Are Takis Bad for You?

By - Dr Umme Hurayra

When hunger strikes, many people turn to a vending machine or the snack shelves of the closest store. This often means you grab a packet of chips to snack on.

You can get these snacks in any flavor imaginable today. While potato chips remain popular, some people prefer an alternative.

Takis became popular for their intense flavor profile and spiciness. These chips are not made from potatoes, but rather corn. The crunchy texture and the large selection of flavors further contributed to the popularity of the snack.

However, are Takis bad for you though? Let’s take a look at whether or not it is okay to eat these snacks.

What Are Takis?

Takis are a type of tortilla chip made from corn as the main ingredient.

The chips have a strong flavor that makes them so popular. It come in small packs, with 28 grams of the snacks included in each bag. When you buy a packet of Takis, you can choose from a wide variety of flavors.

Some of the most popular Takis flavors include:

Due to the variety of flavors, you would often hear some ask are Blue Heat Takis good or are guacamole Takis good. An important factor about Takis is that the brand provides a full overview of the ingredients and nutritional facts on the back of the packet.

Why Are Takis So Addicting?

One thing that people often notice when they have Takis is they cannot stop after a single packet.

And it will surely make you ask why Takis are addicting? Studies show that both salt and sugar can have an addicting effect on the human brain. In fact, some reports claim that these two common ingredients in food may be more addictive than nicotine in cigarettes.

To give you a better overview of why Takis can feel addictive, we look at the effects of the ingredients on the brain. Takis chips are heavily processed. Besides, it contains a large amount of salt and fats. No wonder the chips taste so good. The flavoring agents contain a high concentration of sodium that makes any food irresistible.

Heavily processed and high in sodium foods cause a release of a “feel good” chemical dopamine in the brain. It is the same chemical your brain releases when you achieve something in life. And you feel the same each time you take a bite on the takis.

You experience this release of dopamine, but it soon goes away when the chemicals deplete. This is when you start to crave another packet of Takis. Your body is technically craving the release of dopamine you experience when you snack on Takis.

If you cannot control the craving, then you grab another packet of Takis. This pattern does not only account for Takis. Any food that contains a lot of salt or sugar can cause such an effect on your brain.

Are Takis Bad for You?

Of course, takis are super tasty. But it is important to consider the potential adverse effects. However, addictive effects are not the only problem that you should note.

In this section, we look at whether Takis are safe to eat. We will look at the nutritional factors and offer some tips to help you make a better decision when snacking.

Takis Nutritional Facts

It’s easy to find the nutritional fact of takis from the back of the packet. Each 28 grams pack of takis contain:

The first thing people tend to note is the fact that the chips contain some macronutrients. To be more specific, you get some calcium and iron when you eat a packet of Takis. While this may sound beneficial, but they exist in a very small amount.

Can Eating Takis Hurt You?

One of the biggest concerns to consider when looking at the nutritional facts of Takis is the sodium content. Eating one packet gives you 16% of the daily value associated with sodium.

Consume two packets of Takis and you already get more than one-third of the sodium your body should obtain each day. The body needs a small amount of sodium to perform certain functions. The problem, however, is that too much sodium can be dangerous as it triggers high blood pressure.

When you develop hypertension, which is the medical term for high blood pressure, you become more likely to suffer from heart disease. The high pressure causes damage the walls of blood vessels and impact functions of other organs.

There are eight grams of saturated fat in a packet of Takis. It increase the bad cholesterol or LDL cholesterol. When your LDL cholesterol rises, the fatty substance starts to collect in your arteries.

Are Takis Bad for Weight Loss?

Excess weight in the body is extremely harmful to long-term health. If you are trying to lose weight, then you already know how important it is to take a closer look at what you eat. And Takis can seriously impact your weight loss program.

When looking at whether Takis are bad for weight loss, we need to look at the calorie content. Trying to lose weight generally consists of a lifestyle change that allows you to achieve a calorie deficit. This means your goal is to reduce your calorie intake. At the same time, you still need to ensure your body gets enough nutrients. This includes protein, vitamins, minerals, healthy fats, and complex carbs.

Eating just one packet of Takis fills you up with 140 calories. While this does not sound too much, considering you are likely limiting your daily diet to around 1500 calories, remember that this packet only contains 28 grams of the chips. Since most people eat a few packets, the calories quickly count up.

Thus, when asking are Takis bad for you and, in particular, for weight loss, consider this. If you eat three bags in a single sitting, you are already loading your body with 420 calories. These are essentially empty calories. This means you are eating calories, but not attending to the nutritional needs of your body. With this in mind, it becomes hard to plan out the rest of your daily meals when you have little calories left to work with.

What Type of Cancer Does Takis Cause?

When asking why are Takis bad for you, the factors mentioned above should be considered. People who want to know are Takis bad should consider recent warnings by US authorities.

In one report, Takis are given a danger rating of three. The report states that the chips contain TBHQ, BHT, and BHA. These chemicals may have a carcinogenic effect in the human body.

Cancers linked to the consumption of these chemicals include colon, pancreatic, and bladder cancer, as well as leukemia. Individuals who are already at risk of cancer and asking how many Takis should I eat are better off avoiding the chips completely.

Should You Stop Eating Takis?

When asking are Takis unhealthy, the answer is certainly yes. These chips are processed and contain several unhealthy ingredients. When it comes to asking how unhealthy are Takis, the answer depends on you. Overall, having a packet of Takis now and then should not be a problem.

If you enjoy the flavor of these chips, then practice moderation. Never have more than a single serving in one sitting. If you find it hard to control your cravings, make sure you only pack one bag of the chips into the shopping cart. This way, you will not be tempted with a second bag sitting on the countertop.

It is also important to ask how many Takis should I eat a day. Some people enjoy a packet of this snack every day. But you might want to avoid this as a daily snack to stay helathy. Instead, grab a packet of Takis once a week. This way, you will appreciate the spicy flavor of the chips more. It will also reduce your high sodium and saturated fats intake.

There are many ways to control your cravings. If you feel like grabbing a packet of chips, try having a glass of water first. Many people find that water helps to fill them up. You can also eat a handful of nuts. Most nuts are high in fiber, which helps to keep you full.

Conclusion

Takis is a very popular brand of tortilla chips. The chips come in a large variety of flavors and many enjoy them every day. Health-conscious people are constantly asking are Takis bad for you.

Similar to other snacks on the shelf, these chips are processed and do not offer the body access to important nutrients. Eating Takis in moderation should not be a problem, but it is important to limit your intake of the chips.