The Nutritional Fried Tortilla Chips

Fried tortilla chips are a staple at many Mexican restaurants where they are served with salsa as a complimentary treat. These are a fried version of the corn tortillas used to make tacos, enchiladas and other Mexican classics. Fried tortilla chips are high in fat and carbohydrates but relatively low in protein, so eating too many is not an ideal dietary choice.

Calories

Fried tortilla chips are relatively calorie-dense, as 1 ounce contains 138 calories, or about 7 percent of the daily recommended intake of 2,000. If you're dieting, it could take a long time to burn the calories in these chips through exercise. For example, it would take 38 minutes of weightlifting or 28 minutes of playing volleyball to burn 138 calories.

Fat

As with other fried foods, fried tortilla chips are high in fat. Each 1-ounce serving contains 7 grams of fat. Eating too many high-fat foods can impair your attempts to manage your weight, as fat is the most calorie-dense nutrient. Fat also promotes satiety and can provide energy and help your body absorb vitamins.

Carbohydrates

Fried tortilla chips are high in carbohydrates. Each 1-ounce serving of the chips contain 19 g of carbohydrates. This nutrient is your body's primary source of energy, but consuming too many carbohydrates and too little protein can be detrimental for your body composition. A study from the March 2011 edition of "Nutrition & Metabolism" found that diets rich in carbohydrates and low in protein were more likely to cause fat storage and less likely to produce muscle gain.

Fiber

One benefit of the carbohydrate content in fried tortilla chips is the inclusion of a certain type of carbohydrate called dietary fiber. Each 1-ounce serving of the chips provides 2 grams of this nutrient. Dietary fiber helps promote satiety, healthy digestion and stable blood sugar levels.

Protein

Unlike many other Mexican dishes, fried tortilla chips are low in protein. A 1-ounce serving of the chips contains only 2 grams of protein, or 1/4 of that in a cup of milk. Protein helps build and repair your muscles and other body tissues.