Shoppers comparing protein content
If you want a crunchy snack that contributes protein, compare the protein and energy declarations on the same basis. A product name alone does not tell you how much protein your portion provides.
Who this choice matters to
Shoppers watching portion size
If you prefer conventional tortilla chips, check how many grams the stated serving contains and how many servings are in the bag. The figure for one serving may not describe the amount you plan to eat.
Shoppers checking allergens
Protein-focused formulations can contain or carry warnings about ingredients that matter to you. ASDA lists soya for The Curators BBQ chips, while M&S says its smoked-paprika red-lentil tortillas are unsuitable for people with sesame or soya allergy.
What to check before buying
Start with protein and energy per 100 g, then check the portion you expect to eat and the current pack’s allergen statement.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Protein and energy | Compare both figures per 100 g, then compare protein in your intended serving. ASDA Groceries lists 4.8 g protein and 477 kcal per 100 g for its lightly salted maize chips; its listing for The Curators BBQ chips gives 28 g and 427 kcal per 100 g. | I want the chips themselves to contribute protein, rather than treating every tortilla-style snack as equivalent. |
| Portion size | Check serving weight, servings per pack and energy for the amount you intend to eat. ASDA Groceries lists 107 kcal for one-eighth of its 180 g lightly salted tortilla-chip pack. | A serving printed on a sharing bag might be smaller than the portion I would put in a bowl. |
| Allergen suitability | Read the ingredients and allergen statement on the current pack, including any precautionary wording. ASDA lists soya for The Curators BBQ chips; M&S identifies sesame and soya allergy restrictions for its popped red-lentil tortillas. | If I need to avoid an allergen, I cannot rely on a vegan label or the main ingredient alone. |
| Type of snack | Check whether you are comparing maize tortilla chips, popped red-lentil tortillas or another type of chip. Use the nutrition declaration, not the category name, to compare them. | I may want ordinary chips alongside another food, or I may want the chips to provide some of the protein in the snack. |
Common buying mistakes
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Calling chips low-calorie because one serving looks small
ASDA Groceries lists 107 kcal for one-eighth of its 180 g lightly salted tortilla-chip pack, alongside 477 kcal per 100 g. The serving figure does not describe a larger portion.
Check the serving weight in grams and compare energy for the amount you expect to eat.
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Assuming maize and lentil chips provide similar protein
ASDA Groceries lists 4.8 g protein per 100 g for its lightly salted maize chips and 28 g per 100 g for The Curators BBQ chips. M&S lists 24.8 g per 100 g for its popped red-lentil tortillas.
Compare protein per 100 g and per intended serving if you want the chips to contribute protein.
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Using vegan or gluten-free wording as an allergen check
The Curators BBQ product contains soya, and M&S states that its smoked-paprika red-lentil tortillas are unsuitable for people with sesame or soya allergy.
Read the current pack’s ingredients and allergen statement for the exact product you intend to serve.
Relevant brand and product references
The Curators
The Curators BBQ lentil tortillas are an option to compare when protein from the chips is part of the decision.
- ASDA Groceries lists 28 g protein and 427 kcal per 100 g for this product.
- ASDA’s allergen declaration lists soya.
M&S
M&S lists both popped red-lentil tortillas and lightly salted maize tortillas, allowing a product-level comparison.
- M&S declares 24.8 g protein and 439 kcal per 100 g for its smoked-paprika popped red-lentil tortillas, versus 5.5 g protein and 481 kcal per 100 g for its lightly salted tortillas.
- M&S says the red-lentil product is unsuitable for people with sesame or soya allergy.
ASDA
ASDA Lightly Salted Tortilla Chips are a conventional maize option for comparing portions with protein-focused chips.
- ASDA Groceries lists 107 kcal for one-eighth of the 180 g pack.
- The same listing declares 4.8 g protein per 100 g, so check another food separately if you want protein in the snack.
Sainsbury's
Sainsbury's Tortilla Chips offer another conventional product for checking serving size and nutrition figures.
- Sainsbury's lists 496 kcal and 6.0 g protein per 100 g.
- Its 30 g serving contains 1.8 g protein; compare that serving weight with the amount you intend to eat.
Doritos
Doritos Chilli Heatwave is a flavoured tortilla-chip reference rather than a substitute for checking protein and energy figures.
- The Joybuy listing declares 478 kcal and 6.4 g protein per 100 g for the 180 g product.
- That listing says the product may contain milk, soya, wheat and gluten.
Joybuy lentil and hummus chip options
These lentil and hummus chips offer alternatives to conventional maize tortilla chips. Check each pack’s nutrition and allergen information if protein contribution or portion size is driving your choice.
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Eat Real Sea Salt Lentil Chips 95g
For a lentil-chip alternative to maize tortilla chips, compare the pack’s protein and energy figures per 100 g before deciding whether it fits your snack.
Sea salt variety; 95g pack. Check the current allergen statement before eating.
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Eat Real Tomato & Basil Hummus Chips 110g
If you want a flavoured alternative to maize tortilla chips, use the pack’s protein and energy declarations to assess the portion you intend to eat.
Tomato and basil variety; 110g pack. Check the current allergen statement before eating.
Questions about tortilla chips
How much protein do ordinary tortilla chips provide?
It varies by product, so check the label rather than assuming all tortilla chips have similar figures. ASDA Groceries lists 4.8 g protein per 100 g for its lightly salted chips, and Sainsbury's lists 6.0 g per 100 g for its tortilla chips; ASDA lists 28 g per 100 g for The Curators BBQ lentil tortillas.
How do I compare calories when serving sizes differ?
Compare kcal per 100 g first, then calculate or check the figure for the amount you intend to eat. ASDA Groceries lists 107 kcal for one-eighth of a 180 g lightly salted tortilla-chip pack, while its listing for The Curators BBQ chips gives 150 kcal for 35 g; those serving figures describe different quantities.
Which allergen details matter for protein-focused tortilla chips?
Check the exact pack’s ingredients and allergen statement, including any “may contain” wording. ASDA lists soya for The Curators BBQ chips, and M&S says its smoked-paprika popped red-lentil tortillas are unsuitable for people with sesame or soya allergy.
Which label figures help with this choice?
Compare energy and protein per 100 g, then check the serving weight and the figures for the portion you plan to eat. Read the current pack for ingredients and allergen information; a front-of-pack product description does not replace those details.