People keeping an eye on their lunch portions
You want to have tortilla chips with your lunch and know how many kcal the amount you actually eat contains. To compare, check the nutritional values per 100 g and decide how many grams you’ll have.
Who is this choice relevant to?
People comparing flavour and salt
You’re choosing between plain and seasoned tortilla chips, but don’t want to make assumptions about salt or calories based on the flavour name or a ‘light’ label. The nutritional information for the specific variety gives you a useful basis for comparison.
People checking ingredients and allergens
If an ingredient or allergen is a deciding factor for you, read the packaging on the bag you’re buying. This is also important when you’re buying a familiar flavour again or sharing the chips with others.
What should you look for when buying?
If you’re having tortilla chips with a desk lunch, decide on your portion first. Then compare the nutritional information for the varieties you’re considering, and check the ingredients and allergens if you need to.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it’s most relevant to |
|---|---|---|
| Calories per portion | Compare kcal per 100 g and calculate the kcal for the number of grams you plan to eat. | If I have chips with my lunch, I want to decide on the amount in advance rather than eat them straight from the bag without thinking; around 42% of consumers prioritise the calories in their portion. |
| Flavour, salt and ‘light’ | Compare salt and energy on the same per-100 g basis, and check what the ‘light’ label refers to. | I want to choose a flavour I like without assuming that plain, seasoned or ‘light’ means a particular nutritional value; around 33% of consumers prioritise this consideration. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients list and check the allergens highlighted on the packaging of your chosen variety. | If I need to avoid an allergen, the bag I buy must meet my needs before I eat the chips; this check is the top priority for around 25% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘light’ means ‘far fewer calories’
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre explains that the calorie difference between regular and light crisps can be small, even when the light variety contains less fat. So the label alone doesn’t tell you how many kcal are in your portion.
Compare the energy per 100 g with that of a similar regular variety, then calculate the value for the portion you plan to have.
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Confusing the stated portion with the amount you eat
Nutritional values per portion are only useful if that portion matches the amount on your plate. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives 62 kcal for an average handful of plain tortilla chips weighing 13 g; if you have more, you’ll need to recalculate.
Measure or weigh the amount you want with your lunch beforehand, then use the kcal per 100 g on the packaging to work out the value for your portion.
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Guessing the salt content from the flavour name
Plain and seasoned tortilla chips can have different nutritional values, but an average for a flavour group won’t tell you the salt content of an individual product.
Compare the salt per 100 g on the current packaging of the exact flavours you’re choosing between.
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Relying only on online product information for allergens
Ingredients and allergen information can change. Albert Heijn also points this out in its product information. If allergens matter to your choice, the packaging you buy is the final check.
Read the ingredients list and clearly highlighted allergens again, even if you’ve bought this flavour before.
Brands to consider
A brand or flavour name alone won’t tell you which tortilla chips contain the fewest calories per portion. Use these brands as a starting point to compare the specific products.
Doritos
Albert Heijn lists Doritos tortilla chips alongside other brands in its range, including a plain variety.
- Worth considering if you’re looking for a specific Doritos flavour or pack size.
- Compare each flavour using its own nutritional information; the brand name doesn’t indicate a fixed calorie value.
AH
Albert Heijn lists its own-brand tortilla chips, including a plain variety, alongside Doritos.
- Lets you compare an own-brand variety with a leading brand using the same label units.
- Albert Heijn says ingredients, nutritional values and allergen information can change, so check the packaging.
SUN SNACKS
ALDI lists SUN SNACKS tortilla chips in plain, cheese and sweet chilli flavours.
- Offers several flavours that you can compare side by side on the label.
- Don’t assume the flavour name means a difference in calories or salt; compare your chosen products per 100 g.
Mission Foods
Mission Foods lists several tortilla chip ranges on its own website, including organic, grain-free and protein chips.
- These ranges show the different types you can assess individually when comparing products.
- A product range or name doesn’t prove that a product is lower in calories; check the nutritional information for the specific product.
Tortilla chips for a measured portion
These tortilla chips suit the choice to have a regular variety with your lunch in a pre-determined amount. Compare the nutritional information per 100 g on the packaging and decide how many grams you want to eat; the products shown aren’t ranked by calorie content.
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Doritos Nacho Cheese tortilla chips, 170 g
A seasoned variety for anyone who wants to measure out an amount to have with lunch.
Pack size: 170 g. Check the kcal per 100 g for your chosen portion, and read the ingredients and allergens on the bag.
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Doritos Sweet Chilli Pepper tortilla chips, 170 g
A different flavour for anyone who wants to choose their own lunch portion and then compare the nutritional values of different varieties.
Pack size: 170 g. Decide how many grams you’ll have, then check the packaging for kcal, salt and allergens.
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g'woon Tortilla Chips Natural, 165 g
A plain variety for anyone who also wants to enjoy this flavour with lunch in a measured portion.
Pack size: 165 g. Compare kcal and salt per 100 g with the other varieties, and check the allergens on the bag you buy.
Frequently asked questions
How do I compare tortilla chips by calories for a desk lunch?
Compare the kcal per 100 g and calculate the value for the number of grams you want with your lunch. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives 62 kcal for an average handful of plain tortilla chips weighing 13 g, but for a specific flavour or brand, use the nutritional information on the packaging.
Does ‘light’ on crisps mean my portion contains far fewer calories?
No, the label alone doesn’t tell you that. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre explains that light crisps can contain less fat while the calorie difference compared with regular crisps remains small. So compare the kcal per 100 g and use the same portion size for both products.
Where can I check the allergens in tortilla chips?
Check the ingredients list on the packaging of the exact variety you’re buying. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority states that 14 allergens must be listed on the label and clearly distinguishable from other ingredients.