taste: 4/5

Health: 4/5

Nutrition per 100g (serving size 30g): 448 kcals, fat 17.2g (of which saturates 1.8g), carbs 59.1g (of which sugar 4.2g), protein 9.6g, fibre 9.1g, salt 2.0g.

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The Telegraph said these crisps were "reminiscent of Wheat Crunchies in shape and texture".

Health wise there was nothing "too suspect" in the ingredients and they are low in fat, contain lots of fibre and were the highest in protein from those tested.

Although they were a little higher in salt than others.