Shoppers comparing calories
You want to share crisps during a snack night, so you compare the energy per 100 g as well as the amount that goes into the bowl.
Who is this comparison for?
Fans of ridged crisps
You’re looking for a lower-fat option but still want ridges to be part of your decision. Compare a lower-fat option with the regular ridged crisps you would otherwise choose.
Readers of ingredient and nutrition information
For you, salt, ingredients and allergens matter as well as calories. The packaging for the flavour you choose is more important than a general claim on the front.
What should you look for when choosing?
Start by comparing crisps per 100 g, then check your actual portion. Use the fat, salt and ingredients information to work out which differences matter to you.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Calories per snack occasion | Compare calories per 100 g, then work out the amount for the portion you’re serving. | When I put crisps out, I want to know how many calories are in my own bowl. Around 36% of consumers give this calorie comparison the highest priority. |
| Fat and crisp texture | Check fat per 100 g and compare a lower-fat option with a regular version of the same type. | I want to compare lower-fat options without losing sight of the ridges I’m after; around 29% of consumers prioritise this combination. |
| Salt and ingredients | Check salt per 100 g, the ingredients list and the allergen information for the flavour you choose. | Energy isn’t the only thing that matters when I choose: I want to know what’s in the crisps. Salt or ingredients are the main consideration for around 21% of consumers. |
| Portion size and availability | Check the portion guidance and pack size; before ordering, make sure the option you want is available. | I want to decide in advance how many crisps to serve and choose an option I can order. For around 14% of consumers, this practical consideration matters most. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘lower fat’ means ‘low in calories’
A fat comparison doesn’t tell you how much energy you’ll consume. Jumbo lists 428 kcal per 100 g for Lay’s Oven Baked Natural; Albert Heijn lists 461 kcal per 100 g for its lower-fat natural-flavour ridged crisps.
Compare calories and fat per 100 g with the regular option you’re considering, then factor in your portion size.
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Assuming the label’s portion is the same as your own
A value per portion applies to the stated amount, not automatically to a full bowl. Voedingscentrum gives an average of 215 kcal for a 40 g bowl of crisps. This is an average, not a figure that applies to every option.
Measure out the amount you want to eat into a bowl beforehand, then use the nutrition information for your crisps to assess that portion.
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Looking only at calories
A lower calorie count doesn’t tell you anything about salt or allergens. According to Pringles’ product information, Original contains wheat and may contain milk and soya.
For each flavour you choose, check the current ingredients list, allergen information and salt content per 100 g.
Brands compared
Lay’s
The Oven Baked Natural and regular Natural options reviewed here show why you should compare specific products, even within the same brand.
- Jumbo lists 428 kcal, 13 g fat and 0,85 g salt per 100 g for Oven Baked Natural; Albert Heijn lists 517 kcal, 30 g fat and 1,1 g salt per 100 g for regular Lay’s Natural.
- These figures apply to the natural-flavour options mentioned. For other flavours, check their own nutrition information.
Albert Heijn
Its own-brand ridged crisps let you compare a lower-fat option with a regular natural-flavour version.
- Albert Heijn lists 461 kcal and 20 g fat per 100 g for its lower-fat natural-flavour ridged crisps, compared with 528 kcal and 31 g fat per 100 g for regular AH natural-flavour ridged crisps.
- The ‘lower fat’ claim refers to a comparison with the regular ridged crisps. Assess the calories and your portion separately.
Jumbo
Jumbo is a retailer reference for comparing different oven-baked crisps and lower-fat options.
- Jumbo’s product information for Lay’s Oven Baked Natural lists energy, fat and salt per 100 g, so you can compare these figures with a regular option.
- A category description doesn’t tell you the nutrition values for a specific flavour; check the product information and packaging for those.
Pringles
Original is a useful reference for shoppers who want to include formed crisps in their comparison too.
- Pringles lists 528 kcal, 31 g fat and 1,0 g salt per 100 g for Original.
- According to the product information, Pringles Original contains wheat and may contain milk and soya. Check the packaging if allergens are relevant to your choice.
Oven-baked crisps on Joybuy
These products are oven-baked crisps in a range of flavours. For your snack night, compare the nutrition information for the flavour you choose and decide how much you want to serve. Figures for other natural-flavour options won’t necessarily apply to these packs.
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Lay’s Oven Baked Mediterranean Herbs – 150 g
A good choice if you want to serve oven-baked crisps with a herb flavour. Compare the nutrition information for this flavour per 100 g and decide how much of the 150 g bag to put out.
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Lay’s Oven Baked Barbecue – 150 g
If you’re looking for an oven-baked barbecue option, this bag contains 150 g. Check the nutrition information for this flavour and work out the portion you’ll serve.
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Lay’s Oven Baked Paprika – 150 g
If you fancy paprika-flavoured oven-baked crisps, check the calories per 100 g for this 150 g bag and look at the ingredients for the paprika flavour.
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Lay’s Oven Baked Natural – 150 g
If you want to compare an oven-baked option without a specified herb flavour, use the nutrition information for this 150 g bag. Don’t assume that the figures for Lay’s Oven Baked Natural sold by another retailer apply to this product.
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Chio Oven Chips Sea Salt – 125 g
If you want to compare oven-baked sea salt crisps with options from other brands, this bag contains 125 g. Check the salt content for this flavour separately and look at the allergen information on the packaging.
Frequently asked questions
Are lower-fat crisps also lower in calories?
Not necessarily: compare the energy value of the specific products. Albert Heijn lists 461 kcal per 100 g for its lower-fat natural-flavour ridged crisps and 528 kcal per 100 g for regular AH natural-flavour ridged crisps. But a lower-fat claim on another option doesn’t tell you its calorie value.
Should I compare crisps per 100 g or per portion?
Use both: comparing per 100 g lets you assess different options side by side, while your actual portion determines how much you eat. Voedingscentrum gives an average of 215 kcal for a 40 g bowl of crisps. To work out your own portion for a particular product, use the nutrition information on the packaging.
Can Nutri-Score help me choose crisps?
Nutri-Score can help you compare products within the same category, as Lidl Nederland explains. Don’t use the score as a substitute for nutrition information: when choosing crisps, also check the calories, salt and the amount you want to eat.
What should I look out for if allergens are a concern?
Read the allergen information for the exact flavour and pack you’re choosing. According to the product information, Pringles Original contains wheat and may contain milk and soya; don’t assume this information applies to other crisps or flavours.