Label checkers
You want to compare the fat content in the same amount of chips and check what any ‘light’ claim refers to. The Voedingscentrum advises checking whether a ‘light’ claim refers to energy, fat or sugar.
Who is this a good choice for?
Hosts keeping an eye on portions
You want to serve familiar tortilla chips but decide how much each guest gets, using weighed-out bowls or individual portions. A smaller portion doesn’t make the chips themselves lower in fat.
Hosts catering for dietary requirements
You’re catering for different dietary requirements and want to check the allergen information on the pack you’ve chosen. If you’re serving perishable dips, you’ll also need to check their storage instructions.
What should you look for when choosing?
First compare the nutritional content per 100 g, then decide how many grams you want to serve. This helps you distinguish between a different recipe and a smaller portion.
| What to consider | What to look for when buying | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Fat content of the chips | Compare the grams of fat per 100 g for the exact variety and check what any ‘light’ claim refers to. | If you want less fat in the same amount, compare the labels per 100 g. Around 36% of consumers prioritise this fat comparison. |
| Amount per guest | Weigh the portion and use the nutritional values per portion for the exact product. | If your main aim is to decide how many chips go in each bowl, portion size is key. Around 29% of consumers prioritise portion control. |
| Flavour and serving | Check the flavour variety and whether the product description mentions serving with dips or using for nachos. | If you’re mainly looking for chips to share with dips, consider the flavour and how they’re served. Around 21% of consumers prioritise flavour and sharing. |
| Dietary requirements and storage | Read the allergen information on the pack and follow the storage instructions for the chips and dips separately. | If guests’ dietary requirements or safe serving are your main concerns, check the labels and storage advice. Around 14% of consumers prioritise these considerations. |
Common mistakes
-
Assuming ‘light’ means fewer calories
A ‘light’ claim may refer to energy, fat or sugar. The name alone doesn’t tell you which nutritional value has been reduced.
Check what the claim refers to on the pack and compare the fat and energy content for the same amount.
-
Confusing a small bag with a lower-fat recipe
A small pack can help you divide out portions, but it doesn’t change the fat content per 100 g. Sligro lists 29 g of fat per 100 g for Doritos Bits honey barbecue; the multipack contains 30 g bags.
Check the label for the exact variety to see whether it contains less fat, and use the portion weight to work out how much you’re serving.
-
Applying the storage instructions for chips to fresh dips
Dry chips and highly perishable dips don’t necessarily need to be stored in the same way. Jumbo advises keeping its plain chips in a cool, dry place; the Voedingscentrum advises not leaving highly perishable food out of the fridge for more than two hours.
Check the dip’s instructions separately, serve smaller amounts and put the rest back in the fridge promptly.
Brands and product ranges to consider
Doritos
Plain tortilla chips and Bits honey barbecue are different product options, not evidence of a lower-fat alternative.
- Sligro lists Bits honey barbecue in a pack of 30 x 30 g bags, which makes it easy to portion in advance.
- The same product information lists 29 g of fat per 100 g. The chips may also contain soya and wheat, so check the pack for allergen information.
Albert Heijn
AH Plain Tortilla Chips are a supermarket own-brand option to compare with other plain tortilla chips by checking the label.
- The official product page identifies the plain variety.
- Albert Heijn warns that ingredients, nutritional values and allergy information may change. Check the pack of the variety you buy.
Jumbo
Jumbo Plain Tortilla Chips come in a 300 g own-brand pack.
- Jumbo describes the chips as suitable for dipping and advises storing them in a cool, dry place.
- The product description mentioning dips says nothing about a lower fat content.
Lidl
Lidl Netherlands lists Tortilla Chips Sweet Paprika as a seasoned option.
- The product name offers an alternative to plain chips if you’re looking for a seasoned variety.
- The flavour name alone doesn’t tell you anything about the fat content.
ALDI
ALDI lists SUN SNACKS Tortilla Chips in a 300 g pack.
- The product range page confirms the product line and pack size.
- A 300 g pack isn’t an individual portion and doesn’t tell you whether the chips contain less fat.
Mission
Mission Foods Europe describes tortilla chips in round and triangular shapes, with a range of flavours and pack sizes.
- The manufacturer suggests serving them as a snack, with dips or as nachos.
- This European product information doesn’t confirm a specific variety sold in the Netherlands or a lower fat content.
Tortilla chips at Joybuy
These are regular tortilla chips and nacho crisps for portioning or serving with dips; they are not confirmed lower-fat varieties.
No image available
Doritos Dippers Plain, 185 g
According to the product description, these plain tortilla chips are designed for dips and nachos, so you can weigh out portions for a garden party.
The product information lists 20 g of fat per 100 g. This is above the Voedingscentrum’s threshold of no more than 3 g per 100 g for a low-fat food.
No image available
Santa Maria Nacho Chips Original, 475 g
The larger bag can be divided into weighed portions for guests or served in a sharing bowl.
The product information lists 20 g of fat per 100 g. This is above the Voedingscentrum’s threshold of no more than 3 g per 100 g for a low-fat food.
No image available
Santa Maria Original Nacho Chips, 185 g
This pack is an option if you want to share nacho crisps with dips and decide how much to serve.
The product information lists 20 g of fat per 100 g. This is above the Voedingscentrum’s threshold of no more than 3 g per 100 g for a low-fat food.
No image available
Doritos Nacho Cheese Tortilla Crisps, 170 g
The product description suggests serving them with dips and gives 5–6 portions of around 30 g per pack.
The product information lists 22 g of fat per 100 g. This is above the Voedingscentrum’s threshold of no more than 3 g per 100 g for a low-fat food.
No image available
Doritos Sweet Chilli Pepper Tortilla Chips, 44 g
The 44 g pack can be offered to each guest individually if you want to portion everything in advance.
The product information lists 22 g of fat per 100 g. This is above the Voedingscentrum’s threshold of no more than 3 g per 100 g for a low-fat food.
Frequently asked questions
How do I work out how much fat is in my bowl of chips?
Multiply the fat content per 100 g on the pack by the weight of your portion, then divide by 100. Use the nutritional values for the exact variety; the Voedingscentrum’s general value for plain tortilla chips isn’t specific to any brand.
How should I store chips and dips during a garden party?
Follow the instructions for each product separately: Jumbo advises storing its plain chips in a cool, dry place. According to the Voedingscentrum, don’t leave highly perishable food out of the fridge for more than two hours, and put dips back in the fridge as directed by their storage instructions.
Are vegan chips automatically suitable for someone with a wheat or soya allergy?
No. The product information for Doritos Bits honey barbecue says the chips may contain soya and wheat, despite being labelled vegan. If you’re serving someone with an allergy, check the information on the pack you’re serving.
Can I assume that an imported pack labelled ‘Reduced Fat’ is the Dutch equivalent of a ‘light’ product?
No. A claim on an imported pack doesn’t prove what a claim for the Dutch market refers to. Check which nutritional value is being compared on the exact pack and what it’s being compared with; don’t judge the fat or energy content by the name alone.
What does ‘low fat’ mean for tortilla chips?
The Voedingscentrum defines a low-fat solid food as containing no more than 3 g of fat per 100 g. Compare this threshold with the nutritional value for the exact variety; the general guidance isn’t an assessment of a specific pack.