Takis are one of the best-selling snacks among teens in the United States. They come in different flavors, but most are tangy or sour and they all come in distinctive purple packaging. However, there have been a number of health allegations made about Takis.
So, are Takis bad for you?
Unfortunately, yes Takis are not that good for you. They are ultra-processed and refined snacks high in refined carbohydrates, sodium, and fat while lacking essential vitamins and nutrients. Eating Takis often can increase your risk of various health concerns such as obesity, gastritis, GERD, heart disease, and diabetes.
Below is an in-depth guide on “are Takis bad for you,” from which you can learn about their potential health risks, different varieties, and their respective nutritional profiles.
Are Takis Unhealthy?
Takis are unhealthy because they are highly processed and generally lacking in essential minerals, vitamins, and nutrients. Furthermore, they are high in sodium, fat, refined carbohydrates, and preservatives, making them potentially harmful to your health. They are fine as an occasional guilty treat, but making it a habit to consume them daily may be dangerous to your health (1).
If you eat Takis daily, you are increasing your risk of obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and stomach disorders.
The following are the different types of Takis and their nutritional information.
| Takis Types | Amount per serving (Kcal) | Fiber | Sodium | Fats | Sugar | Total Carbs |
| Takis Fuego (90 g) | 460 | 4 g | 520 mg | 25 g | 3 g | 53 g |
| Takis Nitro (90 g) | 480 | 4 g | 930 mg | 27 g | 0 g | 51 g |
| Takis Crunchy Fajitas (91 g) | 455 | 3.3 g | 780 mg | 26 g | 3.3 g | 55.3 g |
| Takis Blue Heat (91 g) | 487.5 | 3.3 g | 585 mg | 26 g | 3.3 g | 55.3 g |
| Takis Guacamole (90 g) | 450 | 6 g | 810 mg | 24 g | 0 g | 51 g |
Source: (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)
The above table shows how much sodium, calories, and refined carbs you get from one package of Takis.
Related to read: Are Fritos Bad for You?
Are Takis Fuego Bad for You?
Yes, Takis Fuego are bad for you. This flavor of Takis is intensely spicy, with notes of hot pepper and lime. These Takis give you a fiery sensation on your tongue as well as in your stomach which may result in acid reflux and heartburn.
Are Takis Nitro Bad for You?
Takis Nitro has a distinct hot flavor with undertones of cucumber, habanero, and lime. Takis Nitro flavors are equally unhealthy when consumed in excess. They are relatively higher in sodium content than other flavors, which is a risk especially for people who have high blood pressure.
Are Takis Crunchy Fajitas Bad for You?
Takis Crunchy Fajitas rolled tortilla chips are bursting with fiery flavors. This package of this flavor contains the warning label “intense need of spices can apply.” The spice can upset the stomachs of some people, but the spice level of this flavor is less than Fuego and Nitro.
Are Blue Takis Bad for You?
Blue takis have hot chili pepper and tangy lime seasoning, which provides a somewhat burning taste. This blue version of rolled tortilla chips has the highest number of calories of the various flavors of Takis. It is believed to be the hottest of all, and the hotter it is on the tongue, the more difficult it will be on the stomach. Spicier foods are more likely to cause symptoms of heartburn and indigestion.
Are Takis Guacamole Bad for You?
Takis guacamole has the perfect guacamole flavor and is not as spicy as other Takis tortilla chips. However, even though this flavor has a reasonable range of spices, they could still be healthier. These Takis contain an excessive amount of salt, carbohydrates, preservatives, and calories, making them unhealthy.
Side Effects of Eating Takis
Takis chips have flavorful spices and an intense taste. Eating Takis is a good experience for many people, but there may be better options for regular snacking. Other options may be healthier and not have some of the negative effects that Takis can cause.
Following are some side effects of eating takis:
- Stomach pain
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Stomach irritation
- Gastritis
- Heartburn
- Weight gain
- Cardiovascular risks
- Chest pain
- Constipation
- Irritable bowel symptoms
So, be wary of these side effects before consuming Takis, especially in large quantities.
