If you are a cheese puffs lover, you may likely have come across Lesser Evil paleo puffs.
Lesser Evil paleo puffs are grain-free puffs made from organic cassava flour and coconut oil.
The puffs are light and airy with a crunchy texture and come in multiple flavors such as No cheese cheesiness, Himalayan pink salt, and Fiery hot.
These puffs are often marketed as “cleaner” snacks than other puffs.
However, do they really stack up as a nutritious snack?
Or are Lesser Evil paleo puffs a healthy choice?
Short answer: Lesser Evil paleo puffs are healthy as they are made from organic ingredients and are free from grains, dairy, soy and artificial additives. However, they lack good protein and fiber.
Read on to find out more about Lesser Evil paleo puffs, including their ingredients, protein, fiber, sodium content, and more.
Read also: Is Lesser Evil Popcorn Healthy? Here Is The Answer
What are Lesser Evil paleo puffs made of?
Lesser Evil paleo puffs come in three flavors.
Therefore, the exact ingredients vary depending on the flavor you choose.
However, the base ingredients around all the flavors are the same – Organic cassava flavor, organic coconut oil, and organic tapioca starch as the main ingredients.
Here’s the table showing the ingredients in all three flavors.
Flavor | Ingredients |
---|---|
No cheese chessiness | ORGANIC CASSAVA FLOUR, ORGANIC COCONUT OIL, ORGANIC TAPIOCA STARCH, ORGANIC TAPIOCA SOLIDS, ORGANIC SWEET POTATO POWDER, HIMALAYAN CRYSTAL SALT, ORGANIC NUTRITIONAL YEAST, ORGANIC COCONUT FLOUR, ORGANIC FLAVOR, ORGANIC BAKER’S YEAST EXTRACT, ORGANIC GARLIC POWDER, ORGANIC ONION POWDER, LACTIC ACID, ORGANIC GROUND MUSTARD, ORGANIC SPICES. |
Himalayan pink salt | ORGANIC CASSAVA FLOUR, ORGANIC COCONUT OIL, ORGANIC TAPIOCA STARCH, ORGANIC TAPIOCA SOLIDS, ORGANIC SWEET POTATO POWDER, HIMALAYAN CRYSTAL SALT, ORGANIC NUTRITIONAL YEAST, ORGANIC COCONUT FLOUR, ORGANIC FLAVOR, ORGANIC BAKER’S YEAST EXTRACT, ORGANIC GARLIC POWDER, ORGANIC ONION POWDER, LACTIC ACID, ORGANIC GROUND MUSTARD, ORGANIC SPICES. |
Fiery hot | ORGANIC CASSAVA FLOUR, ORGANIC COCONUT OIL, ORGANIC FLAMING HOT SEASONING (ORGANIC MALTODEXTRIN, HIMALAYAN CRYSTAL SALT, ORGANIC COCONUT SUGAR, ORGANIC SPICES, ORGANIC NUTRITIONAL YEAST, ORGANIC BAKER’S YEAST EXTRACT, ORGANIC FLAVOR, CITRIC ACID, ORGANIC ONION POWDER, ORGANIC GARLIC POWDER, ORGANIC WHITE DISTILLED VINEGAR, ORGANIC HABANERO PEPPER), ORGANIC TAPIOCA STARCH, ORGANIC SWEET POTATO FLOUR, ORGANIC COCONUT FLOUR. |
Is Lesser Evil paleo puffs good ingredients-wise? Of course, they are!
They are made up of organic ingredients and contain no refined sugar, artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.
Let’s move on to the nutritional part.
How much protein is in Lesser Evil paleo puffs?
With an ingredient list full of healthy-sounding, you may expect Lesser Evil paleo puffs to be a good protein and fiber source.
However, that’s not really the case.
The puffs contain less than 1g of protein per serving. Also, the fiber content is low, with just 1g per serving.
So, if you are looking for a nutritious snacking option, these are not designed for you.
Here’s how the protein and fiber content of Lesser Evil paleo puffs compare to other puffs.
Puffs brand | Protein(g) | Fiber(g) |
---|---|---|
Lesser Evil paleo puffs | <1 | 1 |
Cheetos puffs | 1-2 | <1 |
Pirated booty puffs | 1-3 | 0 |
Hippeas chickpea puffs | 3 | 2 |
Are Lesser Evil paleo puffs high in sodium?
Lesser Evil paleo puffs are not very high in sodium.
A serving (28g) contains 190mg of sodium, which is 12% of the daily ideal sodium limit(1500mg) set by the American Heart Association.
If you are healthy, 190mg sodium may not concern you.
However, this can be a considerable amount for those limiting sodium in their diet.
The source of sodium in these puffs is Himalayan salt.
Here’s how the sodium content of Lesser Evil paleo puffs compares to other puffs.
Puffs brand | Sodium(mg) |
---|---|
Lesser Evil paleo puffs | 190 |
Cheetos puffs | 260-310 |
Pirated booty puffs | 95-270 |
Hippeas chickpea puffs | 170-180 |
Are Lesser Evil Paleo Puffs high in saturated fat?
Lesser Evil paleo puffs are high in saturated fat, containing 5g per serving.
That’s about 38% of the daily saturated fat intake limit, as per the American Heart Association.
The reason for high saturated fat is the presence of coconut oil.
Coconut oil is 90% saturated fat.
However, these saturated fats are not as bad for you as they are present in other oils.
Coconut oil is rich in lauric acid and medium-chain fatty acids, which provide various benefits such as increasing good cholesterol, controlling blood sugar, reducing stress, etc[1].
Despite this, it’s still important to consume coconut oil in moderation, as some studies have also shown negative consequences.
Are Lesser Evil paleo puffs good for weight loss?
Lesser Evil paleo puffs are good for weight loss as they don’t have any sugar and are also low in calories, with 130 per serving.
However, these puffs lack the protein, fiber, and nutrients that promote lasting fullness.
Therefore, you need to control your intake as it’s easy to go overboard with these puffs.
Note that weight loss depends not only on one food but overall diet and lifestyle.
Are Lesser Evil paleo puffs gluten-free?
Lesser Evil paleo puffs are a gluten-free, friendly snack choice.
The cassava flour base, gluten-free facility, and independent certification ensure the puffs are safe for those with celiac disease.
Are Lesser Evil paleo puffs vegan?
Lesser Evil paleo puffs are vegan as they don’t contain any animal or dairy-based ingredients.
However, it’s worth noting that these puffs are produced in a shared facility where milk and eggs are used.
So, there can be a risk of cross-contamination.
Final words
After looking at the ingredients and nutritional value, it can be concluded that Lesser Evil paleo puffs are a healthy choice but not nutritious.
They are made from organic ingredients and are free from grains, dairy, soy, and artificial additives.
However, they are high in saturated fat and must be consumed in moderation.
If you are looking for a nutritious option, look for other puffs, such as Hippeas chickpea.
Found this information helpful? Share it.
Here are a few other posts that might also be helpful for you.