Tortilla chips are one of the popular snack food of America. These are fried or baked version of the corn tortillas and are relished mostly by people of all ages. Over the years, these chips have become a typical appetizer in Tex-Mex and Mexican cuisine in different parts of the world. The corn tortillas make use of corn flour, vegetable oil, salt and water. Usually triangular shaped wedges are cut out of these corn tortillas, which are then fried or baked. These chips are generally served with yummy dips.
Yellow corn is the most usual ingredient that is used to make tortilla chips. However, there are many manufacturers who also utilize red, white and blue corn as well including many other ingredients like wheat, sugar and MSG to give a different flavor to their product. These chips are also seasoned with various spices and herbs instead of eating them with only cheese dips.
As corn is the main ingredient of tortilla chips, these snacks come under the category of healthy foods that are rich in fiber and other mineral and vitamin content. A total of 138 calories is included in a single serving of tortilla chips. Carbohydrates contribute 76 calories, 8 calories are added by the proteins, whereas the remaining 54 calories are provided by fats. This 1 Oz. of tortilla chips include 1g of simple sugars, 18g of carbohydrates and 2g of dietary fiber. This serving also include 2g of protein content contributing to 4 percent of the daily requirement of protein and 6.6g of fat out of which 0.7 g is saturated fat.
A single serving of tortilla chips includes 5 percent of the recommended dietary allowances (RDA) for calcium while this amount of tortilla chips contributes to 6 percent of Vitamin E and 7 percent of Vitamin K of total RDA. One serving of tortilla chips also consists of essential mineral contents including 9 percent of phosphorus, 7 percent of magnesium and 6 percent of selenium out of the daily requirements of these minerals. Approximately 118 mg of sodium is also contained in the single serving of tortilla chips.
The nutritional value of these chips can be increased when you eat them with nutritious, low fat and low calorie dips and sauces. You can find frozen forms of such dips in various stores. And instead of fried corn tortilla chips go with baked ones as these have fewer calories and less fats.
