Clean Eating Wheat Tortilla Chips Recipe | The Gracious Pantry (2024)

FAQs

Are tortilla chips whole wheat? ›

No, corn tortillas are not considered whole grain because of the way the corn is processed before being made into tortillas. The corn is soaked in an alkaline solution to dissolve the outer layer (the bran) off the kernels before they are ground into masa (freshly ground and moist) or masa harina (dried powder).

Most tortilla chips are free of gluten. Most often, crushed corn, which is inherently gluten-free, is used to make tortilla chips. One can produce these chips using white, yellow, or blue corn. Other products, however, could combine corn and wheat flour, making them not gluten-free.

A tortilla chip is a snack food made from corn tortillas, which are cut into triangles and then fried or baked (alternatively they may be discs pressed out of corn masa then fried or baked). Corn tortillas are made of nixtamalized corn, vegetable oil, salt and water.

As long as you don't eat too much, they can be incorporated into a healthy eating plan. When you're picking tortilla chips at the store, just watch out for sodium and trans fat ingredients.

Whole grains provide a good source of fiber, B vitamins and iron. They may also reduce the risk of heart disease and diabetes and are linked to lower body weight. Note: Even if a whole grain is the first ingredient in a product, the product may still contain refined grains and not be a 100 percent whole grain product.

Whole-Wheat Tortillas

These tortillas have more fiber than white flour ones but have a similar mouthfeel. Still, they are similar to flour tortillas in sodium and processed ingredients. Choosing a smaller-sized whole-wheat (or flour) tortilla can keep sodium and calories in check.

For a healthy meal, have one whole-wheat wrap or tortilla filled with plenty of vegetables and some beans or chicken for protein. Then, if you're still hungry, add an extra salad or raw vegetables on the side. Give whole-wheat tortillas a try in this Turkey Fajitas with Baby Spinach and Red Peppers recipe.

Popcorn is made from corn, which doesn't contain gluten. In fact, corn is often recommended as a safe alternative to wheat for those with celiac disease, and most people who cannot tolerate gluten can safely enjoy corn products ( 2 ).

The simple answer is yes — potatoes are gluten-free. Gluten is a type of protein found in wheat, rye, barley, and other grains. Potatoes aren't grains, they're a type of starchy vegetable. That's good news for people who can't tolerate gluten because they have celiac disease or gluten intolerance.

Yes, all rice (in its natural form) is gluten-free. Rice is one of the most popular gluten-free grains for people with celiac disease. Many gluten-free packaged goods are made with rice flour instead of wheat flour. Although rice is naturally gluten-free, there are some instances where it may not be gluten-free.

Which is healthier tortilla chips or potato chips? ›

Potato chips get a bad start with 15 more calories per serving than tortilla chips. Both chips have little to offer when it comes to protein and fiber—so that's a draw. But fats make things interesting: While tortilla chips have less saturated fat than potato chips, they also have almost 10 times the trans fat.

Totopos/tortilla chips are used in various ways in Mexico: salted as snacks, cooked as chilaquiles, and, of course, served as mouth-watering nachos.

Alicia Romano, National Media Spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and registered dietitian at Tufts Medical Center, says no. “There really is not a tremendous difference nutritionally between standard potato chips and tortilla chips,” she explains.

She adds that blue corn tortilla chips are slightly healthier than both potato and regular tortilla chips because they contain antioxidants from the blue corn, but the frying process may damage some of these benefits.

But fats make things interesting: While tortilla chips have less saturated fat than potato chips, they also have almost 10 times the trans fat. Sure, a serving only has 0.2 grams of trans fat, but those little amounts add up quickly when the WHO daily recommended limit is only 2 g per day.

If you're looking for the healthier option, corn tortillas outshine their flour alternative. Corn tortillas deliver fiber, whole grains, and other nutrients while being lower in fat and calories than flour tortillas.

Yellow Corn: Yellow corn is a good source of dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals. It contains a significant amount of lutein and zeaxanthin, antioxidants that promote eye health.