Sharing on the sofa
You want to put out enough crisps for everyone watching. The pack size and number of people sharing determine whether one bag will be enough.
Which option is right for you?
Portion and nutrition watchers
You want to control how much you serve and compare the nutrition information per 100 g or per portion. A bowl can help you avoid eating straight from an open bag.
Texture and ingredient choosers
You might be looking for ridged or stackable crisps, or checking for specific ingredients. If you have an allergy, the information on the exact pack is what matters.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide how many crisps you want to serve for your TV dinner, then choose the product type. Check the ingredients and nutrition information for the exact variant, rather than relying on the brand alone.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Quantity for sharing | Check the net weight and work out how much you want to put out for the number of people watching. | If several people are sharing, I want to choose a pack everyone can help themselves to. Around 36% of consumers prioritise having enough to share. |
| Portion and nutrition | