Protein Chips, explained
Protein Chips are popped savoury crisps made mainly from pea protein and lentil flour, with 11 to 12g of protein in a 30g pack. People use them as a higher-protein swap for an ordinary bag of crisps.
From Herbalife, tap to play
What Protein Chips is
Each box holds ten 30g packs, and one pack is one serving. Barbecue has 11g of protein a pack and Sour Cream and Onion has 12g.
The chips are popped with heat instead of fried. Herbalife says this gives them 50% less fat than fried potato chips, and a pack has 4 to 5g of fat.
The Protein Bar is the sweet snack in the range, with 10g of milk protein and a milk chocolate coating. Protein Chips are the savoury one, and both flavours are gluten-free.
What's in it, ingredient by ingredient
Pea protein isolate (40% Barbecue, 41% Sour Cream and Onion)
About 12g of isolate in each 30g packPeas are pulses, the edible seeds that grow in pods. An isolate is the protein part of the pea separated from most of its starch and fibre, so it is far richer in protein than whole peas.
About two fifths of every pack is pea protein isolate. That is why the chips are 38 to 39% protein by weight.
Why it's in Protein Chips: It is the main protein source and gives each pack its 11 or 12g of protein.
Protein contributes to a growth in muscle mass. Protein contributes to the maintenance of muscle mass.
Protein provides about a third of each pack's calories, which is why the chips can be called high in protein.
Lentil flour
Lentil flour is dried lentils ground to a powder. Lentils are another pulse, and 100g of boiled green lentils gives about 8.8g of protein.
Combining pea and lentil adds a second pulse to the base. Dietitians note that plant foods carry all nine essential amino acids, and that eating a variety covers your needs.
Why it's in Protein Chips: It forms part of the pea base that is popped into a crisp, and it adds protein and texture.
Potato starch and corn flour
Potato starch is the starch taken from potatoes, and corn flour is finely ground maize. Together with the pea protein and lentil flour, they make up the base that is popped with heat.
Why it's in Protein Chips: They complete the pea base and give the chips their crunch.
Herbalife labels both flavours gluten-free, which means they contain no more than 20mg of gluten per kg.
Vegetable oils (sunflower, canola)
4g of fat per Barbecue pack, 5g per Sour Cream and Onion packSunflower and canola oils are liquid plant oils, mostly unsaturated fat. The NHS lists sunflower and rapeseed oils as healthier choices than saturated fats such as butter.
Per 100g the chips have 15g of fat, which sits in the medium band on NHS label guidance. Saturated fat is low, at 0.4g a pack.
Why it's in Protein Chips: Herbalife lists sunflower and canola oils among the ingredients, in varying proportions.
Herbalife says popping instead of frying gives 50% less fat than fried potato chips.
Seasoning
The Barbecue seasoning uses sugar, salt, tomato powder, yeast extract, paprika, onion, smoke flavouring and herbs and spices, coloured with paprika extract.
The Sour Cream and Onion seasoning uses onion powder, whey powder, sour cream powder and cheese powder, so it contains milk. That is why it suits vegetarians but not vegans.
Why it's in Protein Chips: It gives each flavour its taste, and it is where most of the salt comes from.
Per 100g the chips are high in salt by NHS label guidance, at 3.2g for Barbecue and 2.6g for Sour Cream and Onion. A 30g pack gives 1.0g or 0.8g, about a sixth of the 6g daily limit or less.
Rosemary extract
Rosemary extract comes from the leaves of the rosemary herb. Here it is used as an antioxidant, which in food labelling means an ingredient that slows oils from going stale.
Why it's in Protein Chips: It protects the sunflower and canola oils so the chips keep their flavour in the pack.
That is the whole list. The pea base, oils, seasoning and rosemary extract make up every ingredient in both flavours.
Reading the label
Per 30g pack, which is one serving
- Energy: 134 kcal Barbecue, 135 kcal Sour Cream and Onion. Under 7% of the 2,000 kcal reference intake for an average adult.
- Protein: 11g Barbecue, 12g Sour Cream and Onion. About a fifth of the 55.5g a day suggested for men aged 19 to 64, or a quarter of the 45g suggested for women.
