Flavoured tortilla chips are better suited to an occasional snack than as your go-to fuel just before or during a long run. If you want to include them in your nutrition plan, check the carbohydrate content of a weighed portion, and consider portion size, fat, fibre and heat before running. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists sports drinks, bars and gels as practical options during prolonged, intense exercise, but says they aren’t necessary for every training session.
You want to know whether a snack contributes to your carbohydrate plan, so you consider when you’ll eat it and how many carbohydrates are in the portion you actually have. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre provides general guidance on carbohydrates for endurance sports.
What matters most to you is what you can tolerate before a run. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre notes that spicy food can cause problems for some people. Portion size and ingredients are worth considering, too.
You’re mainly looking for a flavour and pack size that suit when you’ll be eating the chips. If you have a food allergy, check the packaging for each variety. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains the rules on allergen information.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Carbohydrates and timing | Check the carbohydrates per 100 g on the label and calculate the amount for your weighed portion. Distinguish between a snack outside training and food to eat on the go. | If I’m considering chips around a long run, I want to know how many carbohydrates my portion actually provides. Around 36% of consumers in this shopping context prioritise planning their fuel above all else. |
| Stomach comfort | Before running, consider portion size, fat and fibre. Also think about whether spiciness might be an issue for you. | If I eat before running, I want to take into account what I personally tolerate. Around 29% of consumers in this shopping context put stomach comfort first. |
| Flavour and packaging | Compare the flavour and net weight with the amount you want to serve. Don’t assume a product is suitable for training based on its flavour name. | When I choose chips as an occasional snack, I want a flavour and bag size that suit how I’ll use them. Around 21% of consumers in this shopping context prioritise flavour and a suitable serving above all else. |
| Allergens | Read the ingredients list and allergen information for the exact variety, including any warnings about cross-contamination. | If I have a food allergy, I want to be able to check the information for the exact flavour and pack. Around 14% of consumers in this shopping context put allergen information first. |
Whether it’s suitable depends on the portion and when you eat it. A snack portion isn’t automatically a complete nutrition plan for a long training session.
First, plan what you need before and during your training. Then consider chips as an occasional snack, not an obvious replacement for your planned training food.
Spiciness is just one factor. A large portion and products high in fat or fibre can also affect you just before exercise.
Check the portion size and nutritional information, and take your own tolerance into account. The flavour name alone won’t tell you how well you’ll tolerate the chips.
Ingredients and allergen information can vary between varieties. Sharing a brand name or corn base doesn’t mean the label information is interchangeable.
Check the ingredients list and any cross-contamination warnings again for each flavour and pack.
Doritos Netherlands lists several flavours, including Nacho Cheese, Sweet Chilli Pepper, Cool American and Pure Paprika.
Albert Heijn lists its own Tortilla chips nacho cheese flavour.
Jumbo lists Nacho Cheese tortilla chips in 200 g and 300 g varieties.
Lidl lists nacho cheese tortilla chips under its Snack Day own-label range.
Mission Foods Europe describes tortilla chips in flavours such as Chilli, Cheese, BBQ/Paprika and Cool/Ranch.
These products are flavoured tortilla chips suited to an occasional savoury snack outside your immediate training period; they are not proven marathon fuel.
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Suitable if you’re looking for a savoury snack outside your immediate training period.
Flavour: Nacho Cheese. Net weight: 170 g.
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Suitable if you’re looking for a small pack as an occasional savoury snack.
Flavour: Sweet Chili Pepper. Net weight: 44 g.
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Suitable if you’re looking for tortilla chips with a sweet chilli flavour as an occasional snack.
Flavour: Sweet Chili. Net weight: 165 g.
Multiply the carbohydrates per 100 g shown on the label by the weight of your portion, then divide by 100. Don’t use the Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s general category value as the label value for a specific flavour.
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, most people who exercise don’t need sports drinks, bars or gels. They can be useful during prolonged, intense exercise if you need a quick source of energy and, potentially, fluids.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends eating a proper meal around 2 to 3 hours before exercise. This is general dietary guidance, and doesn’t guarantee that you’ll tolerate tortilla chips well after that amount of time.
No. Check the full ingredients list and allergen information for the exact variety. Pre-packed products should show allergen information on the label, and allergens must be clearly highlighted in the ingredients list.
