Crunching the Numbers on Late Night Chips

Reading the label, this Pico De Gallo option leans on black and navy beans mixed with rice, giving it a denser, heartier crunch than standard corn chips. The sea salt and spices come through with a savory, tomato-tinged finish. For a late-night desk session, the 4g sugar per 100g is modest, and the protein from beans may help you feel satisfied longer. However, the torula yeast and flavoring can read as 'processed' to purists, and the texture is noticeably grittier than pure corn. It's not a clean-ingredient chip, but it delivers big flavor without a sugar spike.

This tortilla chip lists stone-ground white corn and brown flaxseed, which adds a subtle nutty note and a slightly toothsome bite. The blend of sunflower, safflower, corn, and canola oils keeps it crisp, while tomato and onion powders give a gentle umami. At 3g sugar per 100g and a 9.7 score, it looks solid on paper. Toss a bag in your gym bag for post-workout noshing; the flaxseed may offer some fiber, but don't expect a huge amount. The trade-off is the oil blend—some folks prefer a single oil—and the flavor can feel a bit flat if you're craving bold heat.

With 0g sugar per 100g and a 9.9 score, this white corn tortilla chip keeps it simple: masa, water, oil, salt. The ingredient list includes cellulose gum for binding, which some label-readers prefer to skip, and the oil can vary from cottonseed to palm. The crunch is clean and snappy, and the salt level feels balanced. I'd keep a bag in the office drawer for afternoon grazing; it pairs well with salsa and may keep you from reaching for sweet snacks. The trade-off is the oil variety and palm oil for some, plus the texture can feel a bit plain without seasoning.

This blue corn chip lists organic blue corn and a seasoning blend with tomato powder, rice flour, and paprika, delivering a gentle heat and earthy corn flavor. Zero sugar per 100g and a 9.9 score are impressive. For a weekend game-night bowl, the crunch is sturdy and the spice is noticeable but not overpowering. The trade-off is the oil choice—expeller-pressed canola/safflower/sunflower—which some keto-focused eaters prefer to avoid, and the seasoning includes rice flour, adding a slight dusting that can feel dry. If you want heat without sugar, this is a strong pick, but the oil blend may be a con for strict fat purists.

This is a potato-based chip with sunflower/canola/corn/cottonseed oil, maltodextrin, sea salt, sugar, black pepper, onion, and garlic. Zero sugar per 100g and a 9.9 score look great, but maltodextrin is a starch that can impact blood sugar for some people, despite the zero-sugar label. The texture is thin and shatter-crisp, with a peppery-onion kick. For a road-trip snack, the crunch is satisfying and the seasoning clings well. The trade-off is the oil variety and the presence of maltodextrin, which may not fit strict low-carb or keto goals. If you want bold potato crunch, this works; if you avoid starches, skip it.