Budget-conscious lunch shopper
You want to make sure you use all the contents of a pack. A large bag is most practical if you portion it out at home or buy crisps for several people.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Pupil taking one portion
You’re looking for an individually wrapped option for your lunchbox, so you don’t have to eat from a large, opened bag.
Parent or pupil with an ingredient or allergen query
You want to check the ingredients and allergens for the exact flavour and pack you’ve chosen before buying. Albert Heijn points out that product information can change, so it advises customers to read the label.
What should you consider when choosing?
Large bag
Best for: portioning out at home or sharing the contents with several people.
Consider: the portion isn’t pre-measured for a single school day.
Small bag or multipack
Best for: taking one individual pack with you without portioning it out at home.
Consider: check how much each bag contains and whether you’ll use all the varieties in a mixed pack.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is it important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Quantity and how you’ll use it | Check the pack size and think about how many portions you’ll actually use. | When I’m buying for several lunches, I don’t want to be left with a large, opened bag. Around 36% of consumers prioritise using the entire pack. |
| Portion size and taking it with you | For a multipack, check the number of bags and the weight of each one. Also check any school rules. | For my lunchbox, I want to be able to take one pack without portioning anything out at home. Around 29% of consumers prioritise having a ready-to-go portion. |
| Ingredients and nutritional information | Read the label for the exact variety: check the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information, including salt and fat per 100 g. | If I have an allergen query or am thinking about the rest of my lunch, I want to know what’s in this flavour. Checking the label is the top priority for around 35% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
-
Automatically choosing a large bag for one school day
A large bag doesn’t come in a pre-measured portion. For a single lunch, you’ll need to decide how much to take with you.
If you choose a large bag, portion it out at home, or take an individual bag with you.
-
Assuming every flavour contains the same allergens
Ingredients and allergens can vary between varieties. For example, the ingredients listed by Albert Heijn for Pringles Original 40 g include wheat flour.
If you have an allergy or intolerance, read the current label for the exact flavour and pack you’re buying.
-
Judging the product by the front of the pack alone
The ingredients list and nutrition table provide information you can’t tell from the product name.
Compare nutritional information, such as salt and fat per 100 g, and consider how the snack fits in with the rest of your lunch.
Brands to consider
Jumbo
Jumbo’s own-brand crisps come in varieties including ready salted, paprika and ridged. The flavour you prefer and the pack size will determine which option works best for your lunch plans.
- There are different flavours and pack sizes to compare.
- If you want to take one portion with you, you’ll need to portion out a large bag yourself.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn offers its own-brand products and product information for a range of crisp brands.
- Product pages can help you compare varieties before you buy.
- Albert Heijn says that information about ingredients, nutritional values and allergens can change. So be sure to check the packaging too.
Lidl
Lidl has its own-brand Snack Day range. The Snack Day Ready Salted crisps reviewed come in a 250 g pack.
- The stated pack size helps you decide whether you want to portion it out yourself.
- Lidl stated that this variety was only available in store.
Lay's
As well as larger packs, Lay's offers products with individual bags. According to the product page, the Lay's Family Box on Joybuy contains 15 bags of assorted snacks.
- Individual bags can save you the trouble of portioning out snacks for a lunchbox.
- For a mixed pack, check which snacks it contains and whether you’ll use all the varieties.
Pringles
Pringles is worth considering if you’re looking for this product’s distinctive packaging and shape. Be sure to check the ingredients for your chosen flavour.
- The Original variety reviewed at Albert Heijn is available in a 40 g pack.
- The ingredients list for this variety includes wheat flour; don’t assume other flavours have the same ingredients.
Products for individual portions and multipacks
This selection of Joybuy products includes small packs and multipacks of crisps or corn snacks. Choose according to the portion you want to take with you, and check the contents of each variety in mixed packs.
Image unavailable
Pringles Original Crisps, 12 × 40 g
For anyone who wants to take one small pack for each lunch. The multipack contains 12 packs of 40 g; check the label if you have any questions about ingredients or allergens.
Image unavailable
Lay's Bugles Nacho Cheese, 30 g
An individual corn snack for anyone who wants to pop a small pack into their lunchbox. It contains 30 g; check the ingredients for this Nacho Cheese variety.
Image unavailable
Croky Sharing Mix, 180 g
For anyone who wants to enjoy a mix over several occasions. The pack contains 180 g; check the selection and ingredients before choosing a portion to take to school.
Image unavailable
Lay's Cheetos Doritos Mega Box, 20 pieces
For anyone who wants to portion out different snacks for several lunches. This multipack contains 20 pieces; check the types, quantities and labels of the individual varieties.
Image unavailable
Lay's Doritos Chill Box, 12 pieces
A mixed pack for anyone who wants to take individual snacks with them. It contains 12 pieces; check the weight and ingredients of each bag you choose.
Frequently asked questions
Are crisps suitable as the mainstay of a school lunch?
No, don’t use crisps as a substitute for lunch. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre points out that many snacks are high in calories or contain a lot of salt, sugar or saturated fat. So consider a portion of crisps alongside everything else you’re taking with you.
What should I check if I have an allergy or intolerance?
Before buying, read the ingredients and allergens on the current label for the exact variety. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, relevant allergens must be listed in the ingredients for prepacked foods. Don’t rely on the brand name alone, or on information for a different flavour.
Can pupils take crisps to school?
Check your school’s rules before choosing crisps for a lunchbox. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises parents to check the school’s food policy and what it offers; there is no single rule that applies to every secondary school.