As of Aug 2026, Unbox Health has lab tested and rated 8 products in the Chips & Puffs category.
We buy every product from the open market, with no brand involvement. Every product is tested at up to 3 NABL-accredited labs. Products are then rated D to A+, based on the following dimensions: their label accuracy, their toxicity and their nutritional profile (in the case of food products). All lab reports are published.
Read the full methodology for how we rate Chips & Puffs here.
Protein chips can be a better option than regular fried chips, but whether they are healthy depends on the full label, not just the protein number. Many still carry high sodium, often 700mg or more per 100g, along with refined oils. Treat them as an occasional upgrade rather than a health food, and check protein, sodium and oil type before assuming they are genuinely better.
Baked chips usually contain less fat than fried chips, but the gap is smaller than marketing suggests. Baking often raises carbohydrate and starch content, and some baked products add sugar or extra salt to improve taste. Both remain processed snacks best eaten in moderation. Read the nutrition panel and compare fat, sodium and fibre per 100g rather than relying on the word "baked".
Multigrain chips can offer more fibre and protein than plain potato chips, but the grains are only part of the picture. The oil used, the sodium level and the degree of processing matter just as much. A multigrain label does not guarantee a clean product. Compare fibre and sodium per 100g, and check that whole grains appear high in the ingredient list before buying.
Daily chips are not advisable for most people, since packaged chips are calorie-dense and often high in sodium and refined oils. A single 100g serving can deliver a large share of the day's sodium, which ICMR-NIN advises keeping below 2000mg. Occasional portions of 25 to 30g fit better into a balanced diet. Pair smaller portions with whole foods instead of snacking straight from large packs.
Chips are best treated as an occasional treat for children, not a daily snack. Most packaged options are high in salt and refined oil and low in the protein, fibre and micronutrients growing kids need. Frequent salty snacking can crowd out more nourishing foods. For everyday snacking, fruit, nuts or roasted chana work better. If buying packaged chips, choose lower-sodium, baked or millet-based variants.
Yes, most packaged chips are high in salt, with many products listing 600mg to over 1000mg of sodium per 100g. ICMR-NIN advises keeping total daily sodium under 2000mg, so one large pack can use up much of that limit. High sodium intake is associated with raised blood pressure over time. Check the sodium value per 100g, not just per serving, before buying.
Not always, because the protein figure on the pack is a label claim, not a guaranteed tested value. Protein in chips usually comes from added grains, pulses or protein isolates, and actual content can vary between batches. The only reliable way to confirm it is independent testing. Unbox Health independently tests protein chips through NABL-accredited labs to verify whether the actual protein content matches the label claim.
Start with the ingredient list and the per 100g nutrition panel. Look for palm oil or palmolein, which add unhealthy saturated fats. Check total fat, sodium, fibre, and whether sugar or refined flour appears early. Be cautious with vague marketing terms. Before buying, check Unbox Health's lab-tested data to confirm if the label matches the actual tested content.
Most oils and additives in packaged chips are permitted under FSSAI rules, including palm oil and approved flavour enhancers, when used within limits. FSSAI also caps industrial trans fat at 2% of total oils and fats. Risk rises mainly when oil is poor quality or reused. Unbox Health independently tests chips through NABL-accredited labs to verify whether oil quality and contaminant levels meet FSSAI safety limits.
There is no single healthiest chip, but better options tend to be lower in sodium and saturated fat, baked or millet-based, and made with more stable oils. Avoid choosing on front-of-pack claims alone, since "multigrain" or "protein" does not guarantee quality. Use Unbox Health's independent lab-tested data to compare sodium, fat and label accuracy across chip brands before buying the one that fits your needs.