Shoppers comparing calories
You want crisps in your snack stash, but compare the energy per 100 g across different flavours and also keep an eye on how much you serve.
Who are these choices relevant to?
Shoppers who check the whole label
As well as calories, you want to check salt, ingredients and allergens before choosing crisps to share with several people.
Shoppers looking to buy from a chemist
You want a branded variety that’s available to buy, without assuming from the packaging or choice of shop that it contains fewer calories.
What should you look for when choosing?
First compare the same flavours per 100 g, then decide on your portion, and only after that check whether the pack you want is available from your preferred retailer.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Energy and portion size | Compare kcal per 100 g for the exact flavour and check how many grams you actually serve. | I mainly want to choose crisps based on calories, without mistaking a lower figure per 100 g for a free pass to have a larger portion. This is the top priority for around 50% of shoppers. |
| Salt and ingredients | Read the salt content per 100 g and the allergen information on the packaging. | If I’m serving crisps to several people, I also want to know how much salt they contain and what the ingredients are. Around 30% of shoppers are expected to prioritise this. |
| Retailer and flavour | Check that the flavour and pack you want are available, and read the label for that variety. | For my snack stash, I mainly want a familiar brand or a variety I can get from a chemist. This need comes first for around 20% of shoppers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘light’ or ‘oven-baked’ means fewer calories
Albert Heijn lists 490 kcal per 100 g for Lay's Light Naturel and 435 kcal for Chio Oven Chips Sea Salt; Jumbo lists 428 kcal for Lay's Oven Baked Naturel. So the product description alone doesn’t tell you which of these varieties has the lowest energy value.
Compare the kcal per 100 g on the label for the specific flavour, rather than relying on the words on the front of the pack.
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Taking a lower figure per 100 g as a reason to eat more
The amount in your bowl also affects how many calories you eat. The Voedingscentrum gives an average of 216 kcal for a 40 g bowl of plain crisps; this average doesn’t reflect the nutritional value of every variety.
Compare the portion size on the pack with the amount you put in your own bowl.
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Overlooking salt and allergens
Albert Heijn lists 1.5 g of salt per 100 g for Chio Oven Chips Sea Salt. Comparing calories alone doesn’t give you the full picture of what you’re serving.
Check the salt content too, and if you need to avoid certain allergens, check the information on the pack you buy.
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Confusing availability with a lower energy value
Kruidvat sells Pringles Ketchup and lists 512 kcal per 100 g. Just because a flavour is available at a chemist doesn’t make it the lowest-calorie variety in this comparison.
First decide which label details matter to you, then check whether the exact flavour is available.
Brands compared
Lay's
Within this brand, you can compare the Oven Baked Naturel and Light Naturel varieties we checked using the same unit.
- Jumbo lists 428 kcal per 100 g for Oven Baked Naturel; Albert Heijn lists 490 kcal per 100 g for Light Naturel.
- Don’t apply these figures to other flavours: always check the label for the variety you choose.
Chio
Oven Chips Sea Salt is a specific oven-baked variety you can compare with other crisps.
- Albert Heijn lists 435 kcal per 100 g for this flavour.
- The same label lists 1.5 g of salt per 100 g; check the allergen information on the pack too.
Pringles
Kruidvat sells the Ketchup variety, making it a relevant option for a snack stash from a chemist.
- Kruidvat lists 512 kcal and 1.4 g of salt per 100 g for Pringles Ketchup, so you can compare this flavour directly.
- Don’t use these figures for other Pringles flavours; Pringles recommends checking the information on the packaging.
Smiths
Sticks Paprika is a separate potato and corn snack among the brands listed here.
- Jumbo lists 491 kcal and 1.3 g of salt per 100 g for Smiths Sticks Paprika.
- Compare this snack as a product in its own right; a description such as ‘light snack’ doesn’t replace the nutrition table.
Snack Day
Lidl shows oven-baked Snack Day crisps in paprika and sour cream & onion flavours, in 150 g packs.
- The two flavours give you a familiar starting point for comparing packs on the shelf.
- Check the nutrition table for the flavour you choose before comparing it with other crisps for calories or salt.
Crisps to compare on Joybuy
These are oven-baked crisps in a range of flavours. For your snack stash, compare the exact pack and its nutritional information; check separately whether the variety you want is available from a chemist.
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Chio Oven Chips Sea Salt, 125 g
Worth comparing if calories per 100 g are your main consideration. Albert Heijn lists 435 kcal and 1.5 g of salt per 100 g for this flavour; when choosing, also check the portion size and allergen information on the pack.
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Lay's Oven Baked Mediterranean Herbs, 150 g
An oven-baked herb flavour to compare with other crisps for your snack stash. The pack contains 150 g; for a calorie comparison, check the nutritional information for this specific flavour and decide how much you’ll serve.
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Lay's Oven Baked Barbecue, 150 g
For anyone who wants to include a barbecue flavour in their oven-baked selection. The bag contains 150 g; compare the nutritional information for this flavour and check salt and allergens as well as calories.
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Lay's Oven Baked Paprika, 150 g
For a comparison that specifically includes paprika crisps. The pack contains 150 g; use the nutrition table for this variety rather than applying figures from a different Lay's flavour.
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Lay's Oven Cheese Onion, 150 g
A cheese and onion variety to weigh up for both flavour and label details. The bag contains 150 g; check the nutritional and allergen information on this pack before choosing it for a shared snack stash.
Frequently asked questions
Are oven-baked crisps always lower in calories?
No. You can’t make a general calorie comparison based on the words ‘oven-baked’ alone. Jumbo lists 428 kcal per 100 g for Lay's Oven Baked Naturel, while Albert Heijn lists 435 kcal per 100 g for Chio Oven Chips Sea Salt. For other flavours, check the nutrition table again.
How do I compare a portion of crisps with the figure per 100 g?
Check how many grams you actually serve, then use the nutritional information for your chosen crisps to work out the figure for that amount. The Voedingscentrum uses 40 g as the reference portion for a bowl of plain crisps, listing an average of 216 kcal and 0.45 g of salt; these figures don’t apply to every brand or variety.
Are Pringles Ketchup suitable for a snack stash from a chemist?
Pringles Ketchup could be an option if you want to buy this flavour from Kruidvat, but not if you’re only looking for the lowest-calorie option among the varieties compared here. Kruidvat lists 512 kcal per 100 g; check availability and the label on the pack you choose.