Sportspeople who take a savoury snack with them
A sealed bag can go straight into your gym bag, so you don’t have to carry an opened large bag. Check the weight per bag: the number of portions alone doesn’t tell you how large they are.
Who are these packs useful for?
Households that share snacks
If you use the same box at home and on the go, a mix of flavours can be useful. Check how the varieties are divided up, so you know which bags you’ll actually want to eat.
Shoppers who read labels carefully
In a mixed box, ingredients and allergens can vary between varieties. Check the ingredients list, allergen information and nutritional details on the packaging of the snacks you choose.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you’re looking for a single sealed portion, a choice of flavours or a useful supply. Then check the contents of each bag and the labels for each variety.
| What to consider | Check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Individual portions | The number of sealed bags and the weight of each bag. | I want to grab one bag without putting an opened large bag in my gym bag. An estimated 33% of consumers say individual portions are their top priority. |
| Flavour variety | Which varieties are included and how many bags you get of each. | If I’m sharing the box at home too, I don’t want to take the same flavour every time. An estimated 27% of consumers mainly choose a multipack for the variety. |
| A useful supply | The total weight and whether the portions suit how often you take crisps with you. | I want a box I’ll actually use, not just one with lots of bags on the packaging. An estimated 20% of consumers say having a useful quantity is their main concern. |
| Label and nutritional information | Ingredients, allergens and nutritional values for the varieties you’ve chosen. | With a mix, I want to know what’s in each type of snack before I take a bag with me. An estimated 20% of consumers say checking this is their highest priority. |
Common mistakes
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Comparing only the number of bags
Bags in different boxes don’t have to weigh the same. For example, Jumbo lists Lay’s packs of 20 × 40 g, so the same number of bags doesn’t tell you how much you’ll be taking each time.
Compare the weight per bag and the total contents with the number of portions you want to use.
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Assuming all the snacks in a mix have the same ingredients
A mixed box may contain varieties with different allergens. According to Joybuy’s product information, the Lay’s Mega Box contains milk and soya, among other ingredients.
Read the ingredients and allergen information on the current packaging of the variety you want to eat, rather than relying on the front of the box alone.
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Assuming a small bag is automatically a high-protein snack
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre states that 40 g of crisps contains 2.5 g of protein on average. This average isn’t the nutritional value for every product or portion.
If protein content matters to your choice, compare the nutritional information per portion on the label.
Brands to consider
Lay's
Albert Heijn lists both mixed Lay’s boxes and sharing bags; Jumbo also offers boxes with a single flavour.
- According to Albert Heijn, the Lay’s Mega Box contains 20 bags of different snacks, while the Celebration Box contains 30 bags with several varieties.
- A mix may include savoury snacks other than classic potato crisps. Check the contents and allergens for each variety.
Pringles
If you’re comparing Pringles with bagged crisps, the packaging is an important difference to consider.
- Albert Heijn lists a Pringles multipack that includes Pringles Original, 165 g.
- Check the current pack contents and the size of the individual packs before choosing it as a snack for your gym bag.
Smiths
Smiths Sticks is a shaped savoury snack for anyone looking for this type of snack rather than classic potato crisps.
- Jumbo lists Smiths Sticks in paprika and barbecue flavours.
- The 100 g pack of Sticks Paprika listed by Jumbo isn’t confirmed as a box of individual mini portions. Jumbo lists milk and sulphites as allergens for this product.
Albert Heijn
As a retailer, Albert Heijn provides product information that helps you compare the contents of snack boxes and individual products.
- Product pages include details such as the contents of the Lay’s Mega Box and Celebration Box.
- For ingredients, allergens and nutritional values, also check the packaging of the product you actually buy.
Snack Day
Snack Day is Lidl’s own brand, offering crisps and other savoury snacks.
- Lidl describes several types of savoury snacks under the brand.
- Check each product to see whether the pack contains individually sealed bags if that’s what you’re looking for to take in your gym bag.
Crisps and snack mixes on Joybuy
This selection includes mixed boxes and multipacks with a single flavour. Compare the portions and packaging for each product with what you want to take in your gym bag.
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Lay's Fun Mix Box, 2 × 15-pack
A mixed pack for anyone who wants to spread their snacks across several occasions. The product name lists 2 × 15 items; check the weight and ingredients for each variety on the packaging.
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Lay's Cheetos Doritos Mega Box, 20 stuks
For anyone who wants to share individual bags and different savoury snacks between home and on the go. Joybuy lists 20 pieces; check the ingredients and allergens for your chosen variety in this mix.
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Croky Sharing Mix, 180 g
A mix to consider if you want to share snacks at home and on the go. The pack lists 180 g; check whether it contains individually sealed portions if you want to take one bag at a time.
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Pringles Red Pepper, 12 × 40 g
An option if you’re looking for individual portions in a single flavour. The product name lists 12 × 40 g; consider whether the portion size and packaging will fit in your gym bag.
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Lay's Doritos Chill Box, 12 stuks
A mixed box for anyone who wants to spread their snacks across several occasions. The product name lists 12 pieces; check the weight per portion and the ingredients of each variety you want to take with you.
Frequently asked questions
Can I take a bag of crisps with me after exercising?
Yes, a sealed bag is handy if you fancy something savoury. If the nutritional content matters to you, check the information for the specific portion; the Netherlands Nutrition Centre states that 40 g of crisps contains 2.5 g of protein on average.
Should I check the allergens in each variety in a mixed box?
Yes, check the ingredients list for the varieties you want to eat. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains how allergens are listed on labels for pre-packed foods; ingredients can vary between snacks in a mixed box.
How do I compare a box of 20 bags with one of 30?
Compare the weight per bag, the total weight and the mix of flavours, not just the number of bags. A box with more bags may not be the best fit for the portions you want to take with you.
How should I carry crisps in my gym bag?
Take an unopened bag and place it in your bag so the packaging is unlikely to get damaged. Follow the storage instructions on the packaging.