Many people following a low carb diet might question whether Quest chips are suitable for a keto regimen.1
To answer this question, the information below details whether there are low vs high carbs in Quest chips along with their other nutrition facts and ingredients. In addition valuable dietary information, recipes, keto chip alternatives, and a keto approved tortilla chip tip where quest chips can replace tortilla chips too!
Is Quest Chips Suitable for a Keto Diet?
Those on low carb trending diets, such as keto, know the importance of keeping their net carb limit between 20 and 50 per day; so, before indulging in Quest chips, it is important to find out their nutritional value and whether they are keto friendly.2
According to Quest’s mission, their chips and other products are created based on the following criteria:
- Limited amount of sugar and carbohydrates while still ensuring a great flavor
- Use of sweeteners with zero or low calories that do not raise blood sugars and that do not cause digestive disturbance
- Utilization of fiber sources which are FDA approved3
The combination of the above factors are a great start to making Quest chips keto friendly; however, knowing the carb counts of each (which can be viewed below!) will help dieters know which variety is the best choice.
Amount of Net Carbohydrates in Quest Chips & Nutrition Info (How Many Carbohydrates are in Quest Chips)
Traditional chips utilize either potatoes or corn, which are both full of carbohydrates; but the amount of net carbs, between 4 and 5, in both Quest Original Style and Tortilla Chips are significantly lower while having a comparatively better nutritional profile as well.
One reason why Quest chips are considered keto-friendly is because they do not contain potatoes or corn; instead, they use a protein blend as the base ingredient. Quest utilizes both milk protein isolate and whey protein isolate along with other low carb secret weapons such as psyllium husk, chia seed, and stevia sweetener, which have a myriad of proven health benefits, in their chips to create a crispy and crunchy guilt-free snack.5
Because both the original and tortilla Quest chips use protein isolate as a main ingredient, the protein count is fairly high, between 18 and 20. A high protein count isn’t necessarily bad, but when practicing a keto diet it is important to remember that eating more than 10 to 20% of calories in the form of protein can reduce the amount of ketones the body produces, which means there is less fat being burned and can hinder weight loss solutions.6
Original Style Quest Chips: Keto Style Too
If you’re looking for a side to pair with a lettuce wrap or a low-carb burger, consider the Original Style Quest chips. These chips are suitable for a keto diet and come in three delicious flavors, making them a tasty addition to your meal.
Sour Cream and Onion Original Style: Potato chip connoisseurs have always gravitated toward sour cream and onion flavored chips, so thankfully, Quest has offered an impeccable solution for those who have been missing the tasty zip of this tangy chip.
- Calories: 140
- Fat: 5
- Net Carbs: 4
- Protein: 19
Cheddar and Sour Cream Original Style: Onion may not be everyone’s favorite spice, so instead, Quest has provided pickier palettes with the savory flavor combination of cheddar and sour cream.
- Calories: 140
- Fat: 5
- Net Carbs: 4
- Protein: 19
BBQ Original Style: BBQ potato chips are a classic and a fan favorite, so instead of leaving dieters wanting, a Quest chips keto favorite is the low carb BBQ Protein Chip which can satiate the craving for a smoky, spicy snack.
- Calories: 140
- Fat: 5
- Net Carbs: 4
- Protein: 19
Are Quest Tortilla Chips Suitable for a Keto Diet?
Not only are the original style Quest chips keto, but so are their several varieties of tortilla chips. This allows dieters to have more options when looking for a tasty snack or meal accompaniment.
Ranch Tortilla Style: Ranch flavored tortilla chips are an ever popular choice, so Quest offers a version with just a few net carbs so those on keto can also enjoy instead of spending more than a day’s worth of carbs on the popular non-keto version.
- Calories: 140
- Fat: 5
- Net Carbs: 4
- Protein: 19
Spicy Sweet Chili Tortilla Style: If you’re in the mood for a savory treat with a touch of sweetness and a hint of spice, the sweet chili flavor is perfect. It offers a unique flavor profile without overloading on carbs.
- Calories: 140
- Fat: 5
- Net Carbs: 4
- Protein: 19
Loaded Taco Tortilla Style: The taste explosion of the loaded taco low carb tortilla chips is out of this world and allows dieters to not feel deprived. This bold and zesty crisp is the perfect addition to anyone’s pantry.
