Mindful portion planners
You want to take tortilla chips with you to enjoy alongside your coffee and keep an eye on the energy in your snack. Compare like-for-like amounts and choose a portion that suits your preferences.
Who might find this choice useful?
On the go, without repacking
You’d rather take the original packaging than weigh out chips at home. Check the net weight: a small bag doesn’t automatically contain the amount you want to eat.
Snackers with dietary requirements
Your choice may also depend on ingredients, dietary suitability or allergens. Albert Heijn states that the plain chips examined are gluten-free and vegan; the Doritos Naturel examined may contain soya and wheat or gluten. Always check the exact packaging.
What should you look for when buying?
First compare the nutritional information per 100 g, then decide how many grams you want with your coffee. Next, consider whether an original pack or a dietary claim suits your needs.
| Consideration | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Portion and energy | Compare kcal per 100 g and decide how many grams you want to eat. | If I want to keep track of how many chips I have with my coffee, I prefer to choose a portion I can weigh out myself. Around 46% of consumers prioritise the energy content of their own portion. |
| Ease of taking with you | Check the net weight and whether you can reseal the pack after opening. | If I don’t want to repack chips when I’m out, I check the bag size and think about what to do with the rest once it’s open. Around 36% of consumers give top priority to convenience when taking snacks with them. |
| Dietary needs and allergens | Read the ingredients list and allergen information for the exact flavour and pack. | If a dietary requirement or allergy affects my choice, I check the label on the exact product I want to buy. Around 18% of consumers prioritise whether a product suits their diet. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming a small bag means low-calorie chips
The pack weight and the energy value per 100 g are two different things. Eating a smaller amount may mean fewer calories, but that doesn’t make the product itself low in calories.
Check both the kcal per 100 g and how many grams you plan to eat.
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Comparing portions from different retailers directly
Albert Heijn lists a 25 g portion for the plain chips examined; Jumbo lists a 30 g portion for the plain chips examined. So differences per portion may be down to the different portion weights.
Compare the same amount of chips before looking at the nutritional values side by side.
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Assuming organic means fewer calories
The organic plain chips from Albert Heijn examined list 485 kcal per 100 g, compared with 470 kcal per 100 g for the regular plain version examined.
Make your choice about organic products separately from your comparison of nutritional values.
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Assuming a corn base means there are no allergens
The plain products examined have different dietary information and warnings. Albert Heijn lists its plain chips as gluten-free; Doritos Naturel may contain soya and wheat or gluten.
Check the ingredients and any allergen warnings on every flavour and pack. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains how allergens are listed on food labels.
Brands to consider
Doritos
The 185 g Doritos Naturel Tortilla Nacho Chips examined are salted corn chips that you can eat on their own or pair with a dip.
- The Jumbo product page lists 470 kcal, 6.2 g of fibre and 0.71 g of salt per 100 g.
- This product may contain soya and wheat or gluten. The nutritional values apply to this product, not the whole brand.
Albert Heijn
The range includes the 200 g plain chips examined, as well as a separate 150 g organic plain version.
- The product page for AH plain chips lists 470 kcal per 100 g, a 25 g portion, and the claims gluten-free and vegan.
- The organic plain version lists 485 kcal per 100 g. Both versions examined may contain soya.
Jumbo
The 300 g own-brand Tortilla Chips Naturel examined are intended to be split across several snack occasions.
- The Jumbo product page lists 481 kcal, 5.9 g of fibre and 0.90 g of salt per 100 g, with ten 30 g portions.
- For a smaller snack portion, you’ll need to weigh it out yourself and store the remaining chips.
Lidl
Lidl Netherlands lists Tortilla chips sweet paprika in a 60 g bag.
- The small original pack may suit you if you don’t want to repack your snacks at home.
- The pack size alone says nothing about the energy value. Check the nutritional information on the exact pack to compare.
Aldi
ALDI Netherlands lists SUN SNACKS Tortilla Chips, 300 g, in its crisps range.
- The bag size could be a useful option for splitting into several snack portions yourself.
- A 300 g pack doesn’t mean fewer calories. Check the nutritional information for the specific flavour and product.
Mission
Mission Foods Europe describes tortilla chips in round and triangular shapes, with flavours including Salted, Cheese and Chilli.
- The European product information gives examples of different shapes and flavours.
- European range information doesn’t confirm that a specific product is available in the Netherlands or is low in calories.
Tortilla chips at Joybuy
This product selection includes regular tortilla chips to portion yourself, plus a smaller original pack to take with you.
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Doritos Dippers Naturel - 185 g
Suitable if you want to weigh out your own portion of plain tortilla chips at home.
Pack weight: 185 g.
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Santa Maria Nacho Chips Original - 475 g
Suitable if you want to split a larger pack into snack portions of your choice.
Pack weight: 475 g.
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Santa Maria Tortilla Chips Salted - 475 g
Suitable if you want to split a larger pack into snack portions of your choice.
Pack weight: 475 g.
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Doritos Sweet Chili Pepper Tortilla Chips - 44 g
Suitable if you’d rather take a small original pack with you than repack chips at home.
Pack weight: 44 g.
Frequently asked questions
When can a product be described as low in calories in the Netherlands?
For solid foods, the European Commission sets a maximum of 40 kcal (170 kJ) per 100 g for the ‘low energy’ claim. This claim requirement doesn’t determine how much you should have as your own snack portion.
How do I calculate the energy in my own portion?
Multiply the kcal per 100 g by the number of grams you eat, then divide by 100. For example, 25 g of a product with 470 kcal per 100 g contains 117.5 kcal. Add any dip or other extras separately.
Does ‘reduced energy’ mean the same as low in calories?
No. According to the European Commission, a European ‘reduced energy’ claim requires a reduction of at least 30%, with the reason for the reduction stated. A small difference between regular tortilla chips doesn’t support this claim.
Are tortilla chips automatically gluten-free because they’re made from corn?
No, you can’t tell just from the fact that they’re made from corn. Albert Heijn lists the plain chips examined as gluten-free, while Doritos Naturel may carry a warning for wheat or gluten. Check the label on the exact product; the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains allergen labelling.
How should I store the rest of an opened bag?
Seal the pack well after use. Jumbo and Doritos recommend storing the products examined in a cool, dry place; also follow the instructions on the pack you have.