Snackers who want to keep portions in check
You want to keep taking tortilla chips with you, but avoid eating a large amount without realising. For this choice, portion weight matters more than a small difference in kcal per 100 g.
Who is this choice relevant to?
People who pack their snacks in advance
You prepare a portion at home and want to store the rest properly. So check how you can reseal the pack after opening and follow the storage instructions for that variety.
People who snack just before training
You want to time your snack around your training session. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against having a large portion or foods high in fat, protein or fibre just before exercise; spicy food can cause discomfort for some people.
What should you look for when buying?
First decide how much you want to take with you, then compare the labels per 100 g. Also consider when you’ll eat them, and check for ingredients or warnings that matter for your diet.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Calories per portion | Compare kcal per 100 g and weigh out the amount you’re taking with you. Count any dip separately. | If I want to keep my snack in check, I weigh out how many grams to put in my bag first. Around 36% of consumers in this context prioritise the energy content of their portion. |
| Preparing and storing | Check the pack weight, the portion size shown on the label and the storage instructions. Reseal the rest after use as directed on the label. | When I prepare portions at home, I also want to know how to store the rest. Around 29% of consumers give taking food with them and storing it top priority. |
| When you eat them | Decide when you’ll eat them. If you’re snacking just before exercise, also check the fat content, portion size and spice level. | If I eat something shortly before training, I want it to fit the timing of my session. Around 21% of consumers prioritise when they have their snack. |
| Diet and allergens | Read the ingredients, dietary information and warnings on the pack of the exact variety. | If a dietary requirement or allergen warning is relevant to me, I check the specific pack. Around 14% of consumers make this compatibility their main consideration. |
Common buying mistakes
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Mistaking a small portion for a low-energy product
A weighed portion can provide less energy than a larger amount, while regular tortilla chips still exceed the European threshold for a ‘low energy’ claim per 100 g.
Compare kcal per 100 g, then calculate the energy in the amount you actually weigh out. Don’t describe a smaller portion as a low-energy product.
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Comparing label portions with different weights
Albert Heijn lists a 25 g portion for the plain variety checked, while Jumbo lists a 30 g portion. Any difference in the figures per portion may therefore be down to the amount.
First compare products on the same basis, such as per 100 g or for the same portion weight.
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Confusing a low sugar value with low calories
Jumbo lists 0.6 g of sugars per 100 g for the Naturel variety checked, but also 481 kcal per 100 g. One nutritional value doesn’t tell you the energy content of the snack as a whole.
Compare the energy value itself, and also consider portion size, fat and salt.
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Assuming every corn chip is suitable for a gluten-free diet
Doritos Naturel tortilla chips 170 g states that the product may contain soya and wheat (gluten). So the fact that the main ingredient is maize doesn’t tell you whether there are warnings for the exact variety.
If you have a relevant dietary requirement, always check the ingredients and allergen information on the pack you’re buying.
Brands and varieties to compare
Doritos
The Naturel variety checked is a useful reference if you’re looking for a plain flavour and want to compare labels per 100 g.
- Albert Heijn lists 470 kcal and 0.71 g of salt per 100 g for Doritos Naturel tortilla chips 170 g.
- The variety states that it may contain soya and wheat (gluten). Other flavours and pack sizes may not have the same ingredients or information.
Albert Heijn
AH Tortilla chips naturel 200 g is a supermarket own-brand variety with a label portion you can use when weighing out portions at home.
- Albert Heijn lists 470 kcal per 100 g and a 25 g portion. The product information describes the variety as gluten-free and vegan.
- The product information also warns that it may contain soya. The portion shown on the label is not a personal dietary recommendation, and it doesn’t make the chips low in energy.
Jumbo
Jumbo Tortilla Chips Naturel 300 g gives nutritional values per 100 g and per label portion.
- Jumbo lists 481 kcal per 100 g and ten portions according to the label.
- The 30 g label portion is not the same as the 25 g portion Albert Heijn lists for its variety checked. Calculate the figures using the same weight for a fair comparison.
Lidl
Lidl sells tortilla chips under the Snack Day brand; its Dutch product page describes a 300 g sea salt variety.
- The product information identifies the flavour variety and pack size.
- Sea salt flavour doesn’t mean the product carries a calorie claim. Compare the nutrition table on the pack of the variety you choose.
ALDI
ALDI lists SUN SNACKS Tortillachips 300 g in its Dutch range and also mentions blue corn tortilla chips.
- The product listings help you identify the relevant product range and variety.
- Blue corn on its own doesn’t mean a product contains fewer calories. Use the label for the exact variety to make a comparison.
Mission
Mission Foods Europe describes a European range of tortilla chips in round and triangular shapes, with a choice of flavours.
- The product range information describes different shapes and flavour varieties.
- This information alone doesn’t give the nutritional values for a specific Dutch variety. Compare the label of the product you have in front of you.
Tortilla chips at Joybuy
These Joybuy products are tortilla chips you can weigh out at home to take with you; pack weights and varieties differ.
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Doritos Dippers Naturel 185 g
You can divide the 185 g pack into a weighed portion at home to take in your gym bag.
Variety: Naturel. Pack weight: 185 g.
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Santa Maria Tortilla Chips Salted 475 g
The 475 g pack lets you weigh out an amount at home to take with you.
Variety: Salted. Pack weight: 475 g.
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Santa Maria Nacho Chips Original 475 g
You can divide the 475 g pack at home if you want to take a weighed portion with you.
Variety: Original. Pack weight: 475 g.
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Doritos Sweet Chili Pepper Tortilla Chips 44 g
The 44 g pack is a small size to take with you; check the label and decide how much you want to eat.
Variety: Sweet Chili Pepper. Pack weight: 44 g.
Frequently asked questions
Are regular tortilla chips low in energy if I only have a small bowl?
No. A smaller portion reduces the energy in the amount you eat, but it doesn’t change the energy value per 100 g. According to the European Commission, solid foods must contain no more than 40 kcal (170 kJ) per 100 g to carry a low-energy claim; the plain varieties checked list 470–481 kcal per 100 g. This claim requirement is not a mandatory calorie limit for your snack.
What does ‘reduced energy’ mean on a pack?
According to the European Commission, the energy content must be reduced by at least 30%, and the characteristic responsible for the reduction must be stated. A different flavour, type of corn or portion size doesn’t prove that the energy has been reduced.
How can I prepare a comparable portion at home for my gym bag?
Choose an amount in grams, weigh it out and calculate using kcal per 100 g × portion weight in grams ÷ 100. For example, don’t compare a 25 g label portion directly with a 30 g portion as if they were the same amount. Reseal the rest after use and follow the storage instructions on the pack.
Are tortilla chips a good choice just before training?
Not necessarily: the Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against having a large portion or foods high in fat, protein or fibre just before exercise. According to Albert Heijn and Jumbo, the plain varieties checked list 20–22.2 g of fat per 100 g. Consider when you’re eating and how much you have.
Can I rely on the words ‘corn chips’ if I have a gluten or soya allergy?
No. Check the ingredients and warnings on the pack of the exact variety. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that allergens must be listed on the label. For the Doritos Naturel variety checked, Albert Heijn states that it may contain soya and wheat (gluten); for AH Tortilla chips naturel, the product information describes it as gluten-free while also warning that it may contain soya. These details apply to the specific varieties.