Are Takis Gluten Free?
Takis are not gluten-free. They include ingredients such as wheat, which contains gluten.
Are Takis Low FODMAP?
Yes, Takis are low in FODMAP. However, this does not mean they should be eaten in excessive amounts.
Are Takis Dairy Free?
Some flavors of Takis are dairy-free, but not all of them. Some products contain milk and eggs. But, some flavors of takis are dairy-free, including Fuego, Crunch Fajita, and Nitro.
Are Takis Acidic?
Yes, Takis are acidic. Their pH ranges between 2-3. They are likely to cause heartburn and acid reflux.
Are Takis GMO-Free?
Takis claims to produce GMO-free products. Although it is not 100% organic, it is made of GM-free corn.
Are Takis Low in Potassium?
Yes, takis are low in potassium. One piece of Takis has only 5.2 mg of potassium while it has 12 calories and 1.2g of carbohydrates.
Are Takis Low Carb?
Takis are not low-carb. One small bag of takis gives you 24.9 g of refined carbs.
Are Takis Low Fiber?
Yes, Takis are low in fiber while high in sodium, artificial flavors, vegetable oil, and preservatives. A small bag of Takis contains only 2 g of fiber.
Are Takis Low Glycemic?
No, Takis are not a low glycemic index food. Takis has high glycemic compounds such as sugar and artificial flavors, which contribute to raising its net carb content.
Are Takis Easy to Digest?
Takis are not easy to digest since they contain intense spices (due to flavoring agents) and chemical additives. Some people find that these ingredients irritate their stomach lining. They can also raise stomach acidity, and even cause gastritis. Moreover, some people find that they have symptoms like bloating, vomiting, stomach pain, nausea, indigestion, and heartburn after eating Takis.
Are Takis Bad for You?
Of course, takis are super tasty. But it is important to consider the potential adverse effects. However, addictive effects are not the only problem that you should note.
In this section, we look at whether Takis are safe to eat. We will look at the nutritional factors and offer some tips to help you make a better decision when snacking.
Who Should Avoid Consuming Takis?
Takis products have a high concentration of potential chemical irritants, sodium, preservatives, and unhealthy ingredients, which make them potentially harmful for people with certain medical conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), gastritis, heart diseases, blood pressure, and overweight status or obesity.
Are Takis Safe for People With Celiac?
Most of the takis products contain wheat products, and therefore contain gluten. Therefore, people with celiac disease or gluten allergy are advised not to eat Takis chips.
Are Takis Good for Weight loss?
No, Takis are not ideal for weight loss. Takis products are generally high in calories, fats, and unhealthy carbs, contributing to weight gain.
Are Takis Safe for Braces?
People who have braces need to be careful about the foods they choose. Very hard or crunch foods can damage the wires or brackets. Takis are crunchy, but generally not hard enough to cause damage. Therefore, it is okay to eat them, but please exercise caution.
Are Takis Safe During Pregnancy?
Takis are spicy, not particularly healthy, and rich in salts; therefore, they are not ideal to consume during pregnancy. But if you have an intense craving, you can eat a small amount. It is not a food that absolutely must be avoided during pregnancy, but eating large amounts can produce some unpleasant symptoms.
Related to read: Can You Eat Hot Cheetos While Pregnant?
Are Takis Safe During Periods?
There are not any foods that are medically forbidden during menstrual periods. However, women may find that eating some foods make symptoms of PMS or symptoms during their periods worse. Takis contain a lot of sodium, which can cause bloating and worsen cramping. So, Takis are not an ideal snack to consume during your period.
Are Takis Safe for People with Heart Problems?
Takis are a big NO for heart patients. They contain a lot of sodium, which can increase your blood pressure. Elevated blood pressure is a significant risk factor for heart attacks and strokes.
Are Takis Safe for People with IBS?
Takis are generally not suitable for people suffering from IBS. Takis are generally coated with highly processed flavors, colors, and preservatives. These chemical agents act as irritants for the stomach and intestine walls, which can cause inflammation and other stomach ailments such as heartburn, indigestion, gastritis, nausea, diarrhea, and constipation.