- Fat: 4g Barbecue, 5g Sour Cream and Onion. Saturated fat is only 0.4g in either flavour.
- Sugars: 1.3g Barbecue, 0.9g Sour Cream and Onion. That is a small amount of sugar for a 30g pack.
- Fibre: 1.1g Barbecue, 1.0g Sour Cream and Onion. A small contribution to the 30g a day adults are advised to eat.
- Salt: 1.0g Barbecue, 0.8g Sour Cream and Onion. A sixth or less of the 6g a day adults should stay under, so count it alongside the rest of your food.
Each panel shows per 100g and per 30g pack. The per 100g column lets you compare with other snacks, while the per pack column is what you actually eat.
The two flavours differ slightly, so check the panel for the one you buy.
Pick a flavour
Barbecue
Sour Cream and OnionHow to use it
Open and eat
Eat them straight from the pack. There is nothing to prepare.
One pack is one serving, and a box holds ten. Herbalife suggests them as a grab-and-go snack, such as with a film or during a working day.
Store the box in a cool, dry place.
Good to know
Who it suits
- Barbecue is suitable for vegans.
- Sour Cream and Onion is suitable for vegetarians.
- Both flavours are gluten-free.
Check first
- Sour Cream and Onion contains milk, so avoid it if you have a milk allergy.
- Both flavours may contain soybeans, so check with your GP or dietitian if you have a soy allergy.
- If you are watching your salt, count the 0.8 to 1.0g in each pack.
Questions people ask
Are they fried?
No. They are popped with heat, which Herbalife says gives 50% less fat than fried potato chips. A pack has 4 to 5g of fat.
Where does the protein come from?
Mainly from pea protein isolate, which is about two fifths of the pack. Lentil flour adds a little more.
Are they vegan?
Barbecue is vegan. Sour Cream and Onion contains milk from its seasoning, so it is vegetarian but not vegan.
Are they gluten-free?
Yes, both flavours are labelled gluten-free. That means they contain no more than 20mg of gluten per kg.
Are they salty?
Per 100g they count as high in salt on NHS label guidance. A single 30g pack has 0.8 to 1.0g, which is a sixth or less of the 6g adult limit.
How do they compare with the Protein Bar?
The Protein Bar is a sweet snack with 10g of protein. The chips are savoury, with 11 to 12g of plant protein a pack.
Where these facts come from
- fs_141k: Herbalife product information and label
- fs_142k: Herbalife product information and label
- label_141k: Herbalife product information and label
- label_142k: Herbalife product information and label
- matrix: Herbalife product information and label
- fs_3968: Herbalife product information and label
- bda_protein_sources: bda.uk.com/static/61ad81e4-ea30-41d3-a03717a2467754d9/Practical-guide-
- bda_protein_considerations: bda.uk.com/static/e659bcdb-221d-4490-a21ccbb0aad5ecd0/Practical-guide-
- ods_exercise: ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/ExerciseAndAthleticPerformance-HealthProfess
- nhs_vegetarian: nhs.uk/live-well/eat-well/how-to-eat-a-balanced-diet/the-vegetarian-di
- nhs_fibre: nhs.uk/live-well/eat-well/digestive-health/how-to-get-more-fibre-into-
- nhs_sugar: nhs.uk/live-well/eat-well/food-types/how-does-sugar-in-our-diet-affect
- nhs_salt: nhs.uk/live-well/eat-well/food-types/salt-nutrition/
- nhs_labels: nhs.uk/live-well/eat-well/food-guidelines-and-food-labels/how-to-read-
- fsa_glutenfree: food.gov.uk/business-guidance/food-allergen-labelling-technical-guidan
- reg_claims_annex: legislation.gov.uk/eur/2006/1924/annex
- reg_nrv_15: legislation.gov.uk/eur/2011/1169/annex/XIII
- gb_claims_register: gov.uk/government/publications/great-britain-nutrition-and-health-clai
- nhs_vegetarian_fats: nhs.uk/live-well/eat-well/how-to-eat-a-balanced-diet/the-vegetarian-di
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