Leisure cyclist looking for a savoury snack to take along
You want a savoury snack for a break or after a leisurely ride, without having to carry a large bag. A 40 g single-serve bag makes it clear how much you’re packing.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Long-distance cyclist planning food for the ride
You’re cycling for a long time or at high intensity and want to distinguish between a snack for a stop and food that fits your ride plan. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre discusses carbohydrates and hydration separately in relation to endurance sports.
Cyclist comparing portions and nutritional values
You enjoy crisps but want to know how much fat and salt you’ll get in the amount you actually eat. Compare the nutritional values per 100 g with the net weight and the stated serving size.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you want something savoury for a break or are planning food for a long, intensive ride. Then choose the pack size and compare the nutritional information for the amount you expect to eat.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Food for a long ride | Distinguish between a snack for a break and the food and drink you need for long, intensive cycling. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre suggests sports bars and gels as possible additions for this type of activity. | When I cycle for a long time at high intensity, I don’t want to rely solely on a savoury snack for food. This ride-planning consideration is the top priority for around 42% of consumers. |
| Portion and packaging | Check the net weight and serving size on the label. Albert Heijn lists Lay's Naturel 40 g as one serving per bag; Pringles gives nutritional information for Original per 30 g, as well as offering a 40 g pack. | For a short stop, I want to know in advance how much I’m taking, without having a larger bag left over. Around 33% of consumers prioritise this choice of portion size. |
| Fat and salt | Compare the same nutritional values per 100 g and for the amount you eat. Consider a claim about lower fat separately from the rest of the nutritional information. | I want to enjoy crisps now and then while keeping an eye on the fat and salt I’m having at each snack. Around 25% of consumers prioritise this consideration. |
Common mistakes
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Choosing crisps as your main fuel for a long ride
A savoury snack doesn’t automatically serve the same purpose as food planned for long, intensive cycling. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre emphasises the importance of carbohydrates for endurance sports.
If you want to eat crisps, save them for a snack break or afterwards, and plan your food and drink for the ride separately.
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Assuming a 40 g pack is one serving
The amount in a pack and the serving size used for the nutritional information may differ. For example, Pringles lists a 30 g serving for Original, while a 40 g pack is also available.
Check both the net weight and the serving size, and recalculate the nutritional values if you eat the whole pack.
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Taking ‘less fat’ as an overall verdict on the snack
A comparison of fat content alone tells you nothing about how many crisps you eat or their other nutritional values. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, neither regular nor low-fat crisps are included in the Wheel of Five.
Use a claim about lower fat only for that specific comparison, and also check the portion size and full nutritional information.
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Relying only on a product page if you have allergies
Ingredients and product information can change. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority requires information on the labels of prepacked foods to be clearly legible.
If you have an allergy, check the ingredients and allergens on the current packaging before eating the crisps.
Brands and retailers to compare
These examples can help you compare packs and labels. The features mentioned apply to the specific products and pack sizes, not to every product from a brand.
Lay's
Worth considering if you want to compare a small bag of plain crisps with a larger bag of oven-baked crisps.
- Albert Heijn lists Lay's Naturel 40 g as one serving per pack.
- The Lay's Oven Baked Naturel bag reviewed contains 150 g, or several servings. The ‘50% less fat than regular crisps’ claim on the product page refers to fat, not the overall nutritional value or how much you eat.
Pringles
Worth considering if you’d rather take a small tube than a bag for a cycling break.
- Pringles lists a 40 g pack of Original, among other options.
- The stated serving size is 30 g. The product information lists wheat and possible traces of milk and soya; if you have allergies, check the current packaging.
Albert Heijn
A retailer where you can compare product information for individual packs of crisps.
- The product pages describe both Lay's Naturel 40 g and Lay's Oven Baked Naturel 150 g.
- For ingredients, allergens and nutritional values, always refer to the label on the pack you buy.
Jumbo
A retailer where you can compare plain crisps in different pack sizes.
- Jumbo’s category page shows a range of plain crisps, making it easy to focus on the net weight.
- Compare the nutritional information for the specific product; the retailer’s range alone doesn’t tell you which portion is right for your cycling break.
Crisps and other savoury snacks at Joybuy
These packs, ranging from 25 g to 60 g, are worth considering as savoury snacks for a cycling break. As well as potato crisps, this selection includes okra, taro and vegetable crisps. Choose the type of snack you fancy and check the nutritional information for the amount you eat.
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Lay's Sensations Thai Sweet Chili 40 g
A bag for anyone who wants to take savoury crisps along for a break.
Net weight: 40 g. Compare the nutritional information on the label with the amount you actually eat.
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Okra crisps 25 g
A small bag for a snack break if you fancy okra crisps instead of potato crisps.
Net weight: 25 g. Check the label to see which serving size the nutritional values refer to.
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Pringles Original Crisps 40 g
A small tube for anyone who prefers this type of pack for a stop along the way.
Net weight: 40 g. Pringles gives nutritional information for Original per 30 g; check the current label if you want to compare the whole tube or need to check for allergens.
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7FRESH Original Cut Taro Chips Sea Salt Flavor 50 g
A savoury option for a break if you’d like to try taro crisps instead of potato crisps.
Net weight: 50 g. Use the label to work out the nutritional values for the amount you eat.
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Be&Cheery Assorted Vegetable Crisps 7 Flavors 60 g
A mix of vegetable crisps for anyone who fancies something different from regular potato crisps during a break.
Net weight: 60 g. Check the nutritional values and serving size on the label before treating the whole bag as one snack.
Frequently asked questions
Can crisps replace sports nutrition on a long bike ride?
Don’t choose crisps as your main fuel for long, intensive cycling. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre highlights the importance of carbohydrates for endurance sports and suggests sports bars and gels as possible additions. You can consider a bag of crisps separately as a savoury snack for a break.
Is a 40 g bag of crisps always one serving?
No, the net weight and stated serving size aren’t always the same. Albert Heijn lists Lay's Naturel 40 g as one serving per bag, while Pringles gives a 30 g serving for Original and also offers a 40 g pack.
Are oven-baked crisps suitable as sports nutrition because they contain less fat?
A lower fat content alone doesn’t make crisps sports nutrition. Compare the fat per 100 g, but also consider how much you eat and the other nutritional information. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, neither regular nor low-fat crisps are included in the Wheel of Five.
What should I check on the label if I have a food allergy?
Check the ingredients and allergens on the current packaging before eating the crisps. For example, the product information for Pringles Original lists wheat and possible traces of milk and soya. Don’t rely solely on a product page you viewed earlier for the item you’re buying.