Are Takis Safe for People with GERD?
Takis are clearly not safe for people with GERD. The reason is their intense spiciness and highly processed manufacturing. They can worsen the symptoms of GERD. With GERD or gastritis, eating one bag of Takis may cause a great deal of pain in your stomach.
Are Takis Keto-Friendly?
Takis are not keto-friendly. They are actually high in net carbs.
Are Takis Kidney Friendly?
Takis are not kidney-friendly. Takis products are high in sodium. People with kidney disease need to be very careful about the amount of sodium they consume, and high-sodium snacks such as Takis are prohibited.
Are Takis Safe for the Stomach?
Takis are not stomach-friendly because they lack stomach-friendly nutrients. Furthermore, they include potentially irritating ingredients that can irritate stomach walls and make digestion more difficult.
Healthier Alternatives to Takis
It’s obvious that Takis aren’t healthy snacks, but you can enjoy them in moderation. Nevertheless, many other brands offer not only delicious snacks but also nutritious ones. This is a quick introduction to some Takis alternatives.
| Per package | Just Pure Foods Zucchini Chips (43g) | Beanitos Black Bean Chips (28g) | Oven Baked Ruffles Cheddar & Sour Cream (1.1 oz) | Tostitos Oven-Baked Scoops! Tortilla Chips (28g) | Takis (30g) |
| Carbohydrate | 17 g | 15 g | 23.4 g | 22 g | 18 g |
| Fat | 7 g | 7 g | 3.9 g | 3 g | 8.2 g |
| Calories/kcal | 140 | 140 | 126.5 | 120 | 156 |
| Sodium | 390 mg | 85 mg | 262.8 mg | 140 mg | 207 mg |
| Verdict | You can eat these in moderation. | Much healthier than Takis. | These can be eaten as an occasional treat. | These can be eaten as an occasional treat. | These can be eaten as an occasional treat. |
Source: (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)
Beanitos black bean chips are healthier snacks because they are made of black bean which is much healthier than regular corn and potatoes made chips. Moreover, they are low in sodium which makes them a healthier snack
Just Pure Foods Zucchini Chips Vs. Takis
Just Pure Foods Zucchini Chips are lower in calories, fats, and carbohydrates than Takis. But, they are higher in sodium, so it is a snack that needs to be eaten in moderation.
Beanitos White or Black Bean Chips Vs. Takis
These snacks are lower in calories, unhealthy fats, carbs, and sodium which makes them a relatively healthy and tasty alternative to Takis.
Oven Baked Ruffles Cheddar & Sour Cream Vs. Takis
Oven Baked Ruffles Cheddar and Sour Cream flavor chips are even less healthy than Takis. They are very high in sodium and should be eaten only as an occasional treat or better yet, completely avoided.
Tostitos Oven-Baked Scoops! Tortilla Chips Vs. Takis
Tostitos Oven Baked Scoops are relatively low in calories, fat, and sodium content, so they can be a healthier alternative to Takis when you’re craving something crunchy.
FAQs
Are Takis Carcinogenic?
Takis have not been shown to cause cancer, but they do contain are not claimed to cause cancer directly, but they do contain agents including TBHQ, BHA, and BHT agents, which may have carcinogenic effects.
Can I Eat Takis Every Day?
No, you should not eat Takis every day. They are an ultra-processed snack that contain minimal nutritional value.
Can People Die from Eating Takis?
No, people cannot die directly from eating Takis, unless they are severely allergic to one of the ingredients. However, when consumed in excess for long periods of time, Takis can certainly cause negative health effects.
Conclusion
When asking ‘Are Takis bad for you?’ The answer is certainly yes. In addition to being made with preservatives, they contain relatively unhealthy ingredients and are high in sodium. These factors all indicate that they are not very good for you.
Thus, it is recommended to restrict Takis’ intake or eat healthier snacks like protein bars, unsalted nuts, and fruits.
That will be all for today!