Runners planning what to eat around a long run
You want to fit a snack into your training schedule without treating crisps as running fuel. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre emphasises the importance of planning meals and drinks around exercise.
Who is this choice for?
Training groups sharing snacks afterwards
You’re looking for a pack that suits the number of people and the other snacks on the table. The net weight and stated number of servings help you compare a large bag with smaller packs.
Snack shoppers comparing labels
You check the fat, salt, ingredients and allergens for your chosen flavour and pack size. If you have an allergy, check the information on the current packaging. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains how allergens must be listed on food labels.
What should you look for?
First, decide whether the crisps are for a snack after training. Then choose a shareable amount and check the label for the exact product variant.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| When to eat | Keep your snack choice separate from the meals and drinks you’ve planned around your long run. | I want to share the crisps after training, so they don’t replace my preparation. This would be the most important consideration for around 46% of consumers. |
| How much to share | Compare the net weight and stated servings with the size of your group and the other snacks. | When the group gets together afterwards, I want to put out enough without having lots left over. A shareable amount would be the top priority for around 27% of consumers. |
| Nutritional information and allergens | Compare fat and salt per 100 g, and read the ingredients and allergen information on the current packaging. | I want to know what’s in my chosen flavour before sharing it with others. Around 27% of consumers would focus mainly on this label information. |
What to watch out for around training
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Using a large bag instead of planned running fuel
A shared snack serves a different purpose from the food and drink you plan for a long training session. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises planning your pre-exercise meal in good time.
First decide what and when you’ll eat and drink around your long run; choose crisps separately for the social occasion.
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Looking only at the weight of the bag
The net weight doesn’t tell you how much to put out per person. Jumbo also states the number of servings for its 250 g bag of plain crisps.
Compare the pack size with the number of people, and check the nutritional values both per 100 g and per serving.
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Assuming ‘lower fat’ means suitable running fuel
Comparing fat content alone doesn’t tell you where crisps fit into your plan for a long run. Other label details and portion size still matter.
Use a lower-fat option as a comparison for your snack, not as a reason to replace your planned food and drink.
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Relying on the label for a different flavour or size
Ingredients and allergens can vary between product variants. Older product information is no substitute for checking the pack you’re actually buying.
If you have allergies, read the ingredients and allergen information on the current packaging for the exact product variant.
Brands to compare
Lay's
Lay's offers several crisp ranges, including standard potato crisps and Oven Baked. Compare the specific product variant, not just the brand name.
- According to Lay's, Oven Baked Roasted Paprika contains 50% less fat than standard potato crisps; this comparison applies to the named range and reference product.
- A claim about one Oven Baked variant doesn’t tell you the nutritional value or pack size of every other Lay's crisp.
Pringles
A tube is a different packaging option from a large bag of crisps. Pringles Netherlands lists Original in 40 g, 70 g and 165 g sizes.
- The listed sizes give you the option to choose a smaller amount for your group.
- Check the ingredients and allergens for each flavour; information for Pringles Original doesn’t automatically apply to other variants.
Smiths
Smiths is mainly useful for distinguishing between product categories. According to Lay's brand history, the former potato crisps went on sale under the Lay's name.
- The brand history helps explain the difference between potato crisps and other savoury snacks.
- Don’t assume a Smiths savoury snack is the same type of product as a large bag of plain potato crisps.
Albert Heijn (AH)
Albert Heijn’s own-brand range includes AH Ridged Crisps Plain Lower Fat. This gives you a specific product variant to compare using the label information.
- The product name makes it clear which ridged crisp variant you’re comparing with standard plain crisps.
- Check the net weight and current nutritional information before choosing it as a pack for your group.
Jumbo
Jumbo lists plain crisps in a 250 g bag. This is a useful starting point when several people want to share a snack after training.
- Jumbo also states the number of servings for its 250 g bag, so you can compare the pack size with how it might be shared.
- A large bag alone doesn’t tell you whether the crisps are suitable fuel for running.
Lidl Snack Day
Snack Day is Lidl’s own brand, with a range that includes savoury snacks and crisps. Compare the exact flavour and pack.
- The range offers different snacks for sharing.
- Check the label on the specific product for ingredients and allergens, as Lidl also advises for its food products.
Crisps and multipacks at Joybuy
These options include one bag of plain crisps for a group, as well as smaller packs and multipacks for sharing. Choose a pack size for your post-training snack; don’t treat these products as interchangeable large bags.
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g'woon Plain Crisps, 250 g
A bag of plain crisps for sharing after training.
Net weight: 250 g. Compare the nutritional values per 100 g and per serving on the current packaging.
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Pringles Red Pepper potato crisps, 12 x 40 g
The individual tubes suit a group that wants to hand out crisps by the pack, rather than open one large bag.
Multipack of 12 x 40 g. If you have allergies, check the label for this Red Pepper variant.
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Croky Sharing Mix, 180 g
A crisp mix for sharing, with a different pack size from a large bag of plain crisps.
Net weight: 180 g. Check the ingredients and allergens for your chosen mix on the packaging.
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Lay's Oven Baked Natural, 150 g
A smaller bag for anyone looking to compare an Oven Baked variant specifically for their snack.
Net weight: 150 g. Compare the fat and salt in this Natural variant on the label; claims about other flavours don’t automatically apply.
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Lay's Cheetos Doritos Mega Box, 20 items
A multipack for handing out individual snacks, not one large bag of potato crisps.
The pack contains 20 items. Check the total net weight and the labels on the individual snacks if quantity, nutritional values or allergens are important to your choice.
Frequently asked questions
Can crisps replace food and drink during a long run?
No. Plan your food and drink for a long run separately from a bag of crisps for the group. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises having a meal and a drink around 2 to 3 hours before exercise; a shared snack serves a different purpose.
When is a large bag of crisps right for a training group?
A large bag works well when the group wants to share a snack after training. Choose a pack size to suit the number of people and what else is on the table, without treating the crisps as a replacement for a planned meal.
Should I choose a large bag or smaller packs?
Choose a large bag when you want to put out one shared amount; smaller packs work well when you want to hand them out individually. For example, Jumbo lists plain crisps in a 250 g bag, while Pringles Netherlands lists a 165 g tube among its Original sizes. Also compare the number of servings stated on the exact pack.
Where can I check the allergens in crisps I want to share?
If you have an allergy, check the label for the exact flavour and pack before sharing the crisps. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that allergens must be listed on the label; don’t rely on the ingredients for a different variant.