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Doritos Nacho Cheese

Doritos Nacho Cheese nutrition label, ingredients and packaging

Not Vegan

Contains 'milk'

Health ScorePoor
40/100

Banned in EU

Contains Red 40.

Calories
522
Sugar
3g
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Family & Pet Safety

🚫

Not Dog Safe 🐶❌

⚠️ DANGEROUS: Anemia (Red blood cell damage).
Ref: AKC
⚠️ DANGEROUS: Anemia (More potent than onion).
Ref: AKC
⚠️ SODIUM ION POISONING: Vomiting, seizures (in high doses).
Ref: Merck Vet
🤰

Pregnancy Safe? 🤰✅

Safe for consumption.

👶

Limit for Kids 👶⚠️

⚠️ DYE E129: Linked to ADHD/Hyperactivity. (CSPI / Southampton Study)
⚠️ DYE E102: Behavioral triggers & Allergies. (EFSA / CSPI)
⚠️ DYE E110: Linked to adrenal tumors in animals. (CSPI)
⚠️ SENSITIVITY: Headaches in sensitive kids. (FDA)

Ingredient Decoder

High Risk Additives

Red 40 (Allura Red)

A synthetic petroleum-based dye used to create bright red colors in candy and drinks. It has been linked to hyperactivity and attention issues in sensitive children. Banned in parts of Europe for use in baby food.

Moderate Caution

Yellow 5 (Tartrazine)

A synthetic lemon-yellow azo dye derived from coal tar. It is known to cause allergic reactions (like hives) in people with aspirin intolerance and has been linked to behavioral changes in children.

Yellow 6 (Sunset Yellow)

A synthetic food dye used in cheese, candy, and soda. Some animal studies have linked it to adrenal tumors, though the FDA currently deems it safe for consumption.

Artificial Flavor

A mixture of chemicals synthesized in a lab to mimic natural tastes. Manufacturers are not required to disclose the specific ingredients used in these proprietary blends.

Maltodextrin

A highly processed white powder from corn or wheat. It has a higher Glycemic Index than table sugar (spiking insulin rapidly) and can suppress good gut bacteria.

Dextrose

A simple sugar chemically identical to glucose. It absorbs instantly into the bloodstream, causing rapid energy spikes and crashes. Often used as a filler.

Canola Oil

A highly processed industrial oil extracted using hexane solvents, bleached, and deodorized. High in Omega-6s which can promote inflammation if not balanced with Omega-3s.

Disodium Guanylate

Flavor enhancer (E627) often used with MSG. Dangerous for people with gout or kidney stones as it metabolizes into uric acid.

Corn Oil

Highly refined oil rich in Omega-6. Usually derived from GMO corn. Promotes inflammation if consumed in excess.

Sunflower Oil

Often perceived as healthy, but high-oleic versions are better. Standard sunflower oil is very high in inflammatory Omega-6s.

Full Ingredients List:

corn, vegetable oil (sunflower oil, canola oil, corn oil), maltodextrin (made from corn), salt, cheddar cheese (milk, cheese cultures, salt, enzymes), whey, monosodium glutamate, buttermilk, romano cheese (part-skim cow's milk, cheese cultures, salt, enzymes), whey protein concentrate, onion powder, corn flour, natural and artificial flavor, dextrose, tomato powder, lactose, spices, artificial color (yellow 6, yellow 5, red 40), lactic acid, citric acid, sugar, garlic powder, skim milk, red and green bell pepper powder, disodium inosinate, disodium guanylate, potassium chloride, sodium caseinate.

Diet Compatibility

🌱

Vegan

Avoid

🌾

Gluten-Free

OK

🥩

Keto

Avoid

What you need to know

Fat in high quantity (26.8g)

A high consumption of fat can raise cholesterol and increase heart disease risk. Limit consumption.

Source: National Health Service UK (NHS) - Fat: the facts

Saturated Fat in moderate quantity (4.23g)

Contains moderate saturated fat.

Source: National Health Service UK (NHS)

Sugars in low quantity (2.82g)

Low sugar content. Good for weight control and dental health.

Source: National Health Service UK (NHS) - Sugar: the facts

Salt in moderate quantity (1.48g)

Salt in moderate quantity.

Source: WHO - Fact sheet - Salt reduction

Health Benefits

  • Low Sugar

Cons & Warnings

  • Contains Red 40 (Allura Red)

Processing Level

Based on ingredient analysis (NOVA System)

NOVA 4: Ultra Processed

Analysis Report

Dr. Mark Chen, PhD

Dr. Mark Chen, PhD

Food Scientist

"Mark analyzes food processing levels and additive safety."

Health Integrity Analysis

Is Doritos Nacho Cheese truly good for you, or is it just clever marketing? We analyzed the nutritional density, ingredient safety, and processing levels using the CakeID Algorithm. With a calculated health score of 40/100, here is the deep dive into what you are actually eating.

⚠️ Additive Watch: Critical Flags

The ingredient list reveals the presence of Red 40 (Allura Red). A synthetic petroleum-based dye used to create bright red colors in candy and drinks. It has been linked to hyperactivity and attention issues in sensitive children. Banned in parts of Europe for use in baby food. For health-conscious consumers, this is a significant red flag that lowered the product's overall score.

Nutritional Balance

With only 3g of sugar, this product maintains a balanced profile. It avoids the excessive sweetness of typical processed foods while providing 7g of protein.

Final Verdict

Taking into account the macro-nutrient balance, additive risks, and caloric density, Doritos Nacho Cheese achieves a CakeID Score of 40/100.

Treat Only: Due to the low score, we recommend enjoying this only as an occasional treat rather than a dietary staple.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Doritos Nacho Cheese healthy?
It depends on your goals. With a score of 40/100, it should be consumed in moderation as part of a balanced diet.
Is Doritos Nacho Cheese Vegan?
No. Contains 'milk'.
Does it contain harmful additives?
Yes, it contains Red 40 (Allura Red), which is flagged in our database.
Disclaimer: The information provided by CakeID is for educational purposes only and not intended as medical advice. Always consult a professional for dietary concerns.

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Official GTIN Code

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 1 package

Amount per serving
Calories
522
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 27g35%
Saturated Fat 4g20%
Trans Fat 0g
Cholesterol 0mg0%
Sodium 1000mg43%
Total Carbohydrate 61g22%
Dietary Fiber 4g14%
Total Sugars 3g
Protein 7g
Vitamin D 0mcg0%
Calcium 0mg0%
Iron 0mg0%
Potassium 0mg0%

* The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Burn It Off

To burn off the 522 kcal in 100g, you'd need to:

52
Run
65
Cycle
131
Walk

Sugar Visualization

1 cube ≈ 4g sugar (Contains ~1 cubes)

Macros

FDA Check

Passed. No active recalls.