Guilt-Free Snack Swaps for Doritos and Cheetos
Elevate your snack game with these healthy alternatives to Doritos and Cheetos!
Disclaimer: I do use affiliate links in this blog meaning that if you purchase anything through my affiliate links I receive commission at no additional cost to you! I only recommend products that I have heavily researched, tested and loved, and/or used for several years.
Okay, confession time: I'm addicted to Doritos. It's a ridiculous habit I developed a few years back, and the backstory is even more ridiculous. Picture a food and wine pairing exercise during a sommelier education course. The Doritos were meant to showcase an awful combination with most of the wines presented—yet as I bit into the chip in isolation of the wine, the cheesiness unlocked a guilty pleasure snack I had to immediately obtain post class. Let's just say I have kept my Doritos supply well-maintained ever since that fateful day. Costco, CVS, Bristol Farms—they're all my enablers!
My Doritos obsession is especially amusing to my friends and family because I'm otherwise incredibly health-conscious. I'm a four-year Erewhon member, known for exploring genuinely healthy products and meals rather than the latest trendy smoothie. My weekday meals typically follow my Nicole Skin Food Diet (read the blog here).
It wasn't until one fateful evening, mid-Doritos-binge on the couch, that I actually read the ingredients list on the family-size bag in my hand. I did a quick search on Google looking up some of the ingredients, and things were not looking so good. My data scientist self knew I was just looking for confirmation bias on Reddit, but I couldn't resist the urge to go down the rabbit hole. Even after scouring Reddit for a single voice of dissent, the truth was undeniable: Doritos are a nutritional disaster.
So, I went through all five stages of grief for my beloved Doritos (it was a dark time). Then, naturally, I went into typical Nicole detective mode, on a mission to find a healthier (and equally delicious) replacement. Turns out, because I primarily only shop at upscale health food stores, I had already tried almost every healthy snack on the market. On top of that, the cheesiness-level of Doritos is a tough bar to match. However, I’ve done it again (as I often do)! Presenting Zack’s Mighty Organic Nacho Tortilla Chips and Pipcorn!
Zack's Mighty Nacho Chips takes a more artisanal approach to snacking. Founded by Zack Gazzaniga (Sir Kensington’s first hire and COO!), he was on a mission to create a chip that does not break in guacamole. They have a thicker, rolled tortilla chip with a more robust corn flavor. Their seasoning leans toward a more complex blend, often featuring tangy lime and smoky chili alongside the cheesy notes. The chip is much sturdier than Doritos, and can easily hold up to dips and toppings. Zack’s Mighty is non-GMO, organic, and uses ingredients like certified regenerative corn, paprika, garlic powder, tomato powder, cayenne pepper, green bell pepper, and onion powder for a healthier alternative to Red 40.
Pipcorn makes cheese balls that may not have the crunch of Doritos, but is sure to satisfy your ultimate cheesy snack cravings! You may have already read about the brand in my Black Women-Owned Brands to Support This Black Friday (and Everyday) blog post. As a refresher—the company uses unique heirloom corn and a variety of delicious flavors.
You may have seen Jennifer Martin and her brother, Jeff, appear on Shark Tank in 2015, seeking an investment of $200,000 for 10% of Pipcorn. Barbara Corcoran (my fave!) offered them a deal of $200,000 for 20% of the company and they accepted — and from there Pipcorn took off! They offer a range of snack varieties including popcorn, balls, twists, crunchies, dippers, and even fries! Pipcorn uses high-quality, non-GMO ingredients and avoids artificial flavors and preservatives. I was honestly so impressed when I tried the snack, it is truly one of those hard-to-believe foods in regards to the healthier ingredients.
I can say with full confidence that both of these snacks are Nicole-approved, and I hope to have inspired fellow Doritos-lovers to convert to these just as delicious yet healthier alternatives!
Schedule here for tech career coaching sessions and packages!
If you enjoyed this blog post, I would greatly appreciate you taking a moment to browse my other blog posts (I write on lifestyle, beauty, travel, restaurants, working in tech, and cocktails + wine), subscribe, and/or make a donation. Donation proceeds go toward monthly Squarespace fees, PO box fees, website enhancements, ad campaigns, SEO tools, and time investment in addition to my full-time job. Thank you for your readership from the bottom of my heart! xx Nicole
