Parents who want to compare kcal per treat
You want to hand out crisps and compare the energy content of the same quantity, rather than relying on claims such as oven-baked or lower in fat.
Who is this relevant for?
Parents who want to give each child an individual pack
You’re looking for an easy-to-count amount for a class or party and want to know how many grams are in each bag or tube.
Parents who need to check rules and allergens
You want to check which treats are allowed at the school or childcare setting before buying, and whether the specific variety of crisps meets its allergen requirements.
What should you look for when choosing?
Start by comparing the nutritional information for the same quantity; the pack weight then determines how much each child actually gets.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Kcal per portion handed out | Compare kcal per 100 g or per equal-sized portion, and check how many grams you’ll actually hand out. | If I’m watching kcal, I want to know what each child gets in one portion, not just what the table says per 30 g. Around 42% of consumers prioritise kcal per portion handed out. |
| Sharing between children | Check the number of packs and the weight of each bag or tube; an individual pack isn’t automatically a small portion. | For a class, I want to be able to prepare enough equal treats without weighing out crisps on the spot. Around 33% of consumers prioritise ease of handing them out. |
| Rules and allergens | Ask about the treat policy and read the allergen information for the exact flavour and pack. | If the venue or a dietary requirement limits my choice, I want to know before buying crisps. For around 25% of consumers, these requirements are the first thing they consider. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘lower in fat’ means ‘lowest in kcal’
A fat claim doesn’t tell you how many kcal are in a portion you hand out. Salt content can also vary between the varieties you’re comparing.
Compare the nutritional information for the exact flavours on the same basis, for example per 100 g.
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Assuming every party-size bag is a small portion
Albert Heijn lists party-size packs of 40 g, among others, while the nutritional figures given are per 30 g. These aren’t equal portions.
Check the weight of the whole bag or tube if each child is getting one.
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Relying on allergen information for a different flavour
Ingredients and allergen warnings can vary by variety, and packaging information may change.
Before handing them out, read the pack for the flavour you’ve chosen and discuss any relevant allergen requirements with the venue.
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Only asking about the venue’s rules after you’ve bought them
According to the Voedingscentrum, some nurseries have a no-treats policy for celebrations. The school’s own rules also determine what you can hand out.
Ask in advance whether edible treats and crisps are allowed under the school or childcare setting’s rules.
Brands to consider
Lay’s
Worth considering if you want to compare Lay’s Oven Baked Original with other crisps in equal portions.
- Jumbo lists 128 kcal and 0.26 g of salt per 30 g for Oven Baked Original.
- These figures apply to Original, not necessarily to other Lay’s flavours. A 40 g bag is also larger than the 30 g reference portion.
Chio
Chio Oven Chips Sea Salt is another oven-baked variety whose nutritional information you can check per 30 g.
- Jumbo lists 131 kcal per 30 g for Sea Salt.
- The same product information lists 0.45 g of salt per 30 g; also check the ingredients of the variety you choose.
Pringles
Pringles Original is worth considering if you’re thinking of giving each child an individual tube.
- Pringles offers a 40 g size; Albert Heijn lists Original in a pack of 12 x 40 g tubes.
- Pringles lists 158 kcal per 30 g for Original. Calculate the nutritional value of the whole tube if you’re giving one to each child.
Snack Day
Lidl’s Snack Day range also includes oven-baked crisps, including paprika and sour cream & onion varieties in 150 g packs.
- The pack size gives you a starting point for deciding how you’d like to share the crisps.
- To compare kcal, check the nutritional information for the specific flavour and the portion you plan to hand out.
Crisps to compare by portion
These Joybuy products are two bags of oven-baked crisps. For a children’s party, decide how much to give each child and check the nutritional information for the flavour you choose.
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Lay’s Oven Baked Barbecue, 150 g
If you’re dividing the crisps into portions yourself, the weight of each portion determines the kcal per child.
150 g bag. Check the nutritional information and allergens on the pack for this barbecue flavour; the figures for Oven Baked Original don’t necessarily apply to Barbecue.
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Chio Oven Chips Sea Salt, 125 g
You can compare this variety with other crisps in equal quantities before deciding on the portions for your party.
125 g bag. Jumbo lists 435 kcal per 100 g and 131 kcal per 30 g for Chio Oven Chips Sea Salt. Check the weight of the portion you’re handing out, and read the current packaging if anyone has allergies.
Frequently asked questions
Which of the crisps compared has the fewest kcal per 30 g?
Of these three specific varieties, Jumbo lists the lowest figure for Lay’s Oven Baked Original: 128 kcal per 30 g, compared with 131 kcal for Chio Oven Chips Sea Salt; Pringles lists 158 kcal for Original. For a party, also consider the weight you’ll actually hand out.
Are oven-baked crisps automatically a suitable treat for children?
No, the cooking method alone doesn’t determine that. Compare the kcal and salt in equal portions, read the pack for the flavour you’ve chosen and ask which treats the venue allows.
Should I ask the school or childcare setting about crisps as a treat in advance?
Yes, ask about the rules at the venue in question before buying anything. The Voedingscentrum explains that some nurseries have a no-treats policy for celebrations, so don’t assume every school or childcare setting has the same rules.
How do I compare a 40 g party-size bag with figures per 30 g?
Use the same quantity for both products, or calculate the nutritional value for the whole bag. Albert Heijn lists party-size packs of 40 g, among others; a figure per 30 g doesn’t automatically tell you what a child gets from a whole bag of that size.