Snack Review: Eating Right Cheddar Potato Crisps
It seems everyone’s on a health kick recently. Once upon a time, snacks could survive on tastiness alone. This is no longer always the case. Customers today want products that not only taste good, but are packed with nutrients as well - or, at the very least, as few calories and fat grams as possible.
Originally, “healthy” snacks were the domain of boutique shops and high-end grocery stores (Whole Foods, anyone?) Now, as companies release lesser-evil versions of old snacks, the signs of health-consciousness are popping up everywhere. Some grocery stores have even ventured into healthier territory with their own product lines.
Just under a year ago, Safeway/Vons launched its “Eating Right” line. Offering everything from salty snacks to frozen entrees, the brand promises on its packaging to “unite flavor and nutrition” through lighter versions of favorite products. Recently, I encountered Eating Right’s “Potato Crisps” for the first time, and decided to give them a try.
I was tempted by both the image on the package – the puffs reminded me of some very tasty rice snacks I’d tried long ago – and the nutrition stats on the back of the packaging. Safeway/Vons offers the Potato Crisps in four flavors: Cheddar, Barbeque, Salsa and Wasabi. After much internal debate, I chose the Cheddar variety.
The bag promised “light and crunchy potato snacks with a rich cheddar cheese flavor.” Spoiled by my experience with the aforementioned rice snacks, I had high expectations. Opening the bag revealed a plethora of bowl-shaped, silver dollar-sized puffs, each sporting its own coat of orange powder. The crisps smell mildly, and appetizingly, of cheese. I eagerly popped one into my mouth, immediately tasting… potato and salt. Maybe Eating Right’s other flavors, which all sound “spicier,” are more pronounced. In any case, the flavor isn’t what I expected, but I like it.
What I find most addictive about the Crisps, though, is their texture. Somehow, the potato crisps manage to be delicate with a firm crunch; light but substantial in the mouth. I’d describe the overall feel as shrimp chips crossbred with rice cakes.
I’ll probably buy Eating Right Potato Crisps again. They’re quite tasty, wonderfully textured, and as close to “healthy” as potato snacks come. I’d definitely recommend these to snackers who, like me, are prone to food-related guilt at times. One 28-piece serving of the crisps boasts a mere 110 calories and 1.5 grams of fat – far less than even “light” versions of Lays and Doritos. With only five servings in the entire family-sized bag, “overindulgence” is pretty much a non-issue… and at only $2.99 per bag, the crisps won’t likely damage your wallet any more than your waistline. Hooray for harmless snacks!
3 Comments
lisa on August 21st, 2008
I buy the Cheddar and the Barbecue. I love them.
rhholdridge on March 2nd, 2011
How can one purchase Eating Right chips on line, as our local Safeway stores no longer sell this product?
Bob Holdridge
I E on August 6th, 2008
They remind me off flavored rice cakes.