How many calories in a portion of chips?

A standard 150g portion of oven chips has 220-300 calories. Deep-fried chips from a chippy can be 400+ for the same weight.

Are sweet potato fries healthier?

Similar calories (270 kcal/150g vs 250 for regular). Sweet potato has more beta-carotene and slightly more fibre, but the oil and processing are the same.

What is the glycemic index of fries / chips?

Fries / Chips has a glycemic index of 75, which is classified as High GI. French fries have a high GI of around 75. Deep frying potatoes does not significantly lower their GI compared to baking.

Glucose: HighNOVA 3

How Many Calories for Fries / Chips?

A standard 150g portion of oven chips has around 220-300 calories depending on the brand. Deep-fried chips jump to 400+ calories for the same portion. Sweet potato fries are similar in calories but often marketed as healthier.

Calories by preparation

Method	Calories	Protein	Fat	Carbs	NOVA
Oven chips (150g portion)Standard UK portion — about a quarter of a bagMost oven chips are NOVA 3 — par-fried in sunflower oil before packaging	250	4.5g	8g	40g	3
Deep-fried chips (150g portion)Deep frying adds 60% more calories vs oven chips	400	5g	20g	50g	3
Sweet potato fries (150g, oven)Similar calories to regular chips — not a low-calorie swap	270	2.5g	10g	42g	3

Nutrition per 100g

Nutrient	Per 100g	Per serving
Energy	213 kcal / 891 kJ	213 kcal
Protein	5.2g	5.2g
Carbohydrates	26.4g	26.4g
of which sugars	2.6g	—
Fat	9g	9g
of which saturated	2.1g	—
Fibre	2.9g	—
Salt	0.7g	—

Serving size: 1 portion oven chips (~165g) · Source: Tesco product page, October 2025

Glucose impact

Glycemic Index

High

Glucose risk

Chips are high-GI (75+) refined carbohydrate. A 150g portion delivers 40-50g of fast-absorbing carbs. Expect a significant blood sugar response.

Processing level

NOVA 3 (processed)

Most frozen chips are NOVA 3 — potatoes that have been cut, par-fried in oil, and frozen. Some coated varieties with seasonings or batter cross into NOVA 4.

Fries / Chips at Tesco

Source: Tesco product page, October 2025

Tesco Crispy Sweet Potato Fries 300G

£2.1*

Tesco Finest Triple Cooked Beef Basted Oven Chips 750g

£2.85*

Tesco Oven Chips 450g

£2.75*

McCain Sweet Potato Fries 500G

Tesco French Fries 1.5Kg

£1.99*

*Prices were correct at the time of collection and may have since changed. Check Tesco.com for current pricing.

What to watch for when shopping

All frozen chips and fries at Tesco are at least NOVA 3 due to added oil and processing. Oven chips (250 kcal/portion) are significantly lower in calories than deep-fried (400 kcal). Sweet potato fries are not lower in calories than regular - they are often higher due to added coatings. Making chips from scratch with fresh potatoes and minimal oil is the cleanest option.

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