Panera pushes these chips as if they’re a clean, wholesome snack — “kettle cooked,” “sea salt,” and “only three ingredients.” Don’t be fooled. This is classic health-washing.
• “Kettle cooked” just means they’re fried in small batches, not that they’re healthier. In fact, this process often absorbs more oil, making them heavier and greasier.
• Vegetable oils (corn, canola, sunflower) are the cheapest, most inflammatory oils on the market. They’re highly refined, oxidize under high heat, and pump your body with excess omega-6 fats that drive systemic inflammation and arterial damage.
• Fried potatoes form acrylamides — toxic compounds linked to cancer — every time they’re cooked at high temperatures.
• Sea salt sounds wholesome, but in reality it’s just refined sodium chloride. Pair that with the high carb load from potatoes, and you’ve got a blood pressure and blood sugar spike waiting to happen.
These aren’t a “better” option. They’re the same empty-calorie, inflammatory junk as gas station chips, dressed up with fancy packaging and the Panera name to trick health-conscious customers. Consumers deserve transparency, not marketing gimmicks.
If Panera wants to offer a truly healthy snack, they should stop hiding behind buzzwords and start with better oils and cooking methods. Right now, these chips are nothing more than junk food in disguise.