Key findings
- 1Veggie straws are primarily refined starches (potato starch, corn starch) with trace amounts of vegetable powder for color
- 2A serving of veggie straws contains less vegetable content than a single bite of an actual carrot or celery stick
- 3The health halo effect; the perception that veggie straws are healthier than chips, is driven by marketing, not ingredients
Why is Veggie Straws Level 3 on average?
Veggie straws are manufactured from a starch-based dough: potato starch, potato flour, corn starch, and oil form the base. Small amounts of tomato paste and spinach powder are added for color. The mixture is extruded into straw shapes and fried or baked. Nutritionally, veggie straws are comparable to standard potato chips, and the vegetable content is minimal. In our analysis, veggie straw products average a Processing Score of 5.5, which is Level 3.
How 220 veggie straws products break down
Share of products at each processing level, in our analysis.
Veggie Straws brand comparison
From least to most processed in our database.
How to read a veggie straws label
- 1
Read the first three ingredients: potato starch, potato flour, corn starch; these are refined starches, not vegetables
- 2
Spinach powder and tomato paste are far down the ingredient list, contributing mainly color
- 3
Compare the nutrition label to potato chips; the calorie, fat, and sodium numbers are similar
- 4
The "veggie" in the name refers to trace vegetable powders used for coloring, not vegetable content
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Frequently asked questions
Are veggie straws actually healthy?
Veggie straws have a similar nutritional profile to regular potato chips; comparable calories, fat, and sodium per serving. The vegetable content (spinach powder, tomato paste) is minimal and provides negligible vitamins or fiber.
Do veggie straws contain real vegetables?
Veggie straws contain small amounts of tomato paste and spinach powder, which provide color but almost no nutritional value. The primary ingredients are potato starch, potato flour, and corn starch; refined starches, not vegetables.
Are veggie straws better than chips?
From a processing standpoint, veggie straws are extruded from refined starches, while basic chips are simply sliced and fried whole potatoes. Plain potato chips (potatoes, oil, salt) have the shorter, simpler ingredient list.