Is Grain free tortilla chips Gluten Free?

The Ingredient Breakdown

As a food scientist, I look at the source of the starch first. The primary ingredient here is cassava flour. Cassava is a root vegetable, completely distinct from wheat, barley, or rye. It naturally contains no gluten proteins, making it an excellent binder for chips that need to hold their shape without wheat flour.

The fats used are also clean. Sunflower oil is a seed oil that is naturally gluten free. The flavor comes from lime oil and sea salt, both of which are pure and free from gluten contaminants. The inclusion of chia seeds adds a nutritional boost of fiber and omega-3s without introducing any gluten risks.

While the ingredients are safe, it is important to note that citric acid is used as a preservative. This is standard in the snack industry and is derived from fermentation of sugars (usually corn or sugar beets). It is safe for gluten-free diets. However, always be aware that if these chips were processed in a facility that also makes wheat-based products, cross-contamination is a theoretical risk, though the ingredients themselves are pure.

Nutritional Value

When swapping grain-based chips for root vegetable alternatives, the nutritional profile shifts. Chips made with cassava flour tend to be higher in carbohydrates compared to almond flour alternatives, but they are usually lower in calories than potato chips because they absorb less oil during frying.

The sunflower oil content means these chips are higher in fats. While these are unsaturated fats, portion control is key. If you are strictly monitoring your fat intake, these chips fit within a moderate diet, but they shouldn't be consumed in large quantities. The chia seeds provide a slight fiber boost, which aids in digestion and helps mitigate the blood sugar spike from the cassava.