Don’t replace a child’s usual nursery lunch with flavoured crisps. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends choosing foods from the Wheel of Five for toddlers between meals. If the nursery’s food policy allows an occasional crisps snack, compare similar products by their nutritional information, portion size and allergens. A different flavour doesn’t change what’s suitable for a regular lunch.
For teams weighing up a request to serve crisps with lunch. For toddlers, choosing foods from the Wheel of Five follows the Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s advice; a different crisp flavour doesn’t change that principle.
For settings where the food policy allows crisps on an exceptional basis. In that case, the agreed portion size, nutritional information and ingredients of the exact product become relevant.
For staff opening packaged snacks or sharing them between children. Flavours can contain different ingredients, so check the current packaging. If serving crisps loose, make sure allergen information is available.
First decide whether you’re choosing for a regular lunch or an occasional snack that’s allowed under the nursery’s policy. Only in the latter case should you move on to comparing crisp products.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who should give this more weight? |
|---|---|---|
| Place in the lunch | Decide whether crisps would replace a regular part of lunch. For toddlers, use the Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s advice about choosing foods from the Wheel of Five as your starting point. | When I’m putting together the daily lunch, I want to make sure a snack doesn’t take the place of the usual meal. Around 46% of consumers put this lunch choice first. |
| Allergens and nursery policy | Check the ingredients and allergens for the current product, and make sure the snack occasion is allowed under the nursery’s policy. | When serving a group, I need to know which product each child will receive and which allergens it contains. This is the main concern for around 36% of consumers. |
| Portion size and serving | Agree on a quantity in advance and compare nutritional information per 100 g, or calculate it for the chosen portion. Don’t let the size of the bag determine how much is served. | When I’m organising an exception for the group, I want to be able to serve the same agreed amount to everyone. Around 18% of consumers prioritise this practical aspect of serving. |
A difference in salt content can help you compare crisps, but it doesn’t mean crisps are a replacement for lunch foods from the Wheel of Five. The Dutch government also says Nutri-Score is intended for comparing products of the same type.
Decide on lunch first. Only compare crisps with each other if you’re choosing for an occasional snack that’s allowed under the nursery’s policy.
According to Jumbo’s product information, Jumbo Ribbel Chips Paprika contains milk. The allergen information for another paprika flavour may not apply to this product.
Check the packaging for each exact product. If crisps are served loose, make sure the relevant allergen information is also available.
Pack size and labelled serving size aren’t the same. Albert Heijn lists a 25 g serving for AH Ribbelchips Paprika and an average 30 g serving for Lay's Paprika.
Decide on the amount per child in advance, and use the same quantity as the basis when comparing nutritional values.
These brand examples can help you read labels for an occasional snack that’s allowed under the nursery’s policy; they’re not recommendations for a regular lunch. Always check the exact product.
Paprika crisps and mixed sharing packs call for different checks when serving a group.
With snacks in a tube, you still need to check the exact flavour and ingredients.
A supermarket own-brand option to compare with other paprika crisps of the same type.
The supermarket’s own-brand ridged paprika crisps provide a specific label to compare with similar products.
A paprika flavour for which checking the pack in store is a practical step.
These flavoured crisps are only relevant for comparison if the nursery’s policy allows an occasional snack. They’re not a selection for a regular nursery lunch. Agree on a portion before serving and check the current packaging.
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For comparison when an occasional snack is allowed; serve from the bag according to an amount agreed in advance.
Before serving this flavour, check the current packaging for ingredients, allergens and nutritional information.
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A paprika flavour to compare with other paprika crisps only for an occasional snack that’s allowed under the nursery’s policy.
If serving from the bag, decide on the amount in advance and check this product’s label for nutritional information and allergens.
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The individual packs can make planned serving easier during an occasional snack that’s allowed under the nursery’s policy; you don’t have to serve a whole tube as the agreed portion.
Check the current ingredients and allergens for this Red Pepper flavour. Information about Pringles Original doesn’t automatically apply to this flavour.
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Compare this paprika flavour only with similar crisps for a snack occasion that fits the nursery’s policy; the words Oven Baked don’t indicate whether it’s suitable for lunch.
Check the label for nutritional information, allergens and the amount you plan to serve.
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For an occasional snack that’s allowed under the nursery’s policy, decide in advance how much to serve from this sharing bag; don’t use the pack size as the portion.
Read the current nutritional information and allergen details on this pack before comparing it with other paprika crisps.
Compare paprika crisps with other paprika crisps, using the same quantity as your basis. Check salt and saturated fat per 100 g, calculate the figures for the agreed portion if needed, and read the ingredients and allergen information for the exact product. The Dutch government advises using Nutri-Score only to compare products of the same type.
If you’re serving food loose, information about relevant allergens must be available. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority provides guidance on information about the 14 allergens. Keep the details for the exact product being served to hand.
No. Individual snack bags can make sharing easier, but they don’t determine whether crisps are allowed under the nursery’s policy or what portion size you agree on. For a mixed-flavour pack, check each product separately; according to Jumbo, the nacho cheese flavour in Lay's Party Mix contains milk.
