If you want to take one bag with you
If you want to open one sealed snack portion at your desk without weighing it out yourself, consider a small individual bag. Jumbo lists Lay's plain crisps in 40 g bags, among other options.
Which size is right for you?
If you plan your lunches in advance
A multipack of individual bags lets you set aside one bag for each working day. Jumbo, for example, lists a sharing pack of 15 × 25 g and a Lay's pack of 20 × 40 g. Check the weight of each bag, not just the number of bags.
If you check labels carefully
If nutrition information or allergens matter to you, read the packaging for the specific flavour. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority points out that prepacked foods must show details including ingredients, allergens, net quantity and nutritional values on the label.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you want one bag for today or individual portions for several days. Then compare the flavour, the contents of each bag and the information on the label.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| A clearly portioned snack | The net weight of each bag and whether each one is individually sealed. | I want to open one bag during my short break without transferring the crisps to another container. Around 33% of consumers prioritise having a clearly portioned snack. |
| Flavour and shape | The specific flavour and whether they’re potato crisps, a shaped snack or stacked crisps. | The flavour or shape I fancy is what mainly determines which snack I take with me. Around 27% of consumers give this preference priority. |
| Nutrition information and allergens | The nutritional values per 100 g and per portion, as well as the ingredients and highlighted allergens for the variety you’ve chosen. | I want to see how much energy and salt are in my bag, or I need to take allergens into account. Around 20% of consumers prioritise this label information. |
| Stock for several days | The number of individual bags, the weight of each bag and the flavours in the pack. | If I’m planning ahead for several working days, I want to be able to take a suitable bag for each lunch break. Around 20% of consumers prioritise having snacks in stock. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming a large pack is one portion
A tube or share bag contains more than the small bag you want to take for one snack break. Albert Heijn, for example, lists a 165 g tube of Pringles Original and a 150 g bag of AH ridged crisps.
Choose an individual bag, or portion some crisps from the larger pack into a separate container before your break.
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Taking ‘lower fat’ as a verdict on your whole lunch
A comparison of fat content alone tells you nothing about the other nutritional values in your portion. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre places both regular and light crisps outside the Wheel of Five.
Alongside the fat content, check the energy, salt and portion size for the specific crisps.
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Relying on the flavour name to check for allergens
A flavour name doesn’t tell you which allergens a product contains. For example, Jumbo lists milk and sulphites in Smiths Sticks Paprika.
Read the ingredients list and highlighted allergens on the packaging of the variety you choose. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains how allergens must be listed on labels.
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Comparing only the number of bags in a multipack
Fifteen 25 g bags aren’t the same size as twenty 40 g bags; Jumbo lists both pack formats.
Check how much each individual bag contains and choose a number that suits the lunch breaks you’re planning for.
Brands to consider
Lay's
Worth considering if you’re looking for classic potato crisps in individual bags for several lunch breaks.
- Jumbo lists Lay's plain crisps in a pack of 20 × 40 g.
- Check the nutrition information for your chosen flavour separately.
Pringles
Worth considering if you want to compare a small pack with a larger tube that you can portion out yourself.
- Albert Heijn lists Pringles Paprika in a 40 g pack, among other options.
- If you want to set aside one portion for a snack break, you’ll need to portion out a 165 g tube of Pringles Original yourself.
Smiths
A shaped snack to consider if flavour and shape matter more to you than a ready-portioned small bag.
- Jumbo lists Smiths Sticks Paprika and Barbecue in 100 g bags.
- Jumbo lists milk and sulphites in Smiths Sticks Paprika; check the label for the variety you choose.
AH
Worth considering if you’re looking for a larger own-brand bag that you can portion out yourself for each snack break.
- Albert Heijn lists AH ridged plain crisps, lower fat, in a 150 g bag, with a stated portion size of 25 g.
- The bag contains several portions and isn’t an individually wrapped lunch bag.
Jumbo
Worth considering if you’re looking for an own-brand multipack of individual bags for several days.
- Jumbo lists a Paprika & Plain sharing pack of 15 × 25 g.
- Check which flavours are included in the pack when you buy it.
Lidl Snack Day
Snack Day is Lidl’s crisps and snacks brand, with a range of flavours.
- You can browse the range for a flavour that suits your snack break.
- Check the packaging to see which size you’re choosing and whether it’s an individual bag.
Crisps for one or several snack breaks
These Joybuy products include an individual 40 g bag and multipacks of individual 40 g bags. Choose a single bag for one snack break, or a multipack if you want to set aside bags for several days.
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Lay's Sensations Thai Sweet Chili, 10 × 40 g
For anyone who wants to set aside individual bags for several snack breaks. The pack lists 10 × 40 g; check the ingredients and allergens for this flavour on the current packaging.
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Pringles Texas BBQ Sauce Potato Chips, 12 × 40 g
For anyone looking to stock up on individual portions in Texas BBQ Sauce flavour. The pack lists 12 × 40 g; check the current ingredients and allergen information for this variety.
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Pringles Hot & Spicy Crunchy Chips, 12 × 40 g
For anyone who wants spicy crisps in individual bags for several snack breaks. The pack lists 12 × 40 g; check the label to see whether nutritional values are given per 100 g or per portion before comparing them.
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Lay's Sensations Thai Sweet Chili, 40 g
For one clearly portioned snack break, with no need to portion it out yourself. The bag contains 40 g; check the packaging if you want to see the nutritional values per bag or check the allergens for this flavour.
Frequently asked questions
What size bag is right for a short lunch break?
An individual bag is a good choice if you want to take a clearly portioned amount with you without portioning it out yourself. Jumbo lists small bags of crisps in various weights, so check the contents of the specific bag rather than assuming one weight is standard.
Will a 40 g bag of crisps make my lunch complete?
A 40 g bag tells you how much crisps it contains, not what your whole lunch consists of. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre doesn’t include crisps in the Wheel of Five and describes a small bag or bowl of crisps as an occasional weekly choice.
Does ‘lower fat’ also mean fewer calories per bag?
You can’t tell from the fat content alone. Compare the energy and portion size on the same basis; the Netherlands Nutrition Centre notes that light crisps may contain less fat, but only slightly fewer calories.
What should I check on the label if allergens matter?
Read the ingredients list and highlighted allergens for your chosen flavour before buying it. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains the rules for mandatory allergen labelling; for example, Jumbo lists milk and sulphites in Smiths Sticks Paprika.
How do I compare a multipack with individual bags?
Compare both the number of bags and the weight of each one to see how many individual snack breaks the pack provides. Jumbo, for example, lists multipacks of 15 × 25 g and 20 × 40 g. In this case, the different number of bags also means a different amount in each bag.