People who put recovery first
You want to know what a snack can contribute after an intense training session, and what food or drink might work well alongside it. So consider the whole eating occasion, not just the size of the packet.
Who are these options for?
People who snack on the go
You want to be able to take a packet with you after exercise without weighing out a portion at home first. The 44 g Doritos varieties are examples of individually packed portions listed in the Dutch product range we reviewed.
People who portion their own snacks
You can weigh out a portion in advance and don’t want to treat a larger bag as a single serving. The plain tortilla chip bags from AH and Jumbo that we reviewed list 25 g portions, but they aren’t individual packets for taking with you.
What should you consider when choosing?
The percentages represent consumers considering tortilla chips as a snack to take with them after exercise; each consumer has one main purchasing priority.
| What to consider | What should you look at? | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Contribution to recovery | Check the protein and carbohydrate content for the portion you actually eat, and take into account your exercise and how long it is until your next training session. | If recovery is your priority, you’ll want to know what the whole eating occasion contributes and what else you might need. Around 36% of consumers say contribution to recovery is their main purchasing priority. |
| Taking a snack with you without preparation | Check the weight of each packet and how many packets are included in the pack. | If you want to be able to reach straight into your bag for something after exercise, individual packaging matters. Around 29% of consumers give top priority to convenience on the go. |
| Choosing your own portion | Compare the nutritional values for the same weight, then calculate them for the amount you weigh out yourself. | If you want to decide in advance how much you eat, portion size and weighing matter more than a ready-portioned packet. Around 21% of consumers put portion control first. |
| Suitability for your diet and allergies | Read the ingredients, allergen information and warnings on the packaging of the exact variety. | If ingredients or allergens limit your choice, check the specific variety before taking it with you. Around 14% of consumers say suitability for their diet is their top purchasing priority. |
Common mistakes when choosing
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Assuming cheese flavour means a protein-rich recovery snack
Jumbo lists 3 g of protein in a 44 g packet of Doritos Nacho Cheese. A cheese flavour doesn’t in itself mean that the packet can replace a complete recovery meal.
Consider the whole eating occasion and what other food and drink might work well with it.
If protein is important for your recovery, you may need other suitable food alongside the crisps.
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Comparing a serving on the label with a whole packet
The plain tortilla chip bags from AH and Jumbo that we reviewed list 25 g servings, while the Doritos portions mentioned weigh 44 g. Nutritional values per serving aren’t directly comparable as a result.
Compare the values per 100 g first, then calculate them for the amount you actually eat.
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Assuming corn-based or vegan means allergen-free
The Doritos Nacho Cheese we reviewed contains milk. AH warns that its plain variety may contain soya; a vegan label on another variety doesn’t replace checking the allergen information.
If you have an allergy, check the current ingredients list and warnings on the packaging of the exact variety you’re buying.
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Treating an individual packet, multipack and larger bag as the same purchase
An individual packet, a box of portion-sized packets and a larger bag call for different amounts and ways of portioning.
Check the number of packets and the total weight of the pack before you choose.
Brands to consider
Doritos
The Dutch product information we reviewed lists Nacho Cheese and Sweet Chili Pepper as 44 g varieties.
- Jumbo lists 27 g of carbohydrate and 3 g of protein per 44 g packet of Nacho Cheese.
- The Nacho Cheese variety we reviewed contains milk. The nutritional values listed don’t make these crisps a complete recovery meal.
- PLUS labels the 44 g Sweet Chili Pepper variety as vegan; check the information on the packaging of the variety delivered.
Albert Heijn
AH Plain Tortilla Chips 200 g are an own-brand option for portioning yourself.
- The product page we reviewed lists eight 25 g portions and describes the product as vegan, gluten-free and lactose-free.
- The bag isn’t made up of individual packets for taking with you, and it warns that the product may contain soya.
Jumbo
Jumbo Plain Tortilla Chips 170 g are an own-brand option for weighing out your own portions.
- The product information lists corn, sunflower oil and salt as ingredients, with nutritional values per 100 g and per 25 g.
- The bag isn’t a ready-to-go individual pack.
Lidl
Lidl lists Snack Day as its own brand and provides product information for 200 g bags of nacho chips.
- The product page we reviewed describes the crisps as lightly salted.
- The 200 g bag isn’t an individual packet to take with you; the lightly salted description is no substitute for checking the nutritional information.
ALDI
ALDI Netherlands lists SUN SNACKS Tortilla Chips in a 300 g bag.
- This larger bag is suitable for portioning yourself.
- The range listing doesn’t describe an individual portion to take with you; check the current product information on the packaging.
Mission
Mission Foods Europe describes a range of European tortilla chip varieties and pack sizes, including a 500 g salted variety.
- The European manufacturer’s page mentions both round and triangular chips.
- The pack mentioned isn’t an individual grab bag, and European product information alone doesn’t confirm that it’s currently stocked in Dutch shops.
Joybuy products
This selection is mostly made up of larger bags for portioning yourself, plus a 44 g packet for anyone looking for a small pack to take on the go.
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Doritos Dippers Plain, 185 g
Suitable if you want to weigh out your own portion; the bag isn’t described as containing individually packed portions.
Pack size: 185 g. The product information warns that it may contain soya.
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Doritos Sweet Chilli Pepper Tortilla Chips, 170 g
This bag is suitable for portioning yourself; it isn’t described as an individual grab bag.
Pack size: 170 g. The product information lists gluten (wheat) and soya.
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Santa Maria Original Nacho Chips, 185 g
A larger bag for weighing out your own portion, rather than an individually packed snack to take with you.
Pack size: 185 g. The product information lists soya as an allergen.
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Doritos Nacho Cheese Tortilla Crisps, 170 g
This bag is intended for choosing your own portion and isn’t an individually packed snack to take with you.
Pack size: 170 g. The product information lists milk and warns that it may contain gluten, soya and wheat.
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Doritos Sweet Chilli Pepper Tortilla Chips, 44 g
A 44 g packet to take with you if you want a small pack without weighing out a portion yourself; consider it as a snack alongside the rest of your eating occasion.
Pack size: 44 g.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to eat a special recovery snack straight after every training session?
No, not after every session. According to the Dutch Association of Sports Nutrition Experts, the need to replenish your energy depends on the exercise you’ve done. It may be more relevant after intense or prolonged exercise, especially if you’re training again soon.
Do I automatically need a protein shake with tortilla chips?
No, a protein shake isn’t automatically necessary. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says recreational athletes don’t need protein shakes or bars; first consider whether ordinary food meets your needs.
How should I store crisps that I’ve portioned out myself?
Follow the storage instructions on the specific packaging. For the AH plain variety we reviewed, the instructions say to seal the pack properly after use; Jumbo Plain and Doritos say to store in a cool, dry place.
What information should I check on a pre-packed bag of crisps?
Check the ingredients, allergen information, net quantity, nutritional values and any storage or usage instructions. The European Union explains this information for food labels; the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) notes that allergens that must be declared should be clearly indicated in the ingredients list. If you have an allergy, check the packaging of the exact variety.
Does the term ‘post-workout recovery’ prove that crisps help with recovery?
No, the term or the presence of protein doesn’t in itself prove that a product has a specific effect. The NVWA says that nutrition and health claims must comply with European rules; assess the product information and your whole eating occasion separately.