Calorie-conscious crisp snackers
You want to enjoy tortilla chips without losing track of the energy in your snack. Compare the same quantities, then work out what your portion contributes. A smaller portion isn’t the same as a low-calorie recipe.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Protein-conscious snackers
You want to know how much protein your snack actually adds. Compare protein and energy on the same basis, and consider the chips alongside a separate source of protein.
Label-conscious snackers
You want the exact variant to suit your ingredient preferences or an existing food allergy. Check the packaging: PepsiCo states that Doritos Naturel may contain soya and wheat.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether the energy in your portion or its protein contribution matters more to you. Then compare the values per 100 g and work them out for the amount you eat.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who is this important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Energy in the snack | Compare kcal per 100 g for the exact variants; weigh your portion and count any dip separately. | If I want to match my snack portion to my energy intake, I look at both the recipe and my portion size. Around 36% of consumers prioritise managing their energy intake. |
| Protein in relation to energy | Compare grams of protein and kcal per 100 g; check that the values are for the same variant and weight basis. | If I want to know how much protein the chips contribute, I compare that value with the energy in my portion. Around 36% of consumers prioritise protein contribution. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the information on the packaging for the exact variant, and check any dips you add too. | If I need to take an allergy, coeliac disease or ingredient preference into account, I check every part of my snack. Around 14% of consumers prioritise ingredient suitability. |
| Portioning and storage | Keep the pack weight separate from your own portion size and follow the storage advice on the packaging. | If I buy chips for several snacking occasions, I want to be able to portion and store them easily. Around 14% of consumers give practical use the highest priority. |
Common buying mistakes
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Mistaking a smaller portion for low-calorie chips
You’ll get less energy if you eat less, but that doesn’t change the composition per 100 g. For solid foods, the European Commission sets a maximum of 40 kcal per 100 g for a ‘low energy’ claim.
First compare the values per 100 g, then work them out for your weighed portion.
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Taking ‘Protein’ as proof of low calories
Protein and energy are separate nutritional values. A protein claim doesn’t, on its own, tell you how much energy a product provides. A product from another country isn’t necessarily the same as the one sold in the Netherlands, either.
Check both values on the label for the exact variant and compare them on the same basis.
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Counting only the chips when you have them with dip
The nutritional values for the chips don’t automatically include the dip, cheese or other additions.
Work out the energy and protein in each item separately, then add them together for the combination you eat.
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Assuming plain or corn chips don’t contain relevant allergens
The product name doesn’t rule out allergens. PepsiCo states that Doritos Naturel may contain soya and wheat.
If you have an existing allergy or coeliac disease, read the information on the packaging for the exact chip variant and any dips.
Brands to consider
Doritos
A Dutch retailer’s product page lists Doritos Naturel 185 g; the US Doritos Protein Nacho Cheese is a separate variant.
- Flink lists 470 kcal, 6.5 g of protein and 0.71 g of salt per 100 g for Doritos Naturel 185 g. These are figures from a retailer’s product page, not an independent laboratory measurement.
- At 470 kcal per 100 g, this Naturel variant doesn’t meet the EU condition for a ‘low energy’ claim for solid foods. PepsiCo states that it may contain soya and wheat.
Albert Heijn
AH Tortilla chips naturel is a supermarket own-brand option.
- The product page confirms the product name and advises customers to read the packaging.
- The product information alone doesn’t support a conclusion that it is low in energy or high in protein.
Jumbo
Jumbo lists Tortilla Chips Naturel in a 300 g pack.
- Jumbo describes the chips as salted corn chips and suggests serving them with dip.
- The product description isn’t an independent test of their sturdiness and says nothing about their nutritional suitability. Jumbo advises storing this variant in a cool, dry place.
Lidl
Lidl Netherlands has a product page for Tortilla chips sweet paprika.
- The product page confirms the product name as a variant to check on the label.
- The name or its appearance on a website isn’t a nutrition table and doesn’t support a conclusion about energy or protein.
ALDI
ALDI lists SUN SNACKS Tortillachips and has a separate product page for blue corn tortilla chips.
- The range information describes relevant product types available from the retailer.
- The words ‘blue corn’ alone don’t prove that a variant contains less energy or more protein.
Mission
Mission’s European catalogue describes standard tortilla chips in a range of shapes and flavours.
- The catalogue includes salted triangles and rounds in a 500 g pack.
- A European catalogue doesn’t confirm current stock in the Netherlands. The US Protein Chips is a separate product line, not a confirmed Dutch variant.
Tortilla chips at Joybuy
These Joybuy products are standard tortilla chips. You can compare them using the information on the packaging and work out the values for your own portion.
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Doritos Dippers Naturel, 185 g
A good choice if you want to weigh out a portion of standard tortilla chips and work out what it contributes. Compare the energy and protein per 100 g on the packaging.
Pack weight: 185 g.
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Santa Maria Nacho Chips Original, 475 g
A good choice if you want to weigh out a portion of nacho tortilla chips and work out the nutritional values for your serving. Check the energy and protein per 100 g on the packaging.
Pack weight: 475 g.
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Santa Maria Tortilla Chips Salted, 475 g
A good choice if you want to weigh out a portion of salted tortilla chips and work out the values for your serving. Compare the energy and protein per 100 g on the packaging.
Pack weight: 475 g.
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Santa Maria Original Nacho Chips, 185 g
A good choice if you want to portion out nacho tortilla chips and work out the nutritional values for the amount you eat. Check the values per 100 g on the packaging.
Pack weight: 185 g.
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Doritos Nacho Cheese Tortilla Crisps, 170 g
A good choice if you want to portion out nacho cheese-flavoured tortilla chips and work out what your serving contributes. Compare the energy and protein per 100 g on the packaging.
Pack weight: 170 g.
Frequently asked questions
When can a product be called low-calorie in the Netherlands?
For solid foods, the European Commission sets a maximum of 40 kcal (170 kJ) per 100 g for a ‘low energy’ claim. So a small portion with few calories doesn’t automatically make a product low in calories. For a claim that a product has reduced energy, the European Commission specifies an energy reduction of at least 30%, with the characteristics responsible for the reduction stated.
How do I work out the nutritional values for my own portion?
Multiply each value per 100 g by the weight you eat, then divide by 100. Based on the 470 kcal and 6.5 g of protein per 100 g listed by Flink for Doritos Naturel 185 g, a 30 g portion works out at 141 kcal and 1.95 g of protein. This is a calculation example, not a recommended portion; it doesn’t include any dip.
How much protein is in a handful of standard tortilla chips?
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists 0.9 g of protein per 13 g handful of tortilla chips, across various flavours. This is a general food reference, not a value that applies to every pack. Use the label for the exact variant you’re buying.
Are plain corn chips automatically suitable if I need to avoid gluten?
No, don’t assume so from the product name. PepsiCo states that Doritos Naturel Tortilla Nacho Chips 185 g may contain soya and wheat (gluten). If you have coeliac disease or a relevant allergy, check the information on the exact pack and consider any dips too.
How should I store tortilla chips?
Follow the storage advice on the packaging for your chosen variant. For Tortilla Chips Naturel 300 g, Jumbo advises storing them in a cool, dry place. This doesn’t provide a general storage period for other products once opened.