Quick Answer

What Oils Does Good Health Use?

Good Health kettle chips are cooked in avocado oil, which is extracted from the flesh of avocados rather than seeds. This makes it fundamentally different from problematic seed oils that are extracted from plant seeds and contain high levels of inflammatory omega-6 fatty acids. The brand also produces chips cooked in olive oil, another traditional fat that humans have consumed for thousands of years. Both avocado oil and olive oil are primarily composed of monounsaturated fats, which are much more stable during high-heat cooking compared to the polyunsaturated fats found in seed oils. This ingredient choice sets Good Health apart from the vast majority of chip brands, which typically use:

• Sunflower oil (high in linoleic acid)
• Canola oil (heavily processed rapeseed oil)
• Corn oil (extracted from corn kernels)
• Cottonseed oil (industrial byproduct)
• Safflower oil (high omega-6 content)
• Soybean oil (most common in processed foods)

These seed oils are problematic because they contain 50-70% omega-6 linoleic acid, which can promote inflammation when consumed in excess. Modern Americans consume roughly 20% of their calories from omega-6 fatty acids, compared to just 1-2% throughout most of human history.

Full Ingredients Breakdown

A typical Good Health kettle chip ingredient list looks like this: Good Health Kettle Style Sea Salt:

• Potatoes
• Avocado oil
• Sea salt

That's it. Three simple ingredients, with avocado oil serving as the cooking fat. Compare this to mainstream chip brands that often include artificial flavors, preservatives, and seed oil blends. Good Health Olive Oil varieties follow a similar pattern:

• Potatoes
• Olive oil
• Sea salt
• Natural flavoring (in flavored varieties)

The simplicity of these ingredient lists reflects Good Health's commitment to cleaner snack foods. There are no mysterious oil blends, no partially hydrogenated fats, and no industrial seed oils that require extensive chemical processing. Avocado oil has a high smoke point (around 520°F), making it ideal for the high-heat kettle cooking process. It won't break down and form harmful compounds like many seed oils do when exposed to the temperatures required for chip manufacturing.

Are Good Health Chips Healthy?

While Good Health chips are significantly better than conventional options, they're still processed snack foods that should be consumed in moderation. However, the choice of avocado oil does provide several advantages: Stable Fat Profile: Avocado oil is roughly 70% monounsaturated fat, 20% saturated fat, and only 10% polyunsaturated fat. This makes it much more resistant to oxidation compared to seed oils, which can be 50-80% polyunsaturated. No Industrial Processing: Unlike canola or soybean oil, avocado oil doesn't require hexane extraction or chemical refining. The oil is typically cold-pressed from avocado flesh, preserving its natural antioxidants and nutrients. Lower Inflammation Potential: By avoiding high-omega-6 seed oils, Good Health chips won't contribute as much to the omega-6/omega-3 imbalance that drives chronic inflammation in many Americans. However, they're still fried potatoes with added salt. The glycemic impact and caloric density mean they should be treated as an occasional snack rather than a health food. But when you do want chips, choosing ones cooked in avocado oil is a meaningful upgrade.

Seed Oil Free Chip Alternatives

Good Health isn't the only brand offering cleaner chip options. Here are other seed oil-free alternatives worth considering: Boulder Canyon: Available at Costco, these chips are cooked in beef tallow, making them an excellent choice for those following ancestral eating patterns. Beef tallow was the traditional frying fat before the seed oil revolution. Jackson's Honest: Uses coconut oil for their sweet potato and regular potato chips. Coconut oil is highly saturated, making it extremely stable at high temperatures. Siete: Offers grain-free tortilla chips cooked in avocado oil, perfect for those avoiding both seed oils and grains. Kettle Brand (select varieties): Some varieties use avocado oil, though you'll need to read labels carefully as they also make seed oil versions. Lesser Evil: Uses coconut oil in many of their better-for-you snack products. The key is reading ingredient lists carefully, as many "natural" or "organic" brands still use sunflower oil or other seed oils. Just because something is organic doesn't mean it's free from inflammatory fats.

The Bottom Line

Good Health stands out as one of the few mainstream chip brands that has completely avoided seed oils in favor of more stable, traditional fats like avocado oil and olive oil. This makes them an excellent choice for health-conscious consumers who want to enjoy chips occasionally without the inflammatory burden of industrial seed oils. The brand's commitment to simple, clean ingredients reflects a growing awareness among food manufacturers that consumers are demanding transparency and better nutrition. By choosing avocado oil over cheaper seed oil alternatives, Good Health demonstrates that it's possible to make better snack foods without sacrificing taste or texture. While chips should never be a dietary staple, having access to options cooked in stable, nutrient-dense fats makes occasional indulgence much more reasonable. Good Health proves that you don't have to sacrifice your health principles to enjoy a crunchy snack. Ready to find more seed oil-free options? Seed Oil Scout helps you find seed oil free restaurants AND scan grocery products with our barcode scanner. Whether you're dining out or grocery shopping, we make it easy to avoid inflammatory oils and stick to your health goals. 🫡