Snackers looking to cut down on fat
You want to eat less fat while enjoying a drink with friends, so you’re looking for a substantiated product claim and comparable nutritional values. Assess fat and energy separately.
Who is this guide for?
Portion-conscious hosts
You want to keep serving crisps, but measure out a sensible amount. Nutritional values for the portion you actually serve are more useful than a claim on the front of the pack alone.
Dippers and sharers
You’re looking for tortilla chips to serve with dips and want to choose a pack size that suits how you’ll serve them and the number of people you’re hosting.
What should you look for when choosing?
A substantiated reduced-fat claim
A good fit if: lower fat in the product itself is your main priority.
Bear in mind: check energy and salt separately too; the claim doesn’t tell you everything about the nutritional value.
A smaller portion of regular crisps
A good fit if: you mainly want to control how much you eat and serve a regular variety.
Bear in mind: a smaller portion doesn’t change the nutritional make-up of the crisps.
Crisps to serve with dips
A good fit if: dipping is the main event at your get-together.
Bear in mind: a description such as ‘suitable for dipping’ doesn’t prove a reduced fat content or independently measured sturdiness.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Less fat in the product | Compare the claim and fat content per 100 g on the exact pack. | If less fat is my top priority, I want to be able to compare the claim and nutritional values. Around 31% of consumers put demonstrably lower fat first. |
| Energy in your portion | Compare kcal per 100 g and weigh the amount you serve. | If I want to measure out my snack portion carefully, I look at the energy in the amount that actually goes into my bowl. Around 25% of consumers put energy and portion size first. |
| Serving with dips | Check whether the product description mentions dipping and choose a flavour that goes well with your dips. | If I’m serving crisps with dips, I want a variety that suits the occasion. Around 19% of consumers put dipping first. |
| Salt and allergens | Compare salt per 100 g and read the allergen information on the exact pack. | If salt or a specific allergen requirement determines my choice, I check the packaging for both the crisps and the dips. Around 13% of consumers put suitability first. |
| Quantity and leftovers | Choose a net weight that suits your serving plans and follow the storage advice after opening. | If I’m buying for a group, I want to choose an amount that suits how I plan to serve it. Around 12% of consumers put pack size and useful leftovers first. |
Common buying mistakes
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Assuming less fat means fewer calories
A lower fat content doesn’t automatically mean a proportionally lower energy value. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre notes that, in general, the difference in calories between light crisps can be small; this isn’t a measurement of every tortilla chip variety.
Compare energy and fat on the same per-100 g basis, then calculate the figures for the weight of your own portion.
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Taking ‘plain’ or ‘corn chips’ as a nutritional claim
A flavour name or main ingredient doesn’t substantiate that a product contains less fat.
Check the nutrition table and the claim on the pack rather than relying on the flavour name.
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Buying a large bag without a plan for leftovers
Once opened, crisps can lose their crunch. For crisps in general, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends storing them in a kitchen cupboard for 2–5 days.
Choose a net weight that suits what you plan to serve and follow the storage advice on the pack.
Brands to help you compare
Doritos
Doritos Netherlands lists flavour varieties such as Nacho Cheese, Sweet Chilli Pepper, Cool American, Naturel and Lime. This can help you choose a flavour for a get-together, but doesn’t confirm the availability of a reduced-fat variety in the Netherlands.
- The Dutch product page gives examples of available flavour names.
- A separate US Reduced Fat variety isn’t proof of the composition or availability of a Dutch variety.
Albert Heijn
AH Tortilla chips naturel is a Dutch plain-flavour option for comparison. Albert Heijn recommends checking the packaging, as product information can change.
- The product name offers a plain option to consider.
- ‘Naturel’ on its own doesn’t substantiate a claim that the product contains less fat.
Jumbo
Jumbo describes its Tortilla Chips Naturel 300 g as salted corn chips and mentions dipping as a serving suggestion.
- The product description specifically mentions serving with dips.
- The retailer’s description isn’t an independent measurement of sturdiness and doesn’t confirm a reduced-fat claim.
Lidl
The Lidl product page lists Tortilla chips sweet paprika as a flavour variety.
- The product name makes the flavour variety easy to identify.
- The flavour name alone doesn’t prove a lower fat content; check the exact pack to assess this.
Mission
Mission Foods Europe describes tortilla chips in a range of shapes and for different uses, including snacks, dips and nachos.
- The European product range description offers a choice of shapes and uses.
- The product range description doesn’t substantiate a reduced-fat claim or confirm stock at Dutch retailers.
Tortilla chips for sharing and dipping
This selection features tortilla chips and other crisp varieties for party snacks and dips. The product titles and descriptions can help you choose a flavour or find an option for dipping, but they don’t substantiate a reduced-fat claim. Check the nutritional information on the exact pack for that.
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Doritos Dippers Naturel 185 g
The product description suggests serving these with dips, salsa and guacamole; check the pack for the nutritional values of this variety.
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g'woon Sweet Chili Tortilla Chips 165 g
The product description suggests serving these at parties, sharing and dipping; check the exact pack if fat content is important to your choice.
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Doritos Cool American Tortilla Chips 272 g
The product description suggests sharing or enjoying these as a snack on their own; use the nutritional values on the pack to assess a portion.
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Doritos Nacho Cheese Tortilla Crisps 170 g
The product description suggests serving these with dips at get-togethers; check the allergen information for both the crisps and the dips.
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Doritos Sweet Chili Pepper Tortilla Chips 44 g
This flavour variety could be part of a selection of party snacks; check the nutritional values on the pack if you’re looking for a lower-fat option.
Frequently asked questions
Does ‘low fat’ mean the same as ‘reduced fat’?
No. According to the European Commission, the ‘low fat’ claim for solid foods applies to products containing no more than 3 g of fat per 100 g. Meeting this threshold doesn’t in itself prove that a product qualifies for a reduced-fat claim; check the claim and nutritional values on the exact pack.
How do I calculate the fat in my own portion?
Multiply the fat content per 100 g shown on the pack by the weight of your portion in grams, then divide by 100. You can use the same calculation for kcal. If you want to assess the whole snack, include any dips separately.
What should I check if a guest has a food allergy?
Read the allergen information on the exact packs for both the crisps and the dips. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that allergens must be clearly stated on the label. Don’t assume a product is suitable based on its flavour name or main ingredient.
How long can you keep an opened bag of crisps?
For crisps in general, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends storing them in a kitchen cupboard for 2–5 days and notes that they may lose their crunch. Also follow the storage advice on the pack for your variety.