If you pack one portion for each lunch
An individual bag can go straight into a bag or lunchbox. The Lay's boxes shown by Albert Heijn contain bags in different weights, from 20 g to 27.5 g, so check the weight of the bag you’re taking with you.
Which format works best for you?
First, think about whether you want to take a sealed pack for each lunch, share out a range of flavours or serve yourself portions from a resealable pack.
If you’re packing for several people or days
A mixed box gives you a choice of different snacks. Albert Heijn shows Lay's boxes containing fifteen and thirty individual bags. If you’re sharing them out, check the ingredients and allergens for each type, as these may differ between bags.
If you prefer to portion them yourself
A resealable pack works well for several snack breaks, as long as you’re happy to decide how much to take. For example, Albert Heijn shows a resealable 125 g Lay's Max snack tub and a Pringles Original multipack with twelve individual 40 g tubes.
What should you look for when choosing?
For lunch on the go, the first decision is whether you want a pre-portioned pack or to portion it yourself. Then compare the number of portions, flavour selection and label for the pack you’re considering.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who will find this most useful? |
|---|---|---|
| A portion ready to take with you | Check the number of individual bags and the weight of each one, not just the total contents of the box. | If I’m packing a lunchbox in a hurry, I want to take one sealed bag without measuring out crisps. For around 36% of consumers, having a ready-to-go portion is the top priority. |
| Variety to share | Check which flavours or types of snack are in the box and how many bags of each you’ll get. | When I’m packing lunches for several people, I want to offer a choice without ending up with flavours nobody eats. Flavour variety is the top priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Nutrition information and allergens | Read the ingredients, allergens and nutritional values for each type of bag you’re considering. Compare nutritional values on the same basis, for example per 100 g. | If a lunchbox snack needs to fit someone’s dietary choices, I want to know what’s in that particular bag. Around 21% of consumers prioritise checking the label. |
| A resealable pack | Check whether the pack is resealable and how many grams it contains. With a larger pack, you decide the portion size yourself. | I want to have crisps at different times and don’t mind portioning them myself. This flexibility matters most to around 14% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming all the bags in a mix have the same ingredients
A mixed box can contain different types of snack. Some of the Lay's boxes shown by Albert Heijn include milk, lactose and soya in certain varieties, so the ingredients in one bag won’t necessarily tell you what’s in the others.
Before buying or sharing a box, read the ingredients and allergen information for every type of bag someone will eat.
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Comparing only the number of bags
Bags in the same box can vary in weight. For example, Albert Heijn lists bags of 20 g, 21 g and 27.5 g in the Lay's Family Box. So the same number of bags doesn’t necessarily mean the same amount of crisps.
Compare the weight per bag and the total contents, as well as the range of flavours.
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Assuming a resealable tub contains pre-portioned servings
The Lay's Max snack tub shown by Albert Heijn contains 125 g of crisps. It’s resealable, but you’ll need to take out the amount you want for one lunch yourself.
Choose individual bags if a pre-portioned serving matters to you. Choose a snack tub if you’re happy to portion it yourself.
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Judging a product by the front of the pack alone
A flavour name or picture won’t tell you how much salt, fat or saturated fat a variety contains. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre points out that many products sold as snacks are high in calories or salt.
Use the nutrition table to compare varieties on the same basis, and check the labels on individual products in a mixed box.
Brands and places to shop for inspiration
These examples give you an idea of the types of packs available. A brand name alone won’t tell you which portions, flavours or ingredients are in a pack.
Lay's
Albert Heijn shows Lay's boxes with fifteen, twenty and thirty individual bags, as well as a resealable 125 g Max snack tub.
- You can choose between individual portions for lunch, a mixed selection to stock up on or a pack you can portion yourself.
- Ingredients, allergens and bag weights can vary between varieties in mixed boxes.
Pringles
Albert Heijn shows Pringles Original as a multipack of twelve individual 40 g tubes.
- Each tube is an individual, resealable pack for a snack break.
- A 40 g tube is a different size from a small sharing bag, so check the label for the flavour you choose too.
Albert Heijn
An AH Robuuste chips kaassmaak jalapeño 4-pack shows another use of the term multipack: Albert Heijn says this pack is delivered as separate items.
- The product description makes it clear that the pack contains four items.
- If you’re looking for small individual portions for lunch, check the contents of each item; a 4-pack doesn’t tell you this on its own.
Lidl
Lidl Netherlands lists a multipack of crisps containing fifteen mixed bags.
- The pack contains individual bags in a mix.
- Before choosing, check the flavour selection, weight per bag and nutrition information on the pack.
Smiths
Jumbo Supermarkets shows Smiths Sticks Barbecue and Paprika in 100 g packs.
- These are familiar flavours if you’re specifically looking for Sticks.
- A 100 g pack isn’t the same as a box of individual bags for lunch, so check the pack size before taking it with you.
Multipacks and portion packs of crisps on Joybuy
These products include individual bags for lunches or sharing, as well as a multipack of individual Pringles tubes. Within these pack formats, choose based on the number of items, the weight where listed and the ingredients of the variety you want to take with you.
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Lay's Cheetos Doritos Mega Box, 20 pieces
For anyone who wants individual packs to take with them, with a mix to share too. Check the contents and labels for the different types of bag in this box.
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Lay's Fun Mix Box, 2 × 15 bags
A box of individual bags for several lunches or sharing. If everyone is expecting a particular flavour, check which varieties and how many of each are in the mix. Check allergens for each type of bag.
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Lay's Doritos Chill Box, 12 pieces
A mix for anyone who wants to spread individual packs across several lunches. Check the weight and ingredients of the individual bags before packing them for a particular lunch.
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Lay's Fun Mix Box, 15 pieces
A pack of individual bags to pop into lunchboxes or share between several people. Before sharing, check which varieties are included and read the allergen information for each one.
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Pringles Original, 12 × 40 g
For anyone who’d rather take an individual tube for each snack break than a small bag. Each tube contains 40 g, so check whether that size suits your lunch and read the ingredients on the label.
Frequently asked questions
Are individual bags of crisps more convenient for a lunchbox than a large pack?
Yes, if you want to take one sealed pack without measuring out a portion. The Lay's boxes shown by Albert Heijn contain bags weighing from 20 g to 27.5 g. With a larger resealable pack, you decide how much to pack yourself.
Should I check the allergens in each bag in a mixed box?
Yes, check the type of bag the person is actually going to eat. Different products in the same box may contain different ingredients. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains how allergens are listed on food labels; always check the information on the relevant pack.
How do I compare the nutrition information for different crisps?
Compare the nutrition tables on the same basis, for example per 100 g, and also read the ingredients and allergens for the variety you’ve chosen. The front of the box doesn’t replace the information on individual products, especially in a mixed pack.
How should I store an opened resealable snack tub?
Follow the storage instructions on the pack and reseal the tub after use. The instructions for the Lay's Max snack tub shown by Albert Heijn are to store it in a cool, dry place.