Pick the Right Chips – Eat Less Chemicals

Most people love chips, whether they are potato or corn or veggie chips, we just love the crunchy and crispy texture and the yummy flavours. But when you pick your favorite chips, do you just pick by flavour and brand? Have you ever take note of their ingredients? Are you eating chemicals without noticing?

I did a quick look around in a nearby supermarket and discovered that more than 90% of the chips I found have some kind of chemicals to enhance flavour or to stabilize the product. I have posted a few examples in my post here and you might find your favorite kind in my photos below.

In Hong Kong, our government have regulated that all food with chemicals must be listed in the ingredients, with the format of “E number”. E numbers are codes for substances that are permitted to be used as food additives for use within the European Union and European Free Trade Association (EFTA). The “E” stands for “Europe”. Commonly found on food labels.

Chips with Chemicals

Here are a few products (among many more) that I found with E numbers in the ingredients.

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Chips withOUT Chemicals

And here are ALL that I can find in that particular supermarket withOUT any E numbers in the ingredients.

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Shopping Smart!!

Next time when you buy chips or, in fact, when you buy any processed and packaged food, such as cakes, bread, biscuits, peanut butter, jam, chocolate and candies etc, be sure to turn to the back of the packing and study their ingredient list.  I know to avoid all chemicals might be impossible but at least you can try to pick one with less.  Good luck in your searching.  Do share with me any tips you have regarding this topic.

To read more:

See my other posts about Healthy food on this topic.

And similar topic about Drink less plastic.