Bring a pack of your favorite chips to a restaurant, choose from a variety of toppings and sauces, and voila – your chips just got even more delicious. Imagine diced tomatoes, onions, bell peppers, jalapeños and seasoned chicken, topped with a dressing like guacamole, salsa, sour cream or mayonnaise. Drooling already? Due to its adorable appeal, this trend has come from the West and has gone viral in India as well.

understand it this way lickingBut with chips instead of regular puffed rice Or PapdiOr, loaded nachos…but on the go (and with your choice of crisps).

This BYOC (bring your own chips) trend is spreading across many Indian cities including Delhi, Mumbai and Surat. Along with premium restaurants, street food vendors are also adopting it. Even Lay’s India took advantage of this trend and recently launched its first food truck in Delhi to highlight creative and tasty ways to enjoy its range of chips.

Have you ever made Kurkure Chaat at home? If you have, you know it’s an explosion of flavors that is simply irresistible!

“This trend is known as ‘walking tacos.'” People love it because it has a blend of convenience, customization and bold taste. The ability to personalize their tacos with a variety of toppings and sauces makes it a fun and interactive dining experience,” says Karan Vasan, owner of Grampi, a Delhi eatery specializing in coffee and Italian cuisine.

His restaurant is one of the pioneers of the BYOC trend in India, going viral on social media platforms for making this unique concept widely accessible.

Vasan introduced both vegetarian and non-vegetarian toppings at his restaurant in November for Rs 200 and Rs 230 respectively.

“Customers can choose from classic options like salsa, guacamole, sour cream and shredded cheese, as well as unique toppings like pickled jalapeños, corn relish and chipotle crema. For those looking for healthy options, we offer low-fat Greek yogurt, fresh vegetables, and a variety of green vegetables. Our menu also includes gluten-free and vegan-friendly toppings to accommodate dietary preferences,” shares Vasan.

Does this make your packet of chips healthier?

Since a lot of fresh vegetables and chicken are added to the chips, many people think that this is a healthy way to eat chips.

Priya Paliwal, chief dietitian, dietetics, Shri Balaji Action Medical Institute, Delhi, explains: “On the positive side, you are adding lean proteins, fibre-rich vegetables and healthy fats which can increase the nutritional value of the chips. Instead of just eating a packet full of calories, you’re getting some amount of vitamins, protein, and fiber.

However, experts have also advised caution. Many people use too much sauce and mayonnaise while customizing their chips.

“It may seem like a healthy choice, but it is not. It’s important to remember that the base is still a pack of chips, which are high in calories, salt and unhealthy fats. Adding chicken may increase protein intake, but if it is cooked in unhealthy oil, it may negate any potential benefits,” says Simrat Kathuria, CEO and lead dietitian, The Diet Experts.

“As a damage controller it would be wise to include lots of vegetables, which bring the goodness of fibre. Eggs and chicken can then be added to trend game with lean proteins. However, the loophole is to include sauces, creams and mayonnaise,” says Karishma Chawla, functional medicine nutritionist and lifestyle educator.

Experts warn that excessive consumption of sauces such as mayonnaise can significantly increase the amount of calories, sugar and unhealthy fats, which can lead to weight gain and increase the risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease. High levels of unhealthy fats, salt and sugar can also have a negative impact on gut health, potentially causing digestive issues and other health issues.

what to keep in mind

Even if you’re adding vegetables and protein to your chips, Chawla suggests, “Keep it only as a cheat meal.”

Also, balance it out by eating healthy foods throughout the day.

Moreover, adding huge amounts of unhealthy and processed sauces is definitely a bad idea. Consider replacing these with healthier options like hummus, guacamole or yogurt dips.

“Your dip can be made from yogurt laced with herbs and green onions or sesame tahini. The main thing is to avoid high-sugar and high-fat sauces or dips that may not be tolerated well by your stomach,” says Chawla.

For a healthy twist, Paliwal suggests choosing baked and whole grain chips, makhana or home-made vegetable chips. “Now you can pair them with fresh toppings like grilled chicken and vegetables and yogurt-based sauces,” she says.

Remember, moderation is your best friend when it comes to enjoying chips with or without healthy toppings.