Runners planning what to eat around long runs
If you’re considering crisps as fuel, planning your carbohydrates and fluids matters more than choosing a snack bag. Sportzorg highlights the importance of carbohydrates during intense exercise.
Who might find this choice relevant?
People buying crisps separately from their training plan
You’re looking for plain crisps for an occasional snack and comparing pack sizes to find one that suits the occasion. Crisps don’t need to play a part in your training strategy.
Snack buyers who want to compare labels
You’re considering regular or oven-baked crisps and checking the nutrition information and ingredients for the exact product. A difference in fat content doesn’t, by itself, tell you whether a product is suitable as marathon fuel.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you’re planning food for a long run or buying crisps for a separate snack occasion. For a snack, check the pack size and the label.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this mainly for? |
|---|---|---|
| Food around your long run | Plan your carbohydrates and fluids separately from your snack choice; try any regular snacks during training first. | For a long run, I don’t want a bag of crisps to replace my planned food and drink. Around 45% of consumers prioritise this choice of fuel. |
| Pack size | Compare the net contents of bags or tubes and decide how much you want to open for your snack. | If I eat crisps now and again, I want a pack that suits the occasion, without mistaking a small tube for a large bag. Pack size matters most to around 33% of consumers. |
| Nutrition information and ingredients | Read the nutritional values per 100 g and check the ingredients and allergen information for the exact product. | I want to be able to tell regular and oven-baked crisps apart, or know which ingredients are in the flavour I’ve chosen. Checking the label is a priority for around 22% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Treating crisps as regular marathon fuel
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre (Voedingscentrum) lists 20.9 g of carbohydrates and 13.1 g of fat in an average 40 g serving of crisps. That’s no reason to replace a planned carbohydrate and hydration strategy with crisps.
Plan your food and drink around your exercise separately, and try any regular snacks during training first.
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Confusing a lower-fat claim with sports nutrition
According to Lay's, its Oven Baked range contains less fat than regular potato crisps. That comparison doesn’t mean these crisps are suitable as your main fuel during a marathon.
Compare the nutrition information for the exact products if fat content matters to your snack choice.
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Relying on old product information if you have an allergy
Ingredients can change, and different flavours from the same brand may not have the same allergen information.
Check the label on the exact flavour and pack before eating.
Brands compared
Jumbo
Jumbo sells plain and ridged crisps under its own brand.
- Jumbo Chips Naturel comes in a 250 g pack. For this product, Jumbo lists 54.6 g of carbohydrates and 30.7 g of fat per 100 g.
- These nutritional values apply to this product, not all Jumbo crisps; they don’t make crisps a planned source of marathon fuel.
Albert Heijn
AH Chips naturel is an own-brand option for anyone looking for plain potato crisps.
- For its 250 g pack, Albert Heijn lists potato, sunflower oil and salt as ingredients.
- Albert Heijn says that ingredients and nutritional values can change, so check the pack.
Lay's
Lay's offers regular crisps as well as its oven-baked Oven Baked range.
- According to Lay's, Oven Baked crisps are baked in the oven. Compare the nutritional values of your chosen product if fat content is a priority.
- A claim about lower fat doesn’t automatically make Oven Baked suitable as fuel around a long run.
Pringles
Pringles Original is a shaped, stackable crisp available in different tube sizes.
- Pringles lists Original in 40 g, 70 g and 165 g packs.
- Pringles product information notes that the product may contain milk and soya; if you have an allergy, check the label on the tube you choose.
Lidl Snack Day
Snack Day is Lidl’s own brand for crisps and other snacks.
- Lidl lists Snack Day Naturel crisps as a 250 g bag available in store.
- Check the information on the exact pack in store, particularly if the ingredients matter to your choice.
Crisps for an occasional snack
These Joybuy products are oven-baked crisps and sea salt crisps for a snack alongside your training plan. Plan your food and drink for a long run separately.
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Lay's Oven Baked Natural 150 g
For anyone looking for oven-baked crisps as an occasional snack. 150 g bag; if you have an allergy, check the information on the pack.
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Chio Oven Chips Sea Salt 125 g
For a snack occasion when you fancy oven-baked crisps with sea salt. 125 g bag; if you have an allergy, read the label on the pack you choose.
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Farmhouse Biscuits Sea Salt Chips 150 g
For anyone looking for salted crisps as an occasional snack. 150 g bag; refer to the label on the exact pack for ingredient and allergen information.
Frequently asked questions
Are crisps suitable fuel for a marathon or long run?
Don’t use crisps as your main fuel strategy. Sportzorg highlights the importance of carbohydrates during intense exercise; plan your food and drink around your long run, and try any regular snacks during training first.
What should I look for when choosing plain crisps as a snack?
Compare the net contents and labels of the exact packs. Keep your snack choice separate from your plan for food and drink around marathon training.
Are oven-baked crisps automatically a better choice for marathon training?
No. According to Lay's, Oven Baked has a different fat content from regular potato crisps, but that product claim says nothing about whether they’re suitable as your main fuel during a marathon.
Which label should I check if I have an allergy?
Check the label on the exact flavour and pack you want to eat. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) highlights the importance of clear ingredient and allergen information on pre-packed foods.