Are Lay's Potato Chips Bad For You?
Short answer
Processed junk food, like Lay's chips, is bad for you. The risks and side effects are not worth it.
Recommended Alternative
Category 'F' is for things that fail to bring anything beneficial to the table, and are very harmful to your health. We recommend completely avoiding anything in this category. Long-term side effects of 'F' items are usually very serious.
View Full Grading System
Category 'A'
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Side effects are rare. Things rated an 'A+' are typically necessary for survival (for example, water).
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. A few harmful qualities may be associated, but only under certain circumstances such as an allergic reaction.
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Harmful qualities may be associated, but aren't usually serious.
It is important to note that even the best things in life can become bad in immoderate amounts. So, although something may be rated an 'A+', overconsumption/overdoing can bring unwanted effects.
Category 'B'
Very beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B+' may have a few harmful qualities to pay attention to.
Overall beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B' may have some harmful qualities to pay attention to.
More beneficial to your health than not. However, harmful qualities are most likely associated and shouldn't be overlooked.
The main difference between category 'A' and category 'B' is the harmful qualities typically present in 'B' items. Serious side effects are usually uncommon, but are still possible and should be taken note of.
Category 'C'
Both beneficial and harmful qualities associated. Things rated a 'C+' are typically a bit more on the beneficial side. Still, moderation is important.
A fairly even ratio of beneficial and harmful qualities. Moderation is important. Very general topics that can lean towards both sides of the spectrum will be placed here as well. Rice, for example, can be good or bad depending on the type.
More harmful than beneficial. Side effects are common, especially when consumed/done excessively. Moderation is very important.
Category 'C' usually denotes to both good and bad qualities. When it comes to this category, it is important to keep this word in mind: moderation.
Category 'D'
Harmful to your health. Although benefits may be associated, the bad most likely outweighs the good. Moderation is very important.
Harmful to your health. A few benefits may be associated, but the bad outweighs the good. Moderation is extremely important.
Harmful to your health. Very few, if any, benefits are present. Things in this category should be avoided as much as possible.
Category 'D' is typically for things that are more harmful than beneficial. While consuming/doing something unhealthy once in a blue moon shouldn't hurt, we definitely recommend eliminating 'D' items as a regular part of your routine/diet.
Category 'F'
Category 'F' is for things that fail to bring anything beneficial to the table, and are very harmful to your health. We recommend completely avoiding anything in this category. Long-term side effects of 'F' items are usually very serious.
Category 'N'
'N' stands for neutral. Things placed into this category are generally (a) neither good nor bad for you, or (b) lack the necessary evidence to reach any conclusions.
Long answer
Potato chips are a popular salty and crunchy snack that many enjoy alongside a sandwich or just as something to munch on with dip. However, do not make eating Lay's chips a habit because it could severely impact your overall health.
Junk food in strict moderation is not too hazardous, but a constant consumption can lead to an excess of unhealthy ingredients and an insufficient intake of vitamins and minerals. Because potato chips can become addicting and the serving size we actually eat is usually doubled or tripled, some find it best to stay away from chips like Lay's altogether.
Although Lay's has a “low sodium” version of their chips, most contain an overabundance of salt. A diet consisting of too much salt can lead to high blood pressure and kidney disease. Even just one serving of Lay's chips is recognized as high in calories and high in fat by the FDA. Loading ourselves with calories and fat causes weight gain and puts us at risk for other diseases. Unhealthy deep fried chips cause digestive problems and stress on the body’s metabolism making it harder to produce insulin, which in turn leads to (or significantly increases the risk of) type 2 diabetes.
Lay's has many varieties of chip flavors like “Classic BLT”, “Barbecue” and “Sour Cream and Onion”. The ingredients list for these chips is a mile long! Although Lay's has begun to use more “natural flavorings” in their recipes, these flavorings consist of what they call “bacon type flavor” and “lettuce type flavor” which of course are all produced in a lab. The ambiguity of these ingredients gives us little faith that Lay's are actually a healthy snack.
What about Lay's “Baked” potato chips? These are marketed as being a lot healthier than the original chips. When we examine the label we read that the baked version contains additional ingredients such as corn starch, corn oil, and soy lecithin. Since it is not specified that they are organic, there is a high chance that they are genetically modified (GMO) ingredients. Also added is sugar and corn sugar (high fructose corn syrup) which have been shown in studies to increase the risk of obesity, liver damage, and metabolic syndrome. Scientists also discovered that about half of commercial high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) was contaminated with mercury.
Possible short-term side effects
- overeating
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break-outs
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digestive issues
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weight gain
Possible long-term side effects
- high blood pressure
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kidney disease
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chronic digestive problems
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type 2 diabetes
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depression
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obesity
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liver damage
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metabolic syndrome
Ingredients to be aware of
Our Wellness Pick
(what is this?)
Bare Apple Chips
- Gluten-free snack
- Baked, not fried
- Multi-serving bags
- Natural Granny Smith apples
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Thank you for your feedback!
Written by DeeAnne Oldham
Published on: 04-11-2016
Last updated: 12-15-2023
Thank you for your feedback!
Written by DeeAnne Oldham
Published on: 04-11-2016
Last updated: 12-15-2023
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