A small pack of crisps can be a handy savoury snack after a training session or on your way home, but it isn’t automatically a suitable fuel for a long run. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre highlights the increased need for carbohydrates during marathon training, as well as the importance of staying hydrated during exercise. So, plan what you eat and drink separately when running, and compare the nutritional information per serving and the current packaging when choosing crisps.
If you’re considering eating crisps while running, it’s important to distinguish between a savoury snack and food specifically intended to fuel exercise. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre discusses both energy and fluids in relation to prolonged exercise.
Small packs make it easier to plan a single snack for after your training session or on your way home. Compare the number of packs and the weight per portion.
If you’re keeping an eye on fat, salt, ingredients or allergens, the information for the flavour and pack you choose is more useful than the brand name alone.
First decide whether you’re looking for something to eat while running or a snack for before or after. Then portion size and the nutritional information for the crisps you choose become key considerations.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Eating during a long run | Compare the carbohydrates per portion and plan what you’ll drink separately; try eating during a run in training first. | If I want to eat something during a long training session, I want to know in advance what I can take with me and tolerate. For around 45% of consumers, food to eat while running is the top priority. |
| Taking portions with you | Check the number of portions, the weight per portion and whether each portion is individually packed. | For the journey home, I want to be able to grab a measured snack without opening a large bag. For around 27% of consumers, a portion to take with them is the main consideration. |
| Nutritional information and allergens | Compare nutritional information per 100 g and per portion; for a variety pack, check the ingredients and allergens for each variety. | When choosing different flavours, I want to be able to check the ingredients, fats, sugars, salt and allergens. For around 28% of consumers, this information matters most. |
Crisps contain carbohydrates, but that doesn’t make them a substitute for a plan for eating and drinking during prolonged exercise. As a general reference, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives 20,5 g of carbohydrates and 13,4 g of fat for 40 g of plain crisps; these aren’t the values for every small pack.
Decide separately what you want to eat and drink while running. If you want to try crisps during a training session, don’t make your first attempt during an important race.
A claim on the front of the pack doesn’t tell you how much fat, carbohydrate or salt is in the portion you’ve chosen.
Compare the nutritional information per 100 g and per actual pack, as well as the ingredients list.
Ingredients can vary between flavours. For example, Jumbo lists milk as an allergen in its paprika and plain sharing pack.
If you have an allergy, check the allergen information on the current packaging for the specific variety pack and check each flavour separately.
Lay's offers several types of crisps, including standard crisps, Sensations and Oven Baked. Dutch supermarkets also stock multipacks with small portions.
Pringles sells Original in tubes; according to Pringles, this variety is available in a 40 g size, among others.
Jumbo offers a sharing pack of paprika and plain crisps containing 15 packs of 25 g.
Snack Day is Lidl’s own brand of crisps and other savoury snacks.
These multipacks list a number of portions or packs and are most relevant if you’re planning a savoury snack around your training. Check whether the portions are individually sealed if you need to take them with you; don’t assume that the products are suitable food for a long run just because of their packaging.
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For anyone planning a portion of crisps after exercise. The product name lists ten 40 g portions; compare the nutritional information and allergens on the packaging for this flavour.
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For anyone looking for several snack portions in the same flavour. The product name lists twelve 40 g portions; check the packaging for nutritional information, ingredients and allergens.
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For anyone who wants to take a tube of crisps as a snack after training. The product name lists twelve 40 g packs; compare the nutritional information per tube and check the allergens on the label.
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For anyone who wants to share a selection of savoury snacks or spread them across several occasions. The product name lists 20 pieces; check whether the inner packs are individually sealed if you need separate portions, and read the ingredients and allergens for each variety.
Don’t choose crisps as running fuel based on their carbohydrate content alone. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre also highlights the importance of fluids during prolonged exercise; its general figures for 40 g of plain crisps are 20,5 g of carbohydrates and 13,4 g of fat. Decide in advance what food you want to try during training, and plan your drinks separately.
They’re useful when you want to take a measured savoury snack with you for after training or on your way home. Check the weight per portion and whether each portion is individually packed if that’s important for how you plan to use them.
Read the allergen information and ingredients on the current packaging, including for each individual flavour. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that 14 allergens must be listed on labels; for example, Jumbo lists milk in its paprika and plain sharing pack.
Use it to compare packs, but also read the label on the product you buy. Compare the nutritional information per 100 g and per portion, and check the ingredients and allergens for the flavour you choose.
