Are vegetable chips replace fresh foods? Understand how to consume

Dehydrated vegetable chips have gained space in feeding those looking for healthier alternatives to traditional snacks and other quick snacks. Crispy, practical and tasty, they promise the benefits of vegetables in an easier format to be taken anywhere. But are these products as nutritious as fresh foods?

Nutritionists heard by the report of CNN They explain that while vegetable chips are made from vegetables, making them healthier when compared to other types of snacks, the preparation process can compromise part of the nutrients.

This is because dehydration or frying, common in the production of these chips, reduce the amount of heat -sensitive vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin C and some B complex.

“Vegetable chips preserve some nutrients, such as fiber and minerals, but may lose part of heat -sensitive vitamins that are soluble in water. This is because the dehydration process involves high temperatures, which can degrade more unstable compounds,” explains Guilherme Lopes, the group’s nutritionist.

In addition, foods when they are in their natural consistency are rich in fiber, which help in the satiety and functioning of the intestine. However, during chip preparation, part of these fibers can be lost. And when these chips are industrialized, they usually have more fat and sodium than the natural version of foods.

“They can be consumed as a healthy snack, but it is important to observe the mode of preparation. The best option is to prepare them at home, baked or dehydrated, without excess oils,” Lopes reinforces.

An alternative for those who don’t like vegetables?

A study done in Brazil in 2023 shows that less than half of the Brazilian population (45.5%) consumes vegetables and vegetables five times or more a week. The age range that eats the most vegetables is the elders, 65 and over, with 45.5% consuming at the recommended weekly frequency. The least consuming are the youngest, from 18 to 24 – only 39.2% consume frequently.

For those people who have difficulty consuming vegetables due to their texture or taste, chips can be a more attractive alternative to include this group of foods in the diet. But, according to professionals, they do not completely replace fresh vegetables in nutritional terms.

For a balanced diet, experts recommend prioritizing fresh foods and using chips as a complement. “For those who do not like certain foods, chips can be a way to include them in food because they are more palatable. So he can start with chips and then try to include fresh food in food,” adds Aline Flores, nutritionist.

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Has this content originally published in vegetable chips to replace fresh foods? Understand how to consume on the CNN Brazil website.

Source: CNN Brasil

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