Takis are a fan-favorite chip known for their spicy flavor and delicious crunch. Takis are made from rolled corn tortilla chips and come in a variety of flavors. Despite their delicious flavor, those with gluten sensitivities may wonder if Takis are gluten-free.
Takis are not considered to be gluten-free. Despite not containing any gluten ingredients, Takis are manufactured in a facility that processes wheat ingredients. Therefore, there is potential for cross-contamination. The best gluten-free alternatives to Takis include Thrive Market Non-GMO Grain-Free Puffs in Vegan Nacho, Lesser Evil “No Cheese” Cheesiness Paleo Puffs, and From the Ground Up Cauliflower Stalks.
Let’s look into all things Takis, including the nutrition information, whether or not they are healthy, and the best alternatives. Ready to dig in?
Contents
Are Takis Healthy?
While Takis are fine to consume in moderation, they are not particularly healthy. For one, Takis are incredibly high in sodium. In fact, one serving of the original flavor gives you one third of your recommended sodium intake.
Having a diet high in sodium can lead to many negative health effects, including high blood pressure and heart diseases. It also increases the chances of certain cancers, particularly stomach cancer. To avoid consuming too much sodium, we recommend only consuming Takis on occasion; try to have the bulk of your diet come from whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and lean protein sources.
Takis are also highly processed while being low in essential nutrients. Consuming high levels of processed foods is linked to obesity, excess belly fat, as well as a shorter lifespan.
Are Takis Bad for Digestion?
Takis, along with other spicy snacks, can affect your stomach lining when consumed in excess. This effect on the stomach lining can lead to gastritis, which is a digestive condition that causes stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting.
Eating spicy foods can also lead to gastroesophageal reflux disease, which can cause heartburn and indigestion. Other digestive issues, such as irritable bowel syndrome, can also result from spicy snacks. If you consume Takis and experience digestive issues, we recommended trying to limit the spicy foods in your diet. For those without digestive issues, the key to consuming Takis is moderation. Be sure to stick to the serving recommendation and supplement Takis with other foods and snacks as well.
Healthy snack ideas include raw veggies with dip, jalapeno and cream cheese for a spicy kick, nuts, cheese and crackers, and popcorn with paprika or chili powder are all great ideas.
Taki Nutrition Information
Takis Fuego Chips
Unfortunately, Takis are not the healthiest of snack choices. The most popular and original flavor of Takis is the Takis Fuego Chips. This flavor is a combination of hot chili pepper and lime.
Nutritional Information (Per 1 package, 56 grams):
- Calories: 280
- Protein: 3 grams
- Fat: 16 grams (21% DV)
- Carbs: 33 grams (12% DV)
- Sugar: 1 gram
- Fiber: 2 grams (7% DV)
- Sodium: 820 mg (36% DV)
- Calcium: 2% of the DV
- Iron: 0% of the DV
Ingredients:
- Corn flour (processed with lime)
- Vegetable oil
- Seasoning salt
- Maltodextrin
- Citric acid
- Sugar
- Monosodium glutamate
- Hydrolyzed soy protein
- Onion powder
- Yeast extract
- Red 40 lake
- Yellow 6 lake
- Natural and artificial flavors
- Sodium bicarbonate
- Soybean oil
- Chili pepper (chili)
- Disodium inosinate
- Disodium guanylate
- TBHQ (antioxidant)]
Takis Nitro Chips
These Takis are habanero, lime, and cucumber flavored. One pack comes with the following nutrition:
Nutritional Information (Per 1 package, 56 grams):
- Calories: 160
- Protein: 2 grams
- Fat: 9 grams (14% DV)
- Carbs: 17 grams (6% DV)
- Sugar: 0 gram
- Fiber: 2 grams (7% DV)
- Sodium: 310 mg (13% DV)
- Calcium: 0% of the DV
- Iron: 0% of the DV
Ingredients:
- Corn flour (processed with lime)
- Soybean and/or palm and/or canola oil
- Maltodextrin
- Iodized salt
- Citric acid
- Dextrose
- Monosodium glutamate
- Sugar
- Onion powder
- Natural and artificial flavors
- Artificial colors
- Garlic powder
- Acacia gum
- Tocopherol
- Mannitol
Takis Xplosion Chips
These chips are both cheese and chili flavored, so you can enjoy that cheesy flavor without giving up the spice.
Nutritional Information (Per 18 chips, 47 grams):
- Calories: 250
- Protein: 2 grams
- Fat: 14 grams (14% DV)
- Carbs: 28 grams (6% DV)
- Sugar: 1 gram
- Fiber: 2 grams (7% DV)
- Sodium: 260 mg (11% DV)
- Calcium: 0% of the DV
- Iron: 4% of the DV
Ingredients:
- Corn flour
- Vegetable oil (canola and/or soybean ) and palm oil (palm oil and/or fractionated palm oil)
- Seasoning [corn maltodextrin, sodium gluconate, whey powder, onion powder, monosodium glutamate, salt, hydrogenated vegetable oil (coconut), garlic powder, tomato powder, sucrose, potassium chloride, hydrolyzed soybean protein, citric acid, natural and artificial flavors, sodium caseinate (milk), spices, silicon dioxide, dipotassium orthophosphate, disodium inosinate, disodium guanylate, color (tartrazine), mono -and di-glycerides]
- Water
Takis Crunchy Fajita Chips
These Takis keep the spice but add a little fajita flavor.
