My weakness is potato crisps/chips - serious serious weakness.. I know that i need to cut them out above everything else.. so was wondering what a healthier alternative IS to potato crisps/chips??

I used to make my own at home with no oil. I sliced either a potato or a yam very thin and left the skin own. I placed them on a cookie sheet (sprayed it with nonstick calorie free spray). I then sprinkled with salt, paprika, garlic powder...whatever I liked....and baked until a little browned. It's delish!

Ditto. Slice thin, bake. I line the baking sheet with aluminum foil instead of using non-stick spray and the chips peel off.

baby carrots in dip.

lower fat potato chips

just eating less potato chips?

I eat pork rinds when I'm doing my low carb phase.

Ha! If only!!! For me, once the bag is open, all bets are off. Even if I manage to put the chips away, I'll still eat more of other stuff. Best to just keep them away!

I second the carrots with dip - I make mine with fat free sour cream. I like Pirate's Booty too. It's sort of like a Cheeto. Apples sliced up thin give me the same feeling as eating potato chips. Chocolate Cheerios are good too.

Some foods are just so "more-ish" that I have to skip them entirely for right now or else I'll get started on them and not stop. Chips and snack crackers are the prime offenders. Unfortunately, some of the substitute foods I've tried only make me want the real thing. I'm left suffering through a craving worse than the one I was trying to assuage in the first place sometimes.

Finding lower-calorie, lower-fat alternatives is a good step, but you may also have success with "cold turkey"; that way you aren't going to be tasting something that's close enough to awaken a craving, but not close enough to satisfy it fully.

Everyone's tastes are different, though, and you might not have that reaction.

Potato chips are a binge trigger food for me. I even tried the low fat variety with Olestra but because they are a trigger food, I ate the whole bag. Not a good idea. Not a good idea the next day too!

I tried baked chips but they still triggered me. I tried baked Cheetos and that I can handle without getting triggered and the serving size is generous for 130 calories (4 WW points). Not exactly healthy alternative but it is calorie conscious. I have them every now and then to stop the thoughts of deprivation.

Otherwise, I second the baby carrots - fresh, cold, and crisp. Also sliced sweet bell peppers with hummus dip (the garlicky the better).

I've had home baked garlic pita chips with hummus, too.

LOL, I understand, I love eating chips but rarely buy them. When I do, I buy the kids size lunch bags. Some of those are only 150 calories...although you have to watch out, because they are growing bigger and bigger. I got one of cheetos the other day that I thought was a small bag, and it was a super big grab sized "individual" bag according to the package. Who gives those to their kids? Hahaha, probably noone, but really?

Popcorn is another good alternative because it's salty and crunchy, although I am not sure it's as popular in NZ as it is here. I make it myself on the stove, but you can also buy an air popper or make it in the microwave by putting a few tablespoons of popcorn kernals in a paper lunch bag, folding it up and microwaving it for a few mins.

Pretzels are crunchy and salty and fat free, but usually almost as many calories as crisps. Lower fat though.

* Baked chips in those small packets they sell at Quiznos.

* Rice crisps.

* Puffed rice/soy crisps.

I know it's silly, but the rice and puffed rice crisps work better for me because they are perfectly round and therefore easy to count out beforehand, unlike regular chips that are all different sizes and broken, and it's hard to count them out. And if you're anything like me, I start taking two small chips and thinking - is this equal to one big chip?, etc., and I end up taking way more than I should!!

~BreathingSpace~

I like popchips. they're a better alternative

I agree with popcorn as a super low cal, very inexpensive, crunchy munchy that can also be flavored. I like eating raw carrot or grape tomatoes alongside so I get in more veg and bulk- even a mini meal with the addition of a piece of string cheese

Kale chips. I can't find my recipe, but it I found it on Google, and it is here somewhere too.

If I am not mistaken, I believe the OP was referring to what we Americans call "french fries". Some other countries call them "crisps". I hope I am correct. Seems like the thread got steered toward what we call "potato chips".

Yes, baking them is an alternative.....or eating a half order instead of a full order??

Ah, that makes sense!

I echo the baked fries/crisps idea. I love them like that. Thick sliced, tossed in a little olive oil and some spices, bake at 425 until desired tenderness. Lining the pan with aluminum foil helps with the sticking and the crisping. Thin slices cook faster, but they are good, too.