Homemade chips and dip save calories and your waistline

November 5, 12:54 PMOrlando Diets ExaminerJulie Bream

Previous Next

Comment Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the Orlando Diets Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

Cinnamon-Sugar Baked Lavash Chips

Julie Bream http://peanutbutterfingers.wordpress.com/

Americans love chips and dip. Go to a Super Bowl party and it’s practically a guarantee that chips and salsa, queso, French onion or spinach dip will be served.

A small one-ounce handful of chips contain around 150 calories. That may not seem like a lot until the calories begin adding up, as most people do not stop after the fifteenth tiny potato chip is devoured.

Add in some mayonnaise-based dip and calories may as much as double.

To save calories and still enjoy this American favorite, consider making chips and dip at home. Homemade chips may be baked rather than fried which can eliminate added calories and fat.

Here are tips for making healthy homemade chips and dip:

• Cut up lavash or pita bread into smaller “chips” and place on a cookie sheet sprayed with cooking spray. Lightly spray the chips and season with salt or dust with cinnamon and sugar. Bake at 350 degrees for approximately seven minutes.
• Use plain low-fat or Greek yogurt in place of mayonnaise in dips.
• Serve chips with salsa or fruit blended with cottage cheese or yogurt.
• Replace chips with sliced cucumbers.
• Thinly slice zucchini or squash, salt and bake to create veggie chips.
• Slice a peeled potato and place on a cookie sheet lined with foil and sprayed with cooking spray. Spray the tops of the potato and sprinkle lightly with salt. Bake at 375 degrees for approximately 25 minutes, flipping halfway through.