Afternoon snackers keeping an eye on calories
You fancy something savoury and crunchy, but would rather look at the energy value per 100 g and how much you eat than rely on a claim such as ‘less fat’.
Who are these options relevant to?
Afternoon snackers who compare salt too
You take the salt content per 100 g into account and work out how much that means for your portion. Two varieties of crisps with a similar energy value can differ in this respect.
Shoppers checking allergens
You avoid certain ingredients, so you check the current ingredients list and allergen information on the packaging every time you choose a flavour.
What should you consider when choosing?
For an afternoon snack, start by comparing kcal per 100 g, then decide on your portion and consider which other features matter most to you.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this most important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Calories and portion size | Compare kcal per 100 g and decide how many grams you want to eat; the portion shown on the label doesn’t have to be the portion you choose. | If I want to choose my afternoon snack based on its energy value, I want to know what the amount in my bowl adds up to. Around 50% of consumers give calories and portion size top priority. |
| Salt as well as calories | Check the salt per 100 g and, if needed, work out how much that means for the amount you eat. | I don’t want to focus on calories alone if I’m also keeping an eye on my overall salt intake. Salt is the most important factor in this choice for around 30% of consumers. |
| Flavour and packaging | Choose your preferred flavour and pack format; also check the nutritional information and, if relevant, the allergen details. | If I’m mainly looking for a familiar flavour or convenient packaging, I still use the label values as a check. Around 20% of consumers prioritise flavour and packaging. |
Common mistakes
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Taking ‘less fat’ to mean ‘fewer calories than all other crisps’
Albert Heijn compares the fat content of AH Ribbelchips naturel minder vet with its regular ridged crisps. This variety contains 461 kcal per 100 g; Lay's Oven Baked Naturel, as listed by Albert Heijn, contains 428 kcal per 100 g.
Use the fat claim as additional information and compare the kcal per 100 g of the flavours you’re considering.
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Comparing calories but overlooking salt
Jumbo lists 1.5 g of salt per 100 g for Chio Oven Chips Sea Salt. Albert Heijn lists 0.85 g per 100 g for Lay's Oven Baked Naturel. Choosing based on calories alone means you won’t see this difference.
Compare both the energy and salt values for the specific varieties you’re considering.
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Assuming the labelled portion is the amount you eat
The product information reviewed gives portion sizes of 25 g or 30 g, while the packs contain more than that. If you eat a larger amount, the value for one labelled portion won’t reflect your snack.
Measure out the amount you want in a bowl beforehand or weigh it, then use the nutritional value for that weight.
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Choosing another flavour without checking the label
Ingredients and allergens can vary between products and flavours. For Pringles Original, Jumbo lists wheat and possible traces of milk and soya.
Check the ingredients and allergen information again on the pack you’re about to eat.
Brands and product ranges to consider
Lay's
Lay's Oven Baked Naturel is a 150 g variety. The brand compares its fat content with that of regular potato crisps.
- Albert Heijn lists 428 kcal, 13 g of fat and 0.85 g of salt per 100 g for this plain variety.
- The fat comparison doesn’t tell you how many kcal are in your chosen portion; check the current nutrition table for that.
Albert Heijn
AH Ribbelchips naturel minder vet is a 150 g own-brand variety. According to Albert Heijn’s product information, it contains 35% less fat than AH Ribbelchips naturel.
- Albert Heijn lists a 25 g portion, which is useful for comparison if that’s how much you actually eat.
- The stated energy value is 461 kcal per 100 g; the fat claim doesn’t replace a calorie comparison.
Chio
Chio Oven Chips Sea Salt is a 125 g oven-baked potato snack.
- Jumbo lists 435 kcal and 9.2 g of fat per 100 g for this variety, with a stated portion size of 30 g.
- Jumbo also lists 1.5 g of salt per 100 g. Take this into account if salt is an important factor in your choice.
Pringles
Pringles Original is a savoury potato snack in a 165 g tube, with a stated portion size of 30 g.
- The portion information helps you measure out the amount you want to eat.
- Jumbo lists 516 kcal per 100 g. The product information mentions wheat and possible traces of milk and soya; if you’re checking for allergens, read the current label.
Snack Day (Lidl)
Lidl lists Snack Day Naturel chips in a 250 g pack as a product available in store only.
- The pack size is worth considering if you want to decide in advance how much to have for a snack.
- Check the kcal and salt values on the current packaging before comparing this plain variety with other crisps.
Crisps for your afternoon snack at Joybuy
Below you’ll find Chio Oven Chips Sea Salt and four different Lay's flavours. Choose the variety you want to eat: the nutritional values and ingredients for one flavour don’t automatically apply to another.
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Chio Oven Chips Sea Salt, 125 g
A good option if you want an oven-baked variety and are comparing both energy and salt. Jumbo lists 435 kcal, 9.2 g of fat and 1.5 g of salt per 100 g for this Chio variety, with a 30 g portion. Check the current packaging if you also want to compare ingredients or allergens.
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Lay's Oven Baked Mediterranean Herbs, 150 g
For anyone who wants to portion out this herby flavour as an afternoon snack. The pack contains 150 g; decide how many grams you want and check the kcal, salt and allergen information for this flavour on the label.
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Lay's Oven Baked Barbecue, 150 g
For anyone choosing a barbecue flavour and wanting to decide on their snack portion in advance. The bag contains 150 g; compare the nutritional information for this flavour per 100 g and check the ingredients if they’re important to your choice.
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Lay's Oven Baked Paprika, 150 g
For anyone who fancies paprika flavour and wants to factor in calories and salt. This variety comes in a 150 g bag; use the current values on the packaging for this specific flavour and base your comparison on the amount you eat.
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Lay's Oven Cheese Onion, 150 g
For anyone considering the Cheese Onion variety and wanting to measure out a portion from a 150 g bag. Check the nutritional and allergen information on the current packaging before comparing this flavour with other crisps.
Frequently asked questions
How do I compare crisps if I want to eat fewer calories?
First compare the kcal per 100 g, then work out the value for the amount you actually want to eat. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, nutritional values per 100 g appear on the label; a claim on the front doesn’t replace that comparison.
Are oven-baked crisps automatically lower in calories?
No. Assess the variety you’ve chosen using its current nutrition table. Albert Heijn lists 428 kcal per 100 g for Lay's Oven Baked Naturel, while Jumbo lists 435 kcal per 100 g for Chio Oven Chips Sea Salt; these values don’t automatically apply to other flavours.
Why compare salt as well as calories?
Because crisps with a similar energy value can contain different amounts of salt. Jumbo lists 1.5 g of salt per 100 g for Chio Oven Chips Sea Salt, compared with 0.85 g per 100 g for Lay's Oven Baked Naturel at Albert Heijn. Compare both values for the portion you plan to eat.
Where can I check which allergens crisps contain?
Read the ingredients list and allergen information on the current packaging for the flavour you’ve chosen. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, any allergens that must be declared have to appear on the label; don’t rely on information for another variety.
How should I store an opened bag of Chio Oven Chips Sea Salt?
Follow the storage instructions on the packaging and seal the bag properly after use. Jumbo’s instructions for this variety are to store it in a cool, dry and dark place; once opened, the product has a limited shelf life.