Don’t buy crisps as a regular lunch or daily snack for toddlers: the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends foods from the Wheel of Five for children in this age group and advises against foods high in salt for under-fours. If the nursery’s food policy allows an occasional snack or treat, individual bags are easier to hand out than a large bag. Before serving them, check the age group, portion size, current label and each child’s dietary and allergy requirements.
For this age group, choosing the food comes before choosing the packaging. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends meals and snacks from the Wheel of Five for children aged one to three, and advises against foods high in salt for under-fours.
If the food policy allows it, they need to be able to count and hand out the bags. The labels must also be suitable for the children’s dietary and allergy requirements.
They weigh up buying a large bag against individual packs. Portioning snacks yourself takes time and care to ensure each child gets the right amount; once opened, a large bag may leave leftovers.
First decide whether crisps are suitable for the age group and permitted by the food policy. Only then compare the packaging and label information for an occasional treat that’s allowed.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Age and food policy | Check the ages of the children in the group and whether the nursery’s policy allows crisps for this occasion. For toddlers’ regular lunches, choose foods from the Wheel of Five. | I want to know whether crisps are suitable for this lunch before choosing a pack. For around 46% of consumers, suitability is their first concern. |
| Portions and allergens | Check the number of bags, the weight per bag, and the ingredients and allergen information on the current packaging. | When handing out snacks at an approved group event, I want to be able to give each child a portion and take dietary requirements into account. Around 27% of consumers put these checks first. |
| Portioning and storage | Check whether staff can measure out portions themselves and what will happen to any unopened bags or an opened large bag. | When buying for the group, I want to know how much work handing out the snacks will involve and whether any usable portions will be left over. This practical consideration matters most to around 27% of consumers. |
An individual bag makes snacks easier to hand out, but it doesn’t change where crisps fit into a child’s diet. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends meals and snacks from the Wheel of Five for toddlers.
First check whether the food policy allows crisps for the occasion. Choose something else for a regular lunch.
A large bag doesn’t contain separate portions, so staff have to portion out the crisps themselves. With individual bags, you can count the packs in advance.
Choose the packaging to suit the group size and who will be handing out the portions during the permitted occasion.
Albert Heijn points out that ingredients, nutritional values and allergy information can change. An earlier product listing is no substitute for checking the label on the pack you receive.
Read the labels with every delivery and check them against the group’s dietary and allergy requirements.
According to Lay’s own product information, its Oven Baked range contains less fat than regular potato crisps. This claim doesn’t mean that Oven Baked, or any other variety, is suitable as a regular lunch for young children.
Check the nutritional information for the variety you’ve chosen and assess its suitability separately, taking the age group and food policy into account.
Lay’s offers regular crisps, Oven Baked and individual bags, among other options. For example, Jumbo lists a 20-bag Paprika pack, with 40 g in each bag.
Pringles sells stacked crisps in tubes. Its product information lists Original in 40 g, 70 g and 165 g sizes.
Albert Heijn stocks crisps and multipacks.
Jumbo lists both larger bags of its own-brand crisps and own-brand individual bags, as well as Lay’s multipacks.
Snack Day is Lidl’s snack brand. Its crisp range includes, among other options, ready salted and paprika varieties.
This Joybuy selection includes crisp packs and mixed snack boxes to consider if the nursery allows an occasional treat. They are not alternatives to a regular lunch for toddlers. Before handing them out, check the contents of each variety and the group’s requirements.
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For handing out individually during an occasional treat that has been approved in advance. The product name lists ten bags of 40 g. Before serving, check the current label and the dietary and allergy requirements.
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For an approved occasional treat when individual packs are preferred. The product name lists twelve packs of 40 g. Check the current label to make sure this flavour meets the dietary and allergy requirements.
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A snack mix to consider for an approved occasional group treat. The product name gives the total pack weight as 180 g. Before handing it out, check the contents, the amount in each individual bag and the allergens listed on the packaging.
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For an approved occasional treat with individual bags. The product name lists 15 bags. Before handing them out to children, check the weight, ingredients and allergens for each variety.
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A mixed snack box to consider only for an approved occasional treat. It doesn’t contain crisps alone. The product name lists 15 items. Before handing anything out, check the contents, weight and allergens for each individual pack.
No. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends meals and snacks from the Wheel of Five for children aged one to three, and advises against foods high in salt for under-fours. A value pack or small bag doesn’t change this advice.
Check the children’s ages, the food policy and each child’s dietary and allergy requirements, then read the current label on the packs you’ve received. For individual bags, also check the number of bags and the weight per bag. Don’t rely on an old product description for ingredients or allergen information.
Individual bags are more practical if you want to count out and hand each child one sealed pack during an approved occasional treat. With a large bag, a member of staff has to measure out the portions. Also consider how much will be left over afterwards.