- Calories: 140
- Fat: 5
- Net Carbs: 4
- Protein: 19
Chili Lime Tortilla Style: There is nothing bland about this tangy mix of chili and lime that come together as a perfect pair on this tortilla chip. Not only are they great to dip in guac, they are tasty on their own.
- Calories: 140
- Fat: 4.5
- Net Carbs: 3
- Protein: 20
Nacho Cheese Tortilla Style: A tried and true favorite, snackers can’t go wrong with nacho cheese flavored chips. Now, since Quest has created this low carb version, keto chip lovers can celebrate by digging into a bag.
- Calories: 150
- Fat: 6
- Net Carbs: 4
- Protein: 18
Are There Other Keto Chips Besides Quest? What Other Brands Carry Keto Approved Chips?
The low carb way of life has been popular for quite a while and it is clear that it is sticking around; so, other companies besides Quest have decided to create their own keto chips to satisfy those looking for low carb and no carb snack options. Below are Quest chip keto alternative brands that each carry low carb friendly chips and other snacks:
Hilo Life: Created specifically for those on a keto diet, a serving of any of the 7 varieties of hilo chips are 3 net carbs and between 9 and 11 grams of protein. Because a majority of the hilo chips utilize almond flour, which is a common ingredient in keto food like cupcakes, instead of protein isolate like the Quest chips, the protein count is not as high.8
Real Ketones: Similar to Quest chips, the Real Ketones chips use a protein blend that gives a bag of their 4 net carb chips 12 grams of protein each. This brand, however, only has 2 flavors of chips to choose from – Sweet BBQ and Nacho Cheese.
Atkins: A long time player in the low carb game has been Atkins, so it’s no surprise they’ve created their own version of chips. Using a blend of proteins as well, each of the 3 Atkins chips flavors are 4 net carbs and 13 grams of protein.
Mac’s: While not exactly a chip, Mac’s pork rinds are an excellent alternative to Quest chips and offer those watching their carb count a 0 or 1 carb alternative. They come in a variety of flavors and are great for dipping or just eating alone.
Are Quest Chips Healthy?
Finding out whether Quest chips are healthy can help dieters learn whether they can include this keto food in their diet. While Quest chips are indeed keto-approved, they remain a processed snack containing preservatives and other additives, meaning they don’t qualify as classically healthy food.
It is important to note, however, working treats into an everyday life is important because deprivation of certain foods or food groups can potentially cause harm, such as binge eating.
Figuring out how to stop eating junk food and sugar is important, but what Quest chips ultimately provide is a category of snack that allows those with particular dietary preferences, such as keto, to stay within their nutritional parameters while still occasionally indulging in a treat.
Is There a Way to Make Quest Chips More Keto?
Finding chips, like the Quest chips keto friendly Original and Tortilla style chips, are a great find, and as touched on above, can be an excellent tool to stay on track while following a low carb diet. However, there are some things to consider to help make Quest chips more keto and, ultimately, help dieters stay successful on a low carb diet.
- Eating crunchy and salty snacks can be a trigger food for some people, and it can be difficult to stop at one serving. Eating multiple servings of Quest chips can quickly put the consumer over their daily carb allotment and kick them out of ketosis, which can lead to unintended results, such as weight gain. Instead of purchasing a multipack of chips, think about buying only one or two bags at a time so the temptation to overeat is lessened.
- Try not to eat a bag of Quest chips alone. Snacking on chips can often not satisfy hunger, so not only is the dieter consuming the 4 to 5 carbs from the chips, but also carbs that are in any additional food that is eaten. It might be beneficial to place half of the bag of chips on a plate and put the other half away and add a carb free supplement to the plate, such as one of the healthy options below.
Healthier Alternatives to Quest & Other Keto Chips
While Quest and other keto chips are okay to eat every once and a while, for those tired of being fat or wanting to up their nutrient game, it may be smart to come up with a list of other snacks that may satiate cravings in a healthier way while staying within low carb boundaries. Here are some ideas that might satisfy an array of tastes:
- Cucumber and ranch dip made with full fat greek yogurt
- Almonds and cheese cubes
- Deviled eggs
- Celery and no sugar added peanut butter
- Pumpkin seeds
Keto Friendly Recipe Ideas Using Quest Chips
Creating low carb recipes can become tedious. To avoid getting stuck in a rut of eating the same meals repeatedly, here are some Quest chips keto recipes to experiment with and potentially include in your meal rotation.
