A larger bag of tortilla chips is ideal for sharing at home or enjoying over several snack breaks, but it isn’t automatically a suitable portion just before a workout. If you’re eating shortly before training, it’s better to have a small amount and check the nutritional information for your chosen flavour. The Voedingscentrum advises against having a large portion just before exercise, and recommends avoiding foods high in fat, protein or fibre, as these can stay in your stomach for longer and cause discomfort.
If several people are eating from the same bag, or you’re splitting the chips across several occasions, the pack size and the amount you have each time are two separate decisions. Jumbo and ALDI both offer 300 g bags of tortilla chips.
If there’s little time between eating and exercising, the portion matters more than the size of the bag. The Voedingscentrum advises against having a large portion just before exercise and recommends avoiding foods high in fat, protein or fibre.
If you’re choosing a product because of an allergy or dietary preference, check the exact flavour. Doritos Nacho Cheese, for example, lists milk; AH Biologisch Tortilla chips naturel carries a warning that it may contain soya. Check the current packaging.
First, think about when and who you’ll be eating the chips with. Then compare the pack size with the portion you actually want, and check the nutritional information and allergen details for the exact variant.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who should pay particular attention? |
|---|---|---|
| Pack size and sharing | Check how many grams are in the bag and think about how many people or snack occasions you’ll be sharing it between. | I want to share one bag at home without treating the whole thing as one serving. Around 36% of consumers prioritise sharing. |
| Timing before your workout | Adjust your portion to the time you have before exercising, and check the fat and fibre content on the label. | If I’m going to exercise shortly after eating, I don’t want a large portion that might feel heavy. This timing matters most to around 29% of consumers. |
| Portion and salt | Compare the nutritional value with the portion you’re planning to have; a bag containing several portions isn’t automatically a single-serving pack. | I want to decide in advance how much I’ll eat and how much salt that amount contains. This is the main consideration for around 21% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients, allergen information and any ‘may contain’ statement on the exact product packaging. | If I have an allergy or dietary preference, I need to know whether this particular flavour is suitable. Around 14% of consumers give checking the label the highest priority. |
The pack size and the amount you eat aren’t the same thing. The Voedingscentrum advises that a large portion is less suitable just before exercise, especially if it’s high in fat, protein or fibre.
If you want to eat shortly before your workout, put a small amount in a bowl before you start.
Ingredients vary by flavour. Jumbo lists milk in Doritos Nacho Cheese, while AH Biologisch Tortilla chips naturel carries a warning that it may contain soya.
Check the ingredients list and ‘may contain’ statement on the packaging you’re actually using.
The nutritional value of that portion also varies by product. Albert Heijn lists 1.1 g of salt per 100 g for Doritos Pure Paprika; a different flavour or amount will need its own calculation.
Check the salt per 100 g and calculate how much that means for the amount you plan to eat, even if you’re having a dip with it.
The own-label range includes 300 g bags of tortilla chips in original and cheese flavours.
ALDI lists 300 g bags of Sun Snacks tortilla chips in original, cheese and sweet chilli flavours.
AH Biologisch Tortilla chips naturel is a 150 g option with a published ingredients list and nutritional information.
Doritos offers original and flavoured varieties; Jumbo also lists Nacho Cheese in a pack of 20 individual 44 g bags.
Mission Foods Europe describes tortilla chips in a range of flavours and pack formats.
These bags vary in size and flavour. A larger bag may suit sharing at home; if you’re having chips shortly before a workout, decide on a small portion yourself and check the information for your chosen variant.
Image unavailable
This bag can be shared or enjoyed over several snack breaks.
Pack size: 272 g. Measure out a portion yourself if you’re eating shortly before exercise, and check the allergens on the current packaging.
Image unavailable
The 475 g bag is ideal for sharing or enjoying over several occasions, as long as you measure out the amount you want.
Check the portion size and allergens for this variant on the packaging.
Image unavailable
This larger bag is an option if you’re sharing the chips at home with several people or saving them for another occasion.
Pack size: 475 g. If you’re snacking just before exercise, serve yourself a small portion and check the salt and allergens on the label.
Image unavailable
Choose this flavour only if you like sweet chilli; if you’re having it before a workout, decide on a small portion yourself.
Pack size: 272 g. Check the current packaging if the ingredients, spicy seasonings or allergens are important to your choice.
Image unavailable
This bag is smaller than the 475 g packs shown here, but it still isn’t automatically a single snack portion.
Pack size: 185 g. Measure out the amount you want and check the ingredients and allergens on the packaging.
A small portion can make a snack, but it’s best not to have a large amount just before exercise. The Voedingscentrum also advises avoiding foods high in fat, protein or fibre at this time, as they can stay in your stomach for longer and cause discomfort. Check the nutritional information for your chosen chips and consider how long you have before your workout.
A large bag is most useful if you’re sharing it or saving some for another occasion. If you only want a small snack before your workout, serve yourself a portion first; a large pack doesn’t automatically help you control your portion.
No. Check the exact flavour and the current packaging. Jumbo lists milk in Doritos Nacho Cheese, while Albert Heijn says AH Biologisch Tortilla chips naturel may contain soya. Even an original variety may not suit everyone without checking the label.
Use the nutritional information on the packaging for the exact variant, and compare values on the same basis, such as per 100 g or per portion. Albert Heijn warns that product information can change, so check the label before eating the chips.
