Crisps from a multipack aren’t an obvious snack to have just before a workout: according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, it’s best to avoid a large portion or a high-fat snack shortly before exercising. If you’re buying crisps for several snack occasions at home, choose a pack that makes it easy to keep track of portions, and check the nutritional information and allergens for each variety. A small bag isn’t a substitute for a suitable meal, and it’s important to drink enough around your workout.
If there’s not much time between eating and training, the size and make-up of your snack matter more than the size of the multipack. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends having a meal around 2 to 3 hours before exercise; a large or high-fat portion is less suitable just beforehand.
You’re buying snacks for several occasions or people at home, but don’t want to keep serving them from a large bag. Individual bags make portion sizes easier to judge. Check how much is in each bag, though, and whether everyone will eat the flavours in a mix.
For you, the fat, salt, nutritional value and ingredients of the variety you choose make all the difference. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s average figures are no substitute for the label on a specific product; with a mix, you’ll need to check each type of snack separately.
First, decide when you want to eat the crisps. Then choose between portioning them yourself from a large bag or buying individual bags. Only then compare the labels of the varieties you’ll actually eat.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Timing before your workout | How much time is there between your snack and your workout, and how large is the portion? | If I’m about to exercise, I don’t want to start with a large, high-fat portion. For around 42% of consumers, this pre-workout timing is the main consideration. |
| Portions and pack contents | Compare the number of bags, grams per bag and total contents; if you buy a large bag, decide on your own portion. | I want to share snacks between several occasions or people at home without having to estimate a portion each time. Around 33% of consumers give portion control top priority. |
| Label for each variety | Check fat and salt per 100 g and per portion, as well as the ingredients and allergens for each flavour. | With a flavour mix, I want to know what’s in the bag I pick up. For around 25% of consumers, nutritional information and allergens are the first things they consider. |
The size of the pack doesn’t change the timing. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, large portions and high-fat foods stay in your stomach for longer just before exercise.
Save crisps for another snack occasion if you’re about to work out. For a meal around exercise, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends using around 2 to 3 hours before your workout as a guide.
A box with lots of bags may contain different weights and types of snacks. With a large sharing bag, you’ll need to portion the crisps yourself.
Check the total contents, the amount in each bag and what’s in the mix. That way, you can choose a pack that suits the snack occasions and flavours your household enjoys.
Mix boxes may combine potato crisps with other snacks. This means ingredients, nutritional values and allergens can vary from bag to bag.
Read the information for the specific snack you want to eat. Don’t compare a mix as if it were one type of crisp when it contains different products.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives average figures of 8,8 g fat and 0,57 g salt for 40 g of light plain crisps, compared with 13,1 g fat and 0,53 g salt for 40 g of average crisps. These averages don’t tell you what’s in the variety you’ve chosen.
Check the current label for portion size and nutritional values per 100 g and per portion. Take the timing of your workout into account, too.
For anyone weighing up a large sharing bag against pre-portioned packs. Jumbo lists Lay's 300 g bags and a Party Mix with 15 individual bags; Albert Heijn also lists mixed snack boxes.
An option if you’re looking for crisps in tubes, in individual portions. Albert Heijn lists a Pringles Paprika 12-pack with 40 g tubes.
The own-brand range includes plain ridged crisps and a variety labelled ‘less fat’, according to Albert Heijn’s product pages.
The own-brand range is worth considering if you’re looking for a large bag and want to portion it yourself at home. Jumbo lists 250 g plain crisps and 335 g ridged crisps.
Lidl describes Snack Day as its own snack brand and also lists a crisp multipack. Check the specific pack if you’re looking for a supermarket brand with individual portions.
These products are most relevant if you’re buying crisps or a mixed snack box for several occasions. Individual packs make it easier to divide them up; if you’re choosing a snack just before a workout, still consider the timing, portion size and label.
Image unavailable
For anyone who wants to spread individually packed portions across several snack occasions. According to the product name, the pack contains twelve 40 g tubes; check the ingredients for this Original variety if allergens are a concern for you.
Image unavailable
For anyone who wants to store or take one flavour with them in individual portions. The product name lists ten 40 g bags. Compare the nutritional values on the pack per 100 g or per portion, and check the allergens for this flavour.
Image unavailable
For households looking to spread a snack mix across several occasions. The product name lists a total weight of 180 g; check the pack to see how much is in each bag, and check the ingredients for each flavour.
Image unavailable
For sharing a range of snacks between several people or occasions. The product name lists two packs of fifteen bags. As well as potato crisps, the mix contains corn snacks; check the nutritional information and allergens for each type of snack.
Image unavailable
For anyone who wants to spread a mixed box of individual snacks across several occasions. The product name lists twenty items. The box contains different types of snacks; check the contents, nutritional information and allergens for the bag you choose.
Crisps aren’t an obvious choice just before exercise. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against large portions and high-fat foods at that time; according to the Centre, 40 g of average crisps contains 13,1 g of fat. As a guide for a meal with a drink, it recommends eating around 2 to 3 hours before your workout.
Choose individual bags if you want to split up portions or take them with you; a large bag is a good option if you’d rather measure out your own portions. Compare the total contents and the amount in each bag, especially if a multipack also contains other snacks.
Yes, check the information for the specific snack you want to eat. Mixes can contain different ingredients and allergens. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority emphasises that allergens must be clearly stated on food labels.
Not necessarily: timing and portion size still matter. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives average figures showing that 40 g of light plain crisps contains less fat than 40 g of average crisps, but not less salt. So compare the nutritional information for the specific varieties rather than relying only on the claim on the front of the pack.
