I coach real people with real lives, and I believe in flexible dieting: 80% single-ingredient foods (think salmon, blueberries, broccoli, steak) and 20% comfort foods that help you hit your macros. Today’s review covers 12 savory options I tested head-to-head so you can choose smarter snacks without blowing your calories.
How I Judge Snacks (Quick Rules)
The Protein Test: take the grams of protein and add a zero.
If the calories are ≤ that number, it passes.
- Example: 19 g protein → 190. If the bag is ≤190 calories, it passes.
Bioavailability: not all proteins are equal. Milk/whey/casein blends are complete; some plant/wheat isolates aren’t fully bioavailable.
Seed oils: not inherently “bad.” The real issue is overall processed-food load and your omega-3 : omega-6 balance. Prioritize whole foods and add snacks like these strategically.
The Lineup (Macros per bag unless noted)
1) Quest Protein Chips — The OG Workhorse
- Macros: ~140 cal, 19 g protein, ~1 g fiber — Passes Protein Test
- Protein source: milk protein isolate, whey protein isolate (complete)
- Taste notes: bold, crunchy; favorites: Spicy Sweet Chili and Chili Lime
- Why buy: best all-around combo of macros + flavor; consistent across flavors
2) Legendary Popped Chips — Airy & Voluminous
- Macros: ~150 cal, 20 g protein, 1 g fiber — Passes
- Protein source: casein, milk protein isolate, whey protein isolate
- Taste notes: light, puffy; great volume for calories
- Why buy: similar macros to Quest with a different texture profile
3) Crisp Power (Pretzels) — Big Numbers, Caveat Protein
- Macros: ~200 cal, 28 g protein, 10 g fiber — Passes (on paper)
- Protein source: hydrolyzed wheat protein; ~half bioavailable
- Taste notes: a couple tiers below Quest/Legendary
- Use case: pair with a complete protein (burger/chicken) to cover aminos
4) Cloud Protein Popcorn — Tasty, But…
- Macros (White Cheddar): ~160 cal, 7 g protein, 2 g fiber — Fails
- Notes: serving sizes vary a lot across flavors; essentially popcorn + protein dust
- Taste notes: surprisingly good; just not impressive macros
5) Power Crunch Power Crisp — Nostalgic Brand, Weak Math
- Macros: 320 cal, 22 g protein, 1 g fiber — Fails
- Protein source: pea protein (they report it as bioavailable)
- Taste notes: mixed across flavors; calorie heavy for the protein
6) Natural Endurance (Plant-Based) — Avocado-Oil Angle
- Macros: ~150 cal, 14 g protein, 3 g fiber — Narrowly Fails
- Protein source: pea + soy (almost fully bioavailable)
- Taste notes: on par with Power Crunch; barbecue & sweet chili decent
- Why buy: solid plant-based option if you’re avoiding dairy
7) Pure Protein Crisps — Everywhere, But…
- Macros: ~150 cal, 12 g protein — Fails
- Protein source: pea + lentil + rice blend; not fully bioavailable
- Taste notes: similar to Natural Endurance; fine in a pinch
8) Wilde/Wild* Chicken Chips — Protein From Chicken, Not Lean
- Macros: 210 cal, 13 g protein, 3 g fiber, 13 g fat — Fails
- Taste notes: flavor is great; texture is polarizing; high fat for the protein
- Note: not a lean protein snack despite the chicken marketing
*Brand styling varies by market.
9) Wholesome Provisions Protein Chips — Sneaky Good Fiber
- Macros: 140 cal, 15 g protein, 6 g fiber — Passes
- Protein/Fiber: protein reported as fully bioavailable; fiber from soy
- Taste notes: weaker than category leaders, but respectable overall
- Why buy: macro-friendly + meaningful fiber bump
10) WonderSlims — Light, But Light on Everything
- Macros: 120 cal, 10 g protein, 0 g fiber — Fails
- Protein source: pea protein (check bioavailability)
- Taste notes: very weak; not recommended
Honorable Mentions
11) Atkins Protein Chips (Chipotle BBQ) — Flavor GOAT, RIP Availability
- Status: appears discontinued in stores; pricey online only
- Note: calling out because the flavor was elite.
12) Pork Rinds (e.g., Epic) — Protein-Dense, Fat-Heavy
- Macros: typically pass the Protein Test, but very high in fat
- Use case: treat them like a fat source, not a lean protein snack.
My Winners & Losers
Top Picks (Macros + Taste + Convenience)
- 🥇 Quest Protein Chips
- 🥈 Legendary Popped Chips
- 🥉 Wholesome Provisions (for the added fiber)
Best Plant-Forward Option
- 🌱 Natural Endurance (if you want dairy-free and better oils)
Use With a Complete Protein
- 🧰 Crisp Power (pair with chicken/turkey/sirloin to cover aminos)
Skip
- 🚫 WonderSlims (weak flavor, weak payoff)
- ⚠️ Power Crunch Power Crisp (calories too high for the return)
- ⚖️ Wilde/Wild Chicken Chips (delicious flavor, but not lean)
How to Work These Into a Fat-Loss Diet
- Anchor to whole foods: 80% of intake from single-ingredient foods.
- Use the Protein Test: quick sanity check in the aisle.
- Watch the fat creep: chips that “pass” can still be fat-heavy; read labels.
- Mind bioavailability: milk/whey/casein > some plant/wheat isolates.
- Protect your omega-3 : omega-6 balance: eat fatty fish, consider algae/fish oil if needed, keep total processed-snack volume modest.
The Bottom Line
Snacks don’t make or break your results — consistency does. Choose options that help you hit protein without wrecking your calories, keep an eye on fat, and remember that whole foods run the show.
