Doritos Whole Grain Tortilla Chips - Nutrition Facts, Pros and Cons

A Closer Look at Doritos Whole Grain Tortilla Chips

Doritos are an iconic snack brand known for bold, nacho cheese-flavored tortilla chips. In recent years, Doritos has introduced new varieties including Doritos Whole Grain tortilla chips that aim to deliver the same flavor with a healthier nutrition profile.

The Evolution of Doritos

Doritos tortilla chips were first introduced in 1964 by Frito-Lay as a more flavorful tortilla chip option. The trademark triangles and bright packaging made Doritos stand out from rival chip brands.

Over the decades, Doritos expanded from the original nacho cheese flavor to include options like Cool Ranch, Spicy Sweet Chili, and Flamin Hot. However, most Doritos varieties are made with heavily processed ingredients and provide little nutrition.

In response to growing consumer demand for healthier snacks, Frito-Lay launched Doritos Whole Grain chips in 2013. The new variety used whole grain corn as the main ingredient.

Whole Grain Nutrition Facts

Whole grains contain all three nutrient-rich parts of the grain kernel - the bran, germ, and endosperm. Refining grains removes the bran and germ, stripping away important fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

Studies show that diets high in whole grains can help lower cholesterol, control blood sugar, aid digestion, and promote weight loss. The fiber keeps you feeling fuller longer while providing energy.

The Whole Grain Council recommends making at least half your grain servings whole grain. Doritos Whole Grain tortilla chips can help contribute to that amount.

Doritos Whole Grain Ingredients

Doritos Whole Grain tortilla chips have these primary ingredients:

• Whole grain corn
• Vegetable oil (corn, sunflower, or canola)
• Maltodextrin
• Salt
• Cheddar cheese
• Whey
• Monosodium glutamate (MSG)
• Artificial colors
• Flavors
• Citric acid
• Sugar
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Buttermilk
• Romano cheese
• Whey protein concentrate
• Disodium inosinate
• Disodium guanylate

While not perfect, this is an upgrade over original Doritos, which are made with heavily refined white corn, artificial colors, and more chemical additives.

Nutrition Profile of Doritos Whole Grain

Here is the nutrition breakdown for a 1-ounce (about 15 chips) serving of Nacho Cheese Doritos Whole Grain tortilla chips:

• 150 calories
• 7g fat
• 2g saturated fat
• 290mg sodium
• 18g carbs
• 2g fiber
• 1g sugars
• 3g protein

Compared to regular Doritos, the Whole Grain version has an identical 150 calories and 18g carbs per serving. However, it provides more fiber, protein, and overall nutrition from the whole grain corn.

The Pros of Doritos Whole Grain

Here are some of the benefits that Doritos Whole Grain tortilla chips offer:

• Made with whole grains - More nutrients than refined flour
• Good source of fiber - 2g per serving
• Higher protein than regular chips - 3g per serving
• Contains less artificial colors
• Free of trans fats
• Gluten-free
• Still has the classic Doritos flavor
• Lower in sodium than original Doritos
• Non-GMO verified

The Cons of Doritos Whole Grain

However, there are some downsides to consider with Doritos Whole Grain chips:

• High in calories and fat for a serving size
• Contains MSG, artificial flavors, and citric acid
• Cooking oils may be GMO or heavily processed
• Not organic
• Still loaded with sodium - 290mg per serving
• Highly processed and not a natural product
• Addictive flavors make portion control difficult

While a step above original Doritos, the Whole Grain version is still a heavily processed snack food high in salt, fat, and artificial additives.

How Doritos Whole Grain Compares to Other Chips

Doritos Whole Grain has a very similar nutrition profile and ingredient list as other mainstream tortilla and potato chips marketed as "healthier" options.

For example, other whole grain tortilla chips like Tostitos Whole Grain have 150 calories, 7g fat, and 18g carbs per serving. Ingredients like vegetable oils, MSG, citric acid, and artificial colors are also found in most versions.

When comparing Doritos Whole Grain to regular potato chips, the Doritos offer slightly more protein and fiber, and slightly less total fat and sodium. But overall, the differences are minor.

Compared to truly natural brands like Siete Foods grain-free tortilla chips or Jackson's Honest potato chips cooked in coconut oil, Doritos Whole Grain is far more processed and artificial.

Healthier tortilla chip options:

• Food Should Taste Good Multigrain Tortilla Chips
• Late July Restaurant Style Tortilla Chips
• Garden of Eatin' Blue Corn Tortilla Chips
• Beanfields Bean and Rice Tortilla Chips

Healthier potato chip options:

• Kettle Brand Potato Chips
• Terra Exotic Vegetable Chips
• Dirty Potato Chips
• RW Garcia Sweet Potato Dippers

Who Should Choose Doritos Whole Grain?

Doritos Whole Grain tortilla chips are a good option for those who:

• Love traditional Doritos flavor
• Want a bit more nutrition than regular chips
• Need a gluten-free and vegan snack
• Enjoy the convenience of grabbing a bag at any store
• Want chips for an occasional treat or snack, not daily eating

However, those looking for truly natural, nutritious chips with no artificial additives or GMOs may want to explore healthier artisanal brands that use better oils and real food ingredients.

The Bottom Line on Doritos Whole Grain

Doritos Whole Grain tortilla chips are an incremental improvement over original Doritos. The switch from refined to whole grain corn adds more fiber, protein, and overall nutrition.

However, Doritos Whole Grain chips are still highly processed and contain artificial flavors, MSG, citric acid, and GMO vegetable oils. They pack a lot of salt, fat, and calories into each serving.

While okay for an occasional treat, Doritos Whole Grain chips should not be a daily dietary staple. There are healthier tortilla chip options available for those seeking better nutrition in snacks.

Overall, think of Doritos Whole Grain as a junk food made less junky - but still not truly nutritious or wholesome. The classic Doritos crunch and nacho flavor remains intact, but with a sprinkle of extra nutrition from whole grains.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.