Who is this relevant to?

Anyone comparing calories and portion sizes

You want to serve tortilla chips with lunch without guessing the amount. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends comparing similar products per 100 g; then decide how much to put in a bowl or lunchbox.

Parents who see chips as an extra

You’re looking for something crunchy to add to a school holiday lunch, but don’t want chips to replace the meal. For a child’s lunch, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends using foods from the Wheel of Five as the basis.

Anyone who needs to check ingredients or allergens

You want to know whether a particular flavour and any dip are suitable for you. Check both packs separately; according to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergen information for pre-packed foods must be shown on the label.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide what role the chips will play in the lunch. Then compare similar chips per 100 g and only after that choose how much to serve.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Calories and portion size Compare the calories per 100 g of similar chips. Then decide how many grams you want to serve. I want to be able to serve chips without losing track of the amount; the figure per manufacturer’s serving doesn’t tell me enough. For around 45% of consumers, planning calories and portion sizes comes first.
Role in the lunch Choose the other parts of the lunch first, then decide whether chips would work as a measured extra. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends using foods from the Wheel of Five as the basis for a child’s lunch. When I’m putting together a child’s lunch, I don’t want a bowl of chips to replace the meal. Maintaining that balance is the main concern for around 36% of consumers.
Nutritional information and ingredients As well as calories, check sugars, saturated fat and salt per 100 g. Check the ingredients and allergens in the chips and dip separately. If I’m choosing a different flavour or dip, I want to know what’s in it before serving, especially if an allergen is involved. Ingredients and allergens are the top priority for around 19% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming ‘plain’ means ‘fewer calories’

    A flavour name doesn’t tell you the nutritional value. Jumbo lists its Tortilla Naturel 170 g at 481 kcal per 100 g; even with plain chips, the amount you eat matters.

    Compare the energy per 100 g on the pack, then decide on your own portion size.

  • Comparing products only per 100 g

    The figure per 100 g makes products easier to compare, but it doesn’t tell you how many calories are in your bowl. Serving sizes on packs can also vary.

    Measure out your chosen amount before serving and use the weight of that portion to work out the figures for yourself.

  • Judging a product by its calorie figure alone

    Energy content on its own doesn’t tell you about the rest of the nutritional information. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre also recommends checking sugars, fats and salt when reading labels.

    Compare these values within the same type of product and consider which differences matter for your choice.

  • Not checking the dip or a different flavour

    A dip and a different variety of chips each have their own ingredients. If you have an allergy, checking one pack previously doesn’t mean you can skip checking another product.

    Before serving, read the latest allergen information on each pack separately.

Brands compared

A brand name doesn’t tell you which variety has fewer calories. Always compare the exact flavour and pack.

Doritos

A brand with a range of flavours and pack sizes, as shown by Jumbo.

  • There are several flavours to compare.
  • The flavour and pack size don’t prove that the calories are different; check the label on the variety you choose.

Albert Heijn

A supermarket own brand to compare with other tortilla chips in Albert Heijn’s range.

  • Albert Heijn has its own Tortilla chips naturel product page, among other products.
  • Albert Heijn says ingredients and nutritional information may change, so check the pack you buy.

Jumbo

A supermarket own brand with a plain variety whose nutritional information is available.

  • Jumbo lists its Tortilla Naturel 170 g at 481 kcal and 0,90 g salt per 100 g.
  • These figures apply to that variety and don’t tell you about the nutritional value of other Jumbo flavours.

Lidl / Snack Day

Lidl lists a Snack Day variety of tortilla chips in Cool Cream flavour.

  • If you’re considering this flavour, you can compare the pack directly with other varieties.
  • Base calorie comparisons on the nutritional information for the exact pack, not the flavour name.

ALDI / SUN SNACKS

ALDI lists SUN SNACKS tortilla chips in plain, cheese and sweet chilli flavours.

  • These flavours give you different varieties to assess by checking each label.
  • Don’t assume all three flavours have the same nutritional values.

Mission

An international tortilla chip brand; Mission Foods lists products including Rounds and Strips.

  • If you find a pack of Mission chips, you can assess the exact variety by checking its ingredients and nutritional information.
  • International product information isn’t a basis for claims about a Dutch label or availability.

Tortilla chips at Joybuy

These Santa Maria packs are options if you want to serve tortilla chips as a measured extra with lunch. The difference in pack weight doesn’t determine how much you serve each time; choose that amount yourself and check the latest nutritional information on the pack.

Santa Maria Nacho Chips Original, 475 g pack

Santa Maria Nacho Chips Original · 475 g

A pack to serve from when you want to offer chips as a measured extra. It contains 475 g; check the nutritional information and allergens for this variety before choosing your portion.

View at Joybuy
Santa Maria Original Nacho Chips, 185 g pack

Santa Maria Original Nacho Chips · 185 g

A different pack size if you want to serve chips as an extra with lunch. It contains 185 g; decide on your portion separately, and check the latest nutritional information and allergen details.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Are tortilla chips suitable as a complete school holiday lunch?

Don’t use tortilla chips as a replacement for the main part of a child’s lunch. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends using foods from the Wheel of Five as the basis; if you add chips, decide on the portion in advance and compare the nutritional information for the variety you’ve chosen.

How do I compare the calories in two bags of tortilla chips?

First compare the calories per 100 g for the same type of product, then decide how many grams of each you want to serve. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre uses the figure per 100 g as a basis for comparison; different serving sizes suggested by manufacturers can give a misleading impression.

Should I check sugars, fats and salt as well as calories?

Yes. If these values are relevant to your choice, also check sugars, fats, saturated fat and salt per 100 g. As the Netherlands Nutrition Centre points out when comparing labels, one figure doesn’t tell you everything about a product’s nutritional information.

How do I check allergens in chips and dip?

Read the current label on the chips and on each dip separately, even if you’re switching to a different flavour. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergen information for pre-packed foods must be shown on the label.