Choose a bag size to suit the number of people you’re sharing with, but assess your own portion by looking at total carbohydrates, not just sugars. Among the plain varieties checked, Jumbo contains fewer carbohydrates per 100 g; Doritos Original contains less salt and is also listed in a 455 g bag. These differences don’t tell you how your blood glucose will respond, and they don’t make crisps a healthy everyday choice.
You want to join in at a get-together and work out in advance how many carbohydrates are in your own portion of crisps. You don’t choose based solely on the ‘of which sugars’ line. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre explains that carbohydrates include sugars and starch, among other things.
You’re buying crisps for a group and want to match the bag size to the number of people eating, rather than treating a large pack as a personal portion. Labels may use different portion sizes, so compare quantities on the same basis.
You want to enjoy crisps now and then and compare salt, saturated fat and fibre as well as carbohydrates. Diabetesvereniging Nederland’s dietary guidance stresses that there isn’t one eating pattern that suits everyone.
First, choose a bag size that suits the group. Then decide how much you’ll have and compare the nutritional values for the same weight.
The percentages refer to consumers choosing a sharing bag of tortilla chips while taking diabetes into account.
| What to consider | What to look for when buying | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Total carbohydrates in your own portion | Compare carbohydrates per 100 g or calculate the values for the same weight you’ll eat. Follow your personal dietary guidance rather than using a one-size-fits-all portion. | If you want to work out how many carbohydrates are in your own portion, check the total carbohydrates. Consumers who prioritise carbohydrate planning account for around 39% of those who consider diabetes when choosing a sharing bag. |
| Enough to share | Choose a net weight to suit the group and what else you’re serving. Manufacturers may use different portion sizes, so don’t compare them unless the portions weigh the same. | If you want enough crisps for everyone without treating the whole bag as your own portion, the amount needed for the group is what matters. Consumers who prioritise this account for around 23% of those who consider diabetes when choosing a sharing bag. |
| Salt, saturated fat and fibre | Compare values per 100 g. The labels from AH, Jumbo and the Pepsi Product Checker list 0.90 g, 0.90 g and 0.71 g of salt per 100 g respectively for the plain varieties checked. | If you want to consider salt and other nutritional values as well as carbohydrates, compare those figures on the same basis. Consumers who prioritise this balance account for around 23% of those who consider diabetes when choosing a sharing bag. |
| Bag size and leftovers | Choose an amount that you expect will suit the group, and follow the storage instructions on the pack once it’s open. AH Original says to close the pack securely after use. | If you want to reduce leftovers, choose a bag size that matches how much is likely to be eaten. Consumers who prioritise suitable quantities and usable leftovers account for around 15% of those who consider diabetes when choosing a sharing bag. |
This means you could overlook the total amount of carbohydrates, including starch. The label for AH Original Tortilla Chips lists 0 g of added sugars and 64 g of carbohydrates per 100 g.
Check the carbohydrates line first, then calculate the amount for the portion you’ll weigh out.
A lower amount per portion may simply be because that portion is smaller. AH lists a 25 g portion, while Jumbo lists a 30 g portion.
Compare per 100 g or calculate the figures for the same portion weight.
The size of the bag tells you how many crisps you can share; it doesn’t tell you how much you’ll eat or how many carbohydrates are in your portion.
Buy for the group, but decide on and portion out your own amount separately.
A flavour name or type of corn isn’t a substitute for the nutrition table, and doesn’t show that blood glucose will respond more favourably.
Assess the exact variety using its label, and treat the nutritional values as information about its composition, not as a claim about diabetes.
The 455 g Original variety is worth considering when you’re comparing larger sharing bags.
AH Original Tortilla Chips comes in a 200 g pack, with a stated portion size of 25 g.
Jumbo Original Tortilla Chips comes in a 300 g sharing bag and has a simple ingredients list of corn, sunflower oil and salt.
Lidl Netherlands lists Snack Day Sweet Chilli Tortilla Chips in a 300 g pack as a store product.
ALDI Netherlands lists SUN SNACKS Blue Corn Tortilla Chips as a product variety.
Mission Foods Europe lists, among other products, 500 g salted tortilla chips in round and triangular varieties.
These Joybuy products are tortilla chips to share or serve with dips; compare the variety and nutritional values with the amount you’ll eat yourself.
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The product description suggests sharing these crisps and serving them with dips. Compare the nutritional values on the pack with the amount you’ve weighed out for yourself.
The product information says that it may contain cereals containing gluten, soya and wheat; check the pack if this is important for a guest.
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The 170 g pack is a sharing option; decide on your own amount separately from the stated portion sizes.
The product information lists milk and says that it may contain cereals containing gluten, soya and wheat.
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The product description suggests sharing these crisps and serving them with dips. Use the nutritional values for the exact variety when working out your own portion.
The product information lists milk and lactose, and says that it may contain cereals containing gluten, soya and wheat.
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The product description presents these as a snack for on the go, so they’re less suited to choosing a larger sharing bag.
The product information lists cereals containing gluten, soya and wheat; check the pack if anyone has a food allergy.
There isn’t one amount that’s right for everyone with diabetes. Follow your personal dietary guidance and calculate the carbohydrates for the weight you actually eat; 25 g is used here only as a basis for comparison.
Not necessarily: check the total carbohydrates, not just the sugars. Starch is also a type of carbohydrate. For example, AH Original Tortilla Chips lists 64 g of total carbohydrates per 100 g.
No, the bag size doesn’t determine how much you eat or how many carbohydrates are in your portion. Choose a size for the group and decide on your own amount separately.
Follow the storage instructions on the exact pack. AH Original says to close the pack securely after use; Jumbo Original says to store in a cool, dry place. Don’t assume these instructions apply to other varieties.
Check the ingredients and any warnings for the exact flavour and pack. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergens must be clearly stated on the label. Product varieties may include warnings about soya, wheat or milk.
