Tortilla chips, nacho cheese flavor (Doritos)
Common food
Photo: Wikipedia
Doritos Nacho Cheese are bold, triangular corn tortilla chips engineered for maximum crunch, coated in a vibrant orange dust of savory, tangy, and mildly spicy cheese flavoring. Each bite delivers a satisfying shatter followed by a salty, umami-rich punch. Nutritionally, they are a dense energy source, packing nearly 520 kcal per 100g, primarily from refined carbohydrates and fats.
Calorie split: 6% protein · 47% carbs · 48% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love them for their intensely satisfying, craveable flavor profile that hits salty, savory, and cheesy notes perfectly. They are a cultural staple for casual gatherings, game days, and movie nights, offering a familiar and nostalgic comfort snack.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The high sodium, refined carbs, and added fats can contribute to blood-sugar spikes and are not ideal for those managing hypertension or diabetes. To counteract this, pair them with a protein-rich dip like bean dip or guacamole to slow digestion, practice strict portion control (e.g., a single serving in a bowl), and drink plenty of water to help manage sodium intake.
Key benefits
- Provides quick energy from carbohydrates
- Contains a small amount of plant-based protein from corn
- Offers dietary fiber, though less than whole-grain alternatives
- Convenient, shelf-stable, and requires no preparation
- Can be part of a balanced diet when portion-controlled
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The Doritos brand was inspired by the fried tortillas served at a restaurant in Disneyland's Mexican-themed attraction, Casa de Fritos.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 1.7 g |
| Energy | 519 kcal |
| Protein | 7.4 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 27.4 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 60.8 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 5.1 g |
| Total Sugars | 2.6 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Lycopene | 33.0 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 769 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 6.2 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 1.3 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 16:0 | 2.9 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.56 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 9.1 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.05 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 8.9 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.12 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 12.3 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 12.0 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.27 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 0.00 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
Estimated from Snacks, tortilla chips, nacho cheese — USDA does not publish this profile for Tortilla chips.
| 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 Doritos gluten-free?
While the corn chips themselves are typically gluten-free, Doritos are manufactured in facilities that handle wheat. Always check the specific product's label and allergen statement for the most accurate information.
Why are they so addictive?
Their design hits a 'bliss point' of salt, sugar, and fat, creating a hyper-palatable flavor that encourages repeated consumption. The crunchy texture also provides a satisfying sensory experience.
Can I use them in cooking?
Absolutely! Crushed Doritos make a popular, flavorful crust for baked chicken or fish, and they are a key ingredient in dishes like Walking Tacos and Dorito Casserole.
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.