Protein-conscious snackers
You want to know how much protein your snack actually adds, so you compare the nutrition table with the amount you eat, rather than relying on the product name alone.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Snackers who like to be prepared
You want to take a separately sealed bag with you when you’re out, without having to weigh out crisps or transfer them to your own container beforehand.
Shoppers who portion snacks themselves
You’d rather buy a larger bag and divide it up at home for different snack breaks. Pack size and the amount you weigh out yourself are important considerations.
What should you look for when buying?
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Protein content | Check the nutrition information for the exact flavour and variety, both per 100 g and for the amount you eat. | I want to know how much protein my snack portion actually provides, rather than judging by the flavour name. Around 34% of consumers give protein content top priority. |
| Taking it with you without weighing it out | Check whether you’re buying one individual bag, a multipack of small bags or one larger pack. | I want to take a sealed snack with me without having to prepare it first. Around 33% of consumers value grab-and-go convenience most. |
| Portion size and energy | Compare products at the same weight and work out the nutrition information for your own portion. | I want to decide in advance how many crisps I’ll eat and what their nutritional values are, even if I have to weigh them out myself. Around 20% of consumers prioritise control over portion size. |
| Cost per snack break | Check the number of bags and the net weight, then compare the same quantity in grams. | I want to manage the cost of regular snack breaks and don’t mind portioning them myself if needed. Around 13% of consumers give this consideration top priority. |
Common buying mistakes
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Assuming a small bag provides a lot of protein
A handy pack doesn’t, by itself, tell you how much protein it contains. Manufacturer information for a 44 g bag of Doritos Nacho Cheese lists 3 g of protein and 211 kcal per bag.
Check both the grams of protein and the energy in the whole pack you plan to eat.
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Comparing a calculated portion with a whole bag
Jumbo lists a 30 g portion of Plain Tortilla Chips as containing 2.3 g of protein and 144 kcal. A 44 g bag of Doritos is a larger amount, so the values per portion aren’t directly comparable.
Start with the values per 100 g, then work them out for the weight of your own snack. The European Commission states that nutrition information must be given per 100 g or 100 ml.
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Taking cheese flavour or added protein as the full nutritional picture
Albert Heijn describes its cheese-flavoured nacho crisps as containing 1.2% cheese powder; this recipe detail doesn’t tell you how much protein your portion provides. Mission Foods mentions added pea and rice proteins in a US product variety, but this still doesn’t replace the nutrition table on the exact pack.
Assess the ingredients and nutrition information separately, and check the conditions that apply to any nutrition claim made about the product.
Brands to consider
Doritos
A good option if you want to take an individual bag of Nacho Cheese with you without weighing out a portion first.
- PepsiCo Netherlands manufacturer information, published via PS in foodservice, lists 3 g of protein and 211 kcal per 44 g bag.
- These figures apply to this specific flavour and pack; the ingredients include milk products.
Albert Heijn
AH Cheese-flavoured Nacho Crisps come in a larger pack for portioning at home.
- Albert Heijn’s product information describes corn crisps with 1.2% cheese powder.
- The flavour and cheese powder don’t replace the nutrition information for the portion you eat.
Jumbo
Plain Tortilla Chips are worth considering if you want to weigh out portions yourself from a larger bag.
- Jumbo lists 7.7 g of protein per 100 g and 10 calculated 30 g portions; each portion contains 2.3 g of protein and 144 kcal.
- The ten portions aren’t ten individual grab-and-go bags.
Lidl
Snack Day Sea Salt Tortilla Chips are an option if you’re looking for a sea salt flavour.
- Lidl’s Dutch product information confirms the product range and flavour.
- The flavour name alone doesn’t tell you how much protein the crisps contain; check the nutrition table on the pack.
Aldi
The Dutch Sun Snacks listing describes a 300 g pack of tortilla chips.
- The pack weight is worth noting if you’re looking for a larger pack and plan to portion it yourself.
- A larger pack doesn’t mean the crisps are individually wrapped or fortified with extra protein.
Mission
The US Protein Chips range is worth considering if you’re specifically looking for tortilla chips with added plant protein.
- Mission Foods lists 10 g of protein per serving for its US range; the Jalapeño variety is described as containing pea and rice protein.
- This manufacturer information applies to a US product range and doesn’t confirm the nutrition information, labelling or availability of a Dutch variety.
Tortilla chips at Joybuy
These Joybuy product options are larger packs of tortilla chips. Compare the information for the exact variety and weigh out your own snack portion.
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Doritos Dippers Plain, 185 g
The 185 g pack lets you weigh out your own snack portion.
The product information lists milk products; check the ingredients and allergen information on the pack.
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Doritos Nacho Cheese, 272 g
This larger pack is a good choice if you plan to portion the crisps yourself rather than take a small sealed bag with you.
The product information lists 9–10 servings; check the serving size and nutrition information on the exact pack. The ingredients information lists milk, soya and wheat.
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Santa Maria Salted Tortilla Chips, 475 g
The 475 g pack is for anyone who wants to decide how much to have at each snack break.
The allergen information lists soya; check the information on the pack you receive.
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Santa Maria Original Nacho Chips, 185 g
The 185 g pack lets you weigh out an amount to take with you.
The allergen information lists soya; check the ingredients and allergen information on the exact pack.
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Doritos Nacho Cheese Tortilla Crisps, 170 g
The 170 g pack is suitable if you want to portion the crisps yourself and don’t need a small bag to take with you.
The product information lists 5–6 servings. The ingredients information lists milk products; check the exact pack.
Frequently asked questions
How do I compare nutrition information when one pack gives values per serving and another gives them for a whole bag?
First compare the values per 100 g, then work them out for the amount you eat: multiply the value per 100 g by your portion weight in grams, then divide by 100. A 30 g serving and a 44 g bag aren’t the same amount.
Does a pack stating ten servings mean it contains ten individual bags to take with you?
No. Jumbo lists ten calculated servings in one 300 g pack of Plain Tortilla Chips. By contrast, Makro describes Doritos Nacho Cheese 20 x 44 g as twenty individual bags.
Are cheese-flavoured tortilla chips automatically suitable if I need to avoid milk?
No. The 44 g pack of Doritos Nacho Cheese checked contains milk products, including whey powder and buttermilk powder. If you have an allergy, check the ingredients list and allergen information on the exact pack; the NVWA says allergens must be clearly listed on the label.
Can I rely on US information about Mission Protein Chips when buying in the Netherlands?
No. Check the nutrition information and labelling for the product version actually being sold. Mission Foods’ figure of 10 g of protein per serving applies to its US product range and doesn’t replace the information on a Dutch pack.
Can an online shop simply describe tortilla chips as high in protein or beneficial to your health?
No. The NVWA and the European Commission state that nutrition and health claims must comply with the relevant European rules and conditions. So check the nutrition information for the exact variety and don’t treat a claim as a substitute for it.