Snacks, tortilla chips, nacho cheese
Whole food · Snacks
These are crispy, golden corn tortilla chips generously coated in a savory, tangy nacho cheese powder. The texture is a satisfying crunch that gives way to a salty, umami-rich cheese flavor that's intensely addictive. Nutritionally, they are a calorie-dense snack, providing a significant energy boost primarily from carbohydrates and fats.
Calorie split: 6% protein · 47% carbs · 48% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love them for the perfect marriage of a salty, cheesy, and slightly spicy flavor profile with an unbeatable crunchy texture. They are a cultural staple for casual gatherings, game days, and movie nights, offering instant comfort and shareable enjoyment.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The high sodium and fat content can contribute to bloating and is a consideration for those monitoring heart health or blood pressure. The refined carbs and low protein can lead to blood-sugar spikes and may not provide lasting satiety. To counteract this, pair them with a protein-rich dip like guacamole (which adds healthy fats) or a bean dip, practice strict portion control by measuring a single serving, and drink water to help manage sodium intake.
Key benefits
- Provides a quick source of energy from carbohydrates.
- Contains some dietary fiber from the corn base.
- Offers a small amount of plant-based protein.
- Convenient, shelf-stable, and portable snack.
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The iconic nacho cheese flavor powder often contains a blend of whey, cheddar cheese cultures, and buttermilk solids, but its signature orange hue is typically derived from annatto, a natural seed extract.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 1.7 g |
| Energy | 519 kcal |
| Energy | 2173 kj |
| Protein | 7.4 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 27.4 g |
| Ash | 2.8 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 60.8 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 5.1 g |
| Total Sugars | 2.6 g |
| Starch | 53.2 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 137 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 1.2 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 75.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 252 mg |
| Potassium, K | 223 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 691 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 1.4 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.10 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.33 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 7.4 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.40 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.15 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.14 mg |
| Niacin | 1.3 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.36 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.22 mg |
| Folate, total | 13.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 13.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 13.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 22.5 mg |
| Betaine | 1.2 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 6.0 ug |
| Retinol | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 35.0 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 8.0 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 55.0 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 112 iu |
| Lycopene | 33.0 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 769 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 6.2 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Tocopherol, beta | 0.23 mg |
| Tocopherol, gamma | 13.6 mg |
| Tocopherol, delta | 0.43 mg |
| Tocotrienol, alpha | 0.80 mg |
| Tocotrienol, beta | 0.00 mg |
| Tocotrienol, gamma | 0.31 mg |
| Tocotrienol, delta | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3), International Units | 0.00 iu |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 1.3 ug |
| Vitamin K (Dihydrophylloquinone) | 0.50 ug |
| Vitamin K (Menaquinone-4) | 0.00 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 3.9 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.02 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.02 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.02 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.03 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.04 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.11 g |
| SFA 15:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 2.9 g |
| SFA 17:0 | 0.02 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.56 g |
| SFA 20:0 | 0.11 g |
| SFA 22:0 | 0.04 g |
| SFA 24:0 | 0.04 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 9.1 g |
| MUFA 14:1 | 0.01 g |
| MUFA 15:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.05 g |
| MUFA 16:1 c | 0.04 g |
| MUFA 17:1 | 0.01 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 8.9 g |
| MUFA 18:1 c | 8.8 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.12 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 22:1 c | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 24:1 c | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 12.3 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 12.0 g |
| PUFA 18:2 n-6 c,c | 11.8 g |
| PUFA 18:2 CLAs | 0.02 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.27 g |
| PUFA 18:3 n-3 c,c,c (ALA) | 0.26 g |
| PUFA 18:3 n-6 c,c,c | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 18:3i | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:2 n-6 c,c | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 20:3 | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 20:3 n-3 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:3 n-6 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans | 0.18 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans-monoenoic | 0.03 g |
| TFA 16:1 t | 0.00 g |
| TFA 18:1 t | 0.03 g |
| TFA 22:1 t | 0.00 g |
| TFA 18:2 t not further defined | 0.05 g |
| TFA 18:2 t,t | 0.10 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans-polyenoic | 0.15 g |
| Cholesterol | 0.00 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
| Tryptophan | 0.07 g |
| Threonine | 0.28 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.30 g |
| Leucine | 0.88 g |
| Lysine | 0.29 g |
| Methionine | 0.16 g |
| Cystine | 0.13 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.37 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.32 g |
| Valine | 0.40 g |
| Arginine | 0.39 g |
| Histidine | 0.24 g |
| Alanine | 0.50 g |
| Aspartic acid | 0.54 g |
| Glutamic acid | 1.5 g |
| Glycine | 0.29 g |
| Proline | 0.68 g |
| Serine | 0.37 g |
| Hydroxyproline | 0.00 g |
FAQ
Are nacho cheese tortilla chips gluten-free?
Most are, as they are primarily made from corn. However, always check the label for potential cross-contamination or added ingredients containing wheat, especially in the cheese seasoning.
Why do they stain your fingers orange?
The cheese powder contains fat-soluble colorants like annatto or paprika extract. These pigments easily transfer to the oils on your skin, creating the temporary orange stain.
Can I make them at home?
Yes! You can fry or bake corn tortilla wedges until crispy, then toss them with a homemade seasoning blend of nutritional yeast, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and a pinch of salt for a healthier version.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 5.19 kcal/g · 6% calories from protein · 5.1 g fiber · 2.6 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 3.10 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.