Own-brand and pack-size comparers
You fancy a savoury snack while studying and are considering an own-brand bag that you can split across several snack breaks. Compare the pack weights and choose a flavour you’ll actually enjoy.
Who might benefit from each option?
Portion- and label-conscious snackers
You’d rather decide in advance how many crisps to have. You check the energy, fat and salt per 100 g, and if you have an allergy, you read the ingredients and allergen information on the exact pack.
Brand buyers focused on flavour and packaging
A familiar flavour, a particular crisp shape, a tube or a small bag matter more to you than choosing a large own-brand bag.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide how many crisps you want for each study session, then compare pack sizes and labels. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends comparing nutritional values per 100 g; an average 40 g bowl of crisps contains 215 kcal, 13,1 g of fat and 0,53 g of salt. You’ll find the values for your product on the packaging.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is this most important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Pack size and how much you’ll use | Check the total weight and consider whether you’ll split a large bag across your planned snack breaks. | If I want to snack more than once, I want a pack whose contents I’ll actually use. Around 33% of consumers put pack size and how much they’ll use first. |
| Quantity and nutritional values | Compare energy, fat and salt per 100 g; decide separately how much you want to eat. | During a long study session, I don’t want to keep eating from an open bag without noticing. For around 27% of consumers, quantity and nutritional information are the main considerations. |
| Flavour and shape | Choose the flavour and crisp shape you’re looking for, and read the ingredients list for that variety. | I’m looking for a familiar flavour or crisps that stack neatly, and I want to base my choice on that. This preference is the deciding factor for around 20% of consumers. |
| Individual packs | Check how many bags there are and the weight of each bag or tube. | It’s more convenient for me to have an individual snack ready in advance than to serve myself from a large bag. Around 20% of consumers give this packaging convenience top priority. |
Common mistakes when choosing
-
Taking ‘less fat’ as a verdict on the whole product
Albert Heijn describes Lay's Oven Baked Natural as a variety with 50% less fat than regular potato crisps. This comparison relates to fat and, on its own, says nothing about how much you eat or the other nutritional values.
Also check the energy and salt per 100 g on the label, and decide on your portion in advance.
-
Relying on an old ingredients list
Information about a particular crisp flavour can change. A product page you looked at previously is no substitute for checking the label on the pack you’re using.
Before eating, check the ingredients and allergen information for the exact variety, especially if you need to avoid a particular ingredient.
-
Opening a large bag without deciding how much to have
A large pack can provide several snacks, but it doesn’t tell you how much to take out at a time.
Serve yourself the amount you want in a bowl first. If you’d rather have individual packs, check how many grams are in each bag.
Brands to compare
Jumbo
Jumbo sells own-brand crisps, including 250 g bags of ready salted crisps.
- A ready salted variety is a practical alternative if you want to portion out a larger bag yourself.
- Check the current ingredients and nutritional information on the pack you choose.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn sells own-brand ready salted crisps, among other varieties.
- The 250 g ready salted variety is an option if you want to measure out your own portions.
- Albert Heijn warns that product information, including ingredients and allergens, can change; check the packaging.
Lay's
Lay's sells potato crisps in ready salted, ridged and Oven Baked varieties, among others.
- You can choose a particular flavour or variety.
- The ‘less fat’ claim for Lay's Oven Baked Natural doesn’t automatically apply to other Lay's varieties or other nutritional values.
Pringles
Pringles Original are stackable crisps sold in a tube; Pringles lists 40 g, 70 g and 165 g sizes.
- The shape and range of sizes could be the deciding factors if those are what you’re looking for.
- A tube doesn’t tell you the nutritional values or allergens for the flavour you’ve chosen; check the label.
Snack Day
Snack Day is Lidl’s own brand for crisps and other savoury snacks.
- Lidl lists a 250 g pack of Snack Day ready salted ridged crisps.
- Check that this particular shape and pack size suit your planned snack breaks.
Crisps for different study sessions
These Joybuy products give you a choice between individually packed crisps and larger packs from which you can serve yourself. Flavours and pack sizes vary; always check the label on your chosen variety for ingredients and nutritional values.
No image available
Pringles Original Crisps, 12 × 40 g
A good choice if you want to have individual packs ready for different study sessions.
The pack contains 12 units of 40 g. Check the ingredients and allergen information on the exact pack.
No image available
Lay's Sensations Thai Sweet Chili, 10 × 40 g
A good option if you want this particular flavour in individual bags for planned snack breaks.
The pack contains 10 bags of 40 g. Check the label on the pack you buy for ingredients and allergens.
No image available
Lay's Oven Baked Natural, 150 g
A ready salted variety for anyone who wants to serve themselves from a larger bag and compare the nutritional information.
The bag contains 150 g. Compare the values per 100 g on the label, even if you’re choosing it for its ‘less fat’ claim.
No image available
Pringles Original Crisps, 165 g
A good fit if you’re looking for Pringles Original in a tube and want to decide how many to have each time.
The tube contains 165 g; the crisps aren’t individually portioned. Check the ingredients and allergens on the packaging.
Frequently asked questions
When should I choose a large bag rather than individual bags?
A large bag works well if you measure out the amount you want in advance and save the rest for another time. Individual bags make it easier to have a separate portion ready beforehand; check how many grams each bag contains.
Are crisps with less fat automatically a different nutritional choice?
No, a ‘less fat’ claim only compares the stated fat content. Albert Heijn describes Lay's Oven Baked Natural as a variety with 50% less fat than regular potato crisps; also check the energy, salt and the amount you’ll actually eat.
Which label should I read if I need to avoid certain ingredients?
Read the label on the exact flavour and pack you’re going to use. Ingredients and allergen information can vary or change between varieties, so don’t rely solely on a product description you looked at earlier.
How do I compare the nutritional values of two types of crisps?
Compare the same nutritional values per 100 g, as recommended by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre. Then consider how much you want to eat: nutritional information per portion is only directly comparable when the portions are the same size.
How should I store crisps after opening the pack?
Follow the storage instructions on the packaging for your crisps. Also check the product’s date information rather than applying one general storage period to all bags, packs and tubes.