Parents looking for a snack for their baby
With baby-led weaning, your baby picks up food themselves. That doesn’t make salted tortilla chips a suitable snack: the Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against giving babies foods containing salt.
Who is this choice for?
Hosts with a baby and other guests
You can put a bag of chips out for everyone else while offering your baby something different. Decide who the chips are for before serving them, and keep your baby’s snack separate.
Households checking allergens
The fact that corn is an ingredient doesn’t tell you everything about allergens. Albert Heijn labels AH Tortilla chips naturel as gluten-free; the product information for Doritos Naturel says it may contain wheat (gluten) and soya. Check the current packaging of the variant you choose.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, decide who will be eating the chips. Pack size and information for other diners only matter if the chips aren’t intended as a snack for your baby.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Suitable as a snack for your baby | Check whether the chips contain salt. Don’t choose salted tortilla chips as a snack for your baby: the Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against giving babies foods containing salt. | When my baby is learning to eat independently, I don’t want a snack for guests to be offered as a baby snack too. Around 60% of consumers put suitability as a baby snack first. |
| Sharing with guests | Compare the net weight and any serving-size information for the people who will be eating the chips. A stated serving size isn’t a portion for a baby. | When I’m hosting, I want to put out enough chips without letting the baby join in. Around 20% of consumers put sharing with guests first. |
| Allergens and labelling | Read the ingredients and allergen information on the pack you choose. If you’re taking the chips to school or childcare, check the venue’s policy too. | If someone needs to avoid wheat, gluten or soya, I want to know what’s on this particular pack. Allergen information is the main concern for around 20% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming an easy-to-grab chip is suitable for a baby
Being able to pick something up doesn’t mean it’s suitable to eat. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against giving babies foods containing salt.
Keep salted tortilla chips for everyone else and choose a separate food for your baby.
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Assuming corn chips are always gluten-free
Labelling varies by product: AH Tortilla chips naturel is labelled gluten-free, while the product information for Doritos Naturel says it may contain wheat (gluten).
If you have an allergy or intolerance, check the current packaging of the exact variant you’re serving.
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Using the serving size on the bag as a portion for your baby
The serving-size information on a bag of chips helps you estimate how much to buy for guests; it doesn’t help you choose baby food.
Use it only as a guide for the people you’re buying the chips for.
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Relying only on an online ingredients list
When checking allergens, the information on the pack you actually have is what matters.
Check the label again before serving, especially if someone needs to avoid certain ingredients.
Brands compared
These product examples can help you compare chips for guests; none of the salted varieties mentioned are suitable as a snack for your baby.
Albert Heijn
AH Tortilla chips naturel is an own-brand option in a 200 g pack.
- Albert Heijn labels this variant gluten-free and lists 0,90 g of salt per 100 g.
- The stated serving sizes and gluten-free label don’t make these salted chips suitable as a snack for your baby.
Jumbo
Jumbo Tortilla Naturel is an own-brand option in a 170 g bag.
- Jumbo lists corn, sunflower oil and 0,9% salt in the ingredients.
- Check the pack you choose for the people at the table; these salted chips aren’t suitable as a snack for your baby.
Doritos
The product information for Doritos Naturel refers to a 170 g bag.
- The product page lists 0,71 g of salt per 100 g.
- According to the product information, this variant may contain soya and wheat (gluten). Check the current packaging if this matters to anyone eating them.
Lidl (Snack Day)
Lidl lists Snack Day Tortillachips zeezout in a 300 g bag.
- The stated pack size can help you plan how many chips to buy for guests.
- Check the packaging itself for the salt and allergen information for this sea salt variant.
Tortilla chips for guests on Joybuy
These chips are suited to a snack occasion for everyone else, with a separate snack for your baby. Compare pack sizes if you’re buying for a group; don’t use any of these salted varieties as a snack for your baby.
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Santa Maria Nacho Chips Original – 475 g
A bag for a snack occasion with other guests; keep the chips separate from your baby’s snack.
The pack contains 475 g. Check the current ingredients and allergen information before serving.
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Santa Maria Tortilla Chips Salted – 475 g
These salted chips are for other guests, not as a snack for your baby.
The pack contains 475 g. Read the label to compare the salt content, and check the allergen information before sharing.
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Doritos Dippers Naturel – 185 g
A smaller bag of chips for everyone else; offer your baby a separate food.
The pack contains 185 g. Check the current allergen information if anyone needs to avoid certain ingredients.
Frequently asked questions
Are salted tortilla chips suitable for baby-led weaning?
No, not as a snack for a baby starting solids. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against giving babies foods containing salt, so serve the chips only to everyone else and choose a separate food for your baby.
Are tortilla chips a suitable snack for a toddler, then?
A big bag of salted chips isn’t an obvious choice for a toddler. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against giving toddlers and pre-schoolers foods high in salt, including snacks.
Do tortilla chips always contain gluten?
No, it depends on the variant. Albert Heijn labels AH Tortilla chips naturel as gluten-free, while the product information for Doritos Naturel says it may contain wheat (gluten). If you have an allergy or intolerance, check the current packaging of the product you’re buying.
What should I bear in mind when young children are having a snack?
Stay with young children while they eat; the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends this to help reduce the risk of choking. Supervision doesn’t change the advice not to give salted tortilla chips to your baby as a snack.
How should I store an opened bag of tortilla chips?
Follow the storage instructions on the pack you choose. Albert Heijn advises sealing the pack tightly after use; Jumbo says to store its Tortilla Naturel in a cool, dry place.