A small bag of crisps can be an occasional savoury snack if you’ve already eaten and know you tolerate it well, but don’t use crisps as a meal replacement before exercise. If you’re training soon, how long you have until your session and the portion size matter more than the convenience of a bag: the Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against large portions and high-fat foods just before exercise.
You want to take a savoury snack with you, while also considering how long you have until your session and what you find comfortable to eat beforehand. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against large portions and high-fat foods just before exercise.
You’d rather choose an individual bag than take crisps from a large sharing bag. Jumbo lists 25 g bags in a multipack, while Lay’s multipacks contain 40 g bags; compare the weight of each bag, not just the outer pack.
You check the portion size, nutritional information, ingredients and allergens for the flavour you choose. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives the average fat content of a 40 g bowl of plain crisps as 13.4 g; check the product’s own packaging for the values of a specific product.
First, work out how long you have until your session. If you still want to take crisps, compare the amount in each bag, then check the nutritional information for the flavour you’ve chosen.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who should pay particular attention? |
|---|---|---|
| Time until your session | How soon are you going to exercise, and do you still want to eat crisps beforehand? The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against large portions and high-fat foods just before exercise. | If I’m about to train, I’d rather not eat a large or heavy snack. Around 33% of consumers prioritise this when deciding what to eat. |
| Portion for the journey | Check the net weight of one bag; don’t judge a multipack by its total weight alone. | When I’m out and about, I want to take one clearly defined bag rather than eat from a sharing bag. Around 27% of consumers prioritise this choice of portion. |
| Nutritional information | Compare details such as fat and salt per 100 g and per portion on the label for your chosen flavour. | I want to know what my actual portion contains before eating crisps around a training session. For around 27% of consumers, nutritional information is the first thing they consider. |
| Bags for later | Compare the number of bags, the weight of each bag and any different flavours. | I want to set aside individual bags for different occasions without opening the whole pack at once. Around 13% of consumers prioritise this kind of planning. |
Without a measured portion, it’s easy to eat more than you intended. For comparison, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives the average fat content of 40 g of plain crisps as 13.4 g.
Take an individual bag with you or portion some out at home, and check how many grams you’re actually packing.
Lay’s claims that Oven Baked contains 50% less fat than regular potato crisps. That comparison alone doesn’t tell you whether a portion will feel comfortable just before your session; the Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against large portions and high-fat foods at that time.
As well as checking the claim, look at the nutritional information, portion size and how long you have until you exercise.
Ingredients and allergens can vary between flavours. A strongly seasoned flavour may also be less comfortable for you around exercise.
Read the latest ingredients and allergen information, and preferably choose a flavour you already know how you’ll react to around your session.
The Lay’s range includes different types of crisps and portion packs.
Pringles lists Original in pack sizes of 40 g, 70 g and 165 g.
Albert Heijn lists AH plain crisps in a 20-pack, with 40 g portions.
Jumbo lists a sharing pack of 15 bags of crisps, each weighing 25 g, in paprika and plain varieties.
Lidl Netherlands lists Snack Day plain crisps in its in-store range.
These packs of crisps are options if you want to take a savoury snack with you. For a single pack, compare its weight. For a mix or larger pack, check how much each individual bag contains; none of these products replaces a meal before exercise.
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If you want to portion out crisps for when you’re out and about, check how many grams you’re taking from this pack each time. The product name gives the pack weight as 125 g; also check the ingredients for the Paprika Cheese variety before choosing it.
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If you want to set aside portions for different occasions, the product name indicates twelve packs of 40 g each. Compare the 40 g portion with the amount you want to take, and check the latest label for ingredients and allergens.
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This 40 g bag gives you a defined portion to take with you. Choose this flavour around your training only if you know you enjoy it, and check the ingredients and allergen information on the pack.
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If you want to split crisps across several snack breaks, the product name gives the weight of the whole mix as 180 g. Check the weight of the portion you’re taking with you and read the ingredients for your chosen flavour.
Crisps aren’t an obvious choice just before a training session. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against large portions and foods high in fat, protein or fibre at that time. If you still want crisps, keep the portion small and consider what you personally find comfortable to eat.
A 25 g bag contains fewer crisps than a 40 g bag, but weight alone doesn’t determine whether you’ll want to eat them just before exercise. Jumbo lists a sharing pack with 25 g bags, while some Lay’s multipacks contain 40 g bags; also consider the timing and nutritional information for the variety you’ve chosen.
Check the allergen information on the current packaging for the flavour you’re buying. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergens must be clearly stated on food labels; don’t assume different flavours contain the same ingredients.
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, most people who exercise don’t need sports drinks, bars or gels to perform well. So don’t choose crisps just because the pack is small and assume that makes them specialist sports nutrition; treat them as an ordinary snack and consider when you’re eating.