Nutritional Information (Per 12 chips, 28 grams):
- Calories: 140
- Protein: 2 grams
- Fat: 8 grams (10% DV)
- Carbs: 17 grams (6% DV)
- Sugar: 1 gram
- Fiber: 2 grams (7% DV)
- Sodium: 240 mg (10% DV)
- Calcium: 2% of the DV
- Iron: 0% of the DV
Ingredients:
- Corn masa flour (processed with lime)
- Soybean and/or palm and/or canola oil
- Seasoning [corn maltodextrin, iodized salt, monosodium glutamate, corn starch, chili pepper (chile), citric acid, artificial and natural flavor (soy, milk, egg), onion powder, canola oil, garlic powder, spices, artificial colors (yellow 6 lake, red 40 lake, and blue 1 lake), dextrose, tricalcium phosphate, yeast, sugar, gum arabic, xylose)
Takis Guacamole Flavored Tortilla Chips
These chips are a bit less spicy and hone in on that delicious creamy avocado flavor instead.
Nutritional Information (Per 12 chips, 28 grams):
- Calories: 150
- Protein: 2 grams
- Fat: 8 grams (10% DV)
- Carbs: 17 grams (6% DV)
- Sugar: 0 gram
- Fiber: 1 gram (4% DV)
- Sodium: 230 mg (10% DV)
- Calcium: 0% of the DV
- Iron: 0% of the DV
Ingredients:
- Corn masa flour (processed with lime)
- Vegetable oil (palm and/or soybean and/or canola oil and/or rice bran oil)
- Seasoning [maltodextrin, salt, hydrogenated vegetable oil (corn), monosodium glutamate, tomato powder, citric acid, onion powder, garlic powder, modified corn starch, sugar, acetic acid, sodium caseinate (milk), dipotassium phosphate, spices, natural and artificial flavors, silicon dioxide, disodium inosinate, disodium guanylate, mono and diglycerides, yellow 5, bha (antioxidant), blue 1, red 40]
- Artificial flavor.
One thing to keep in mind is that Takis contain soy and are made in a facility that may also use milk, egg, wheat, and peanut products. If you are sensitive to any of these ingredients, you may want to look for an alternate snack.
At-Home Spicy Paprika Kale Chips
If you are looking for a spicy, crunchy alternative, try making at-home spicy kale chips. They are easy, healthy, and can help satisfy your cravings. To make them, start with collecting the following ingredients:
- 1 bunch (about 1/2 lb.) curly kale
- 3 Tbs. olive oil
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp chili powder (or to taste)
- 1/2 tsp. coarse sea salt
Once you have collected these ingredients, follow these steps:
- Preheat the oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit
- Wash the Kale and dry by blotting with a kitchen towel or paper towels
- Tear the leaves into chip size chunks, leaving the stems (should be fairly large chips)
- Put the kale pieces in a bowl and toss with olive oil and your seasonings (try experimenting with different flavors and spice combinations!)
- Place the kale pieces on a baking sheet or two, then bake in the oven for 25 minutes or until crispy
Note: If you use 2 baking pans, make sure to rotate positions halfway through.
Healthier Gluten-Free Alternatives
Thrive Market Non-GMO Grain-Free Puffs in Vegan Nacho
Nutritional Information (Per 20 puffs, 28 grams):
- Calories: 1130
- Fat: 0 gram (0% DV)
- Carbs: 15 gram (5% DV)
- Fiber: 2 grams (7% DV)
- Sugar: 1 grams
- Protein: 2 grams
- Sodium: 270 mg (12% DV)
Ingredients:
- Cassava flour
- Navy bean meal
- Organic coconut oil
- Vegan nacho seasoning (maltodextrin, sea salt, onion powder, natural flavor, sugar, tomato powder, garlic powder, yeast extract, green bell pepper powder, paprika, spices, paprika extract, lactic acid, citric acid, white distilled vinegar, jalapeno pepper)
Lesser Evil “No Cheese” Cheesiness Paleo Puffs
Nutrition Information (Per 1 oz, 28 grams):
- Calories: 130
- Fat: 8 gram (10% DV)
- Carbs: 18 gram (7% DV)
- Fiber: 1 gram (5% DV)
- Sugar: 0 grams
- Protein: <1 gram
- Sodium: 190 mg (8% DV)
Ingredients:
- Organic cassava flour
- Organic coconut oil
- Organic tapioca starch
- Organic tapioca native starch
- Organic coconut flour
- Organic tapioca solids
- Himalayan crystal salt
- Organic sweet potato powder
- Organic nutritional yeast
- Organic flavor yeast extract
- Organic garlic powder
- Organic onion powder
- Lactic acid
- Organic ground mustard
- Organic spices
From the Ground Up Cauliflower Stalks
Nutritional Information (Per 4 stalks, 28 grams):
- Calories: 140
- Fat: 6 gram (9% DV)
- Carbs: 1 gram (0% DV)
- Fiber: 1 gram (4% DV)
- Sugar: 1 gram
- Protein: 2 grams
- Sodium: 180 mg (8% DV)
Ingredients:
- Cassava
- Expeller
- Pressed sunflower oil
- Cauliflower rice flour
- Whole grain brown rice flour
- Sorghum
- Sea salt
- Garlic
- Salt
- Parsley
- Celery seed
- Vegetable blend (spinach, broccoli, carrots, tomatoes, beets, shiitake mushrooms)
Related Questions
Are Takis Vegan?
The core ingredients in Takis are vegan-friendly, but some of the seasonings are not (depending on how you feel about certain ingredients). It’s important to look at the ingredients before purchasing. Takis Xplosion, Guacamole, and Crunchy Fajita are not considered vegan.
Are Takis Halal?
Takis Fuego and Takis Nitro are Halal.