Product Review: Natural Ruffles Sea Salted Reduced Fat Potato Chips

Potato chips are one of my greatest weaknesses. While most women are craving chocolate, I crave salty, crispy, potatoey deliciousness. Among potato chips, my favorite for as long as I can remember has been Ruffles. Sadly, when I decided to turn over a new leaf and live a healthier lifestyle, Ruffles potato chips and other such snacks had to go. When I saw Sea Salted Reduced Fat Ruffles, part of their "Natural" line, at the grocery store, I decided I had to give them a try.

The Natural Ruffles Sea Salted Reduced Fat potato chips have no preservatives, no artificial flavors and no artificial colors. They also have less fat than regular potato chips, with only seven grams instead of 10 per one-ounce serving (about 15 chips) with no trans fat and only 0.5 gram of saturated fat. They have 140 calories instead of 160 and 17 grams of carbohydrates, one gram of which is fiber.

These potato chips are simply made, with only potatoes, expeller-pressed sunflower oil and sea salt in the ingredient list. While they are not quite healthy enough to add to a dieter's daily menu, they are certainly better for you than eating regular potato chips when you just have to get your fix. You can also feel better about feeding them to your family, since they are all-natural.

In the past, reduced-fat foods were a poor compromise for the real thing. The taste and texture were lacking, and you had to wonder if it was worth eating them at all. Some versions left an odd-feeling and tasting coating of grease in your mouth and sent you running to the bathroom if you ate too many.

However, these products are getting better all the time, and Natural Ruffles Sea Salted Reduced Fat potato chips are so good, you hardly notice the difference between them and regular potato chips. In some ways, they are actually better, because they are less greasy than their full-fat cousins. They stand up well to dipping, too.

The biggest problem with these chips is that you may not be able to stop at the 15 chips in the stated serving size. I find them so addicting that I would eat the whole bag if someone didn't take them away from me, so I don't buy them very often. However, given the fact that The Natural Ruffles Sea Salted Reduced Fat potato chips are healthier than regular potato chips, I highly recommend them as an occasional snack.