Beefy Nacho Cheese Nachos
Ingredients:
- 4 Servings Quest Nacho Cheese Tortilla Style Chips
- 12 Ounces Ground Beef
- Taco Seasoning
- 4 Ounces of Cheddar Cheese
- 1 Tomato
- 1 Head of Romaine Lettuce
- 4 Ounces of Sour Cream
- Salsa
Directions:
In a pan, brown ground beef and drain off excess liquid. Add taco seasoning with 1/8 a cup of water and cook completely through. While the beef finishes cooking, dice the tomato, cut the lettuce thin slices, and shred the cheese. Empty packages of Quest Nacho Cheese onto 4 separate plates. Top each with 3 ounces of beef, 1 ounce of cheese, lettuce, tomato, 1 ounce of sour cream, and salsa to taste.
Makes 4 servings = 5 Net Carbs per Serving
BBQ Potato Chip Chicken
Ingredients:
- 4 Servings Quest BBQ Original Style Chips
- 1 Pound Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs
- 1 Cup Almond Flour
- 4 Eggs
- 2 Tablespoons Seasoned Salt
- 2 Cups Avocado Oil
Directions:
In one bowl, combine almond flour, crushed Quest BBQ Original Style Chips, and seasoned salt. In a separate bowl, whisk eggs until well beaten. Place chicken in egg and then in the chip and flour mixture; repeat and then set aside on parchment paper. In a skillet, heat about 2 inches of avocado oil to about 370 degrees.
Once the oil is ready, place chicken tenders (4 at a time) until the breading is golden brown and flip to cook on the opposite side. Place on a plate lined with a paper towel; serve with a side a roasted broccoli or as a salad topper.
Makes 4 servings = 6 Net Carbs Per Serving
Chicken Tortilla Soup
The keto friendly tortilla chip tip allows anyone to substitute tortilla chips for quest chips and it turns it into a low-carb protein filled meal rather than one that’s high in carbs and low in protein.
Ingredients:
- 1 Serving Loaded Taco Tortilla Style Chips
- 32 Ounce Container of Chicken Broth
- 12 Ounces of Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast
- 1 Can of Rotel
- 2 Ounces of Cheddar Cheese
- 1/2 Can of Corn
- 1 Avocado
Directions:
Boil chicken in a pot of water for about 15 minutes, or until completely cooked. Remove chicken and shred and place back in water. Add the 32 ounce container of chicken broth to the pot along with the corn and rotel and allow to simmer for 15 minutes. While the soup is cooking, grate the cheddar cheese, cut the avocado into slices, and lightly break apart the chips in the bag. Serve the soup in a bowl and top with a 1/4 of the grated cheese, a 1/4 of the sliced avocado, and 1/4 of chips.
Makes 4 Servings = 4 Net Carbs
Making good food decisions when on keto, whether it be for snacks or meals, can prove difficult even with the most optimistic wishes. While weight loss affirmations are helpful, thankfully, Yes, Quest chips are keto-friendly, so you can enjoy them without worrying about being kicked out of ketosis.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Quest Chips Gluten Free?
Quest chips are labeled as Certified Gluten Free; the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has stringent guidelines on nutritional labeling, so for those looking for a gluten free option, these chips are deemed safe from gluten contamination.
Are Quest Cookies Keto?
Quest’s 6 varieties of cookies are between 4 and 5 net carbs per serving, allowing them to fit within the keto weight loss rules. Similar to the Quest chips, because the cookies are processed and have preservatives, limiting Quest cookies to every once and a while may be the healthier choice.
Are Quest Crackers Okay for a Keto Diet?
Not only are Quest chips keto, but Quest Cheese Crackers offer another alternative to carb laden snacks and each serving amounts to 5 net carbs. For some keto followers, this could take up 1/4 of their daily carb allotment, so not snacking on these every day may aid in seeing results in a more timely manner.
Does Quest Offer Other Low Carb Foods?
As mentioned previously, these packaged snacks may not be the healthiest or lowest carb choice, but for those following keto, the convenience of Quest foods may help them in their dietary journey. The following low carb foods give options to those following a keto diet: protein bars, protein bar minis, candy, protein shakes, protein powder, and pizza.
References
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3U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2021, December 17). Questions and Answers on Dietary Fiber. FDA. Retrieved October 21, 2022, from <https://www.fda.gov/food/food-labeling-nutrition/questions-and-answers-dietary-fiber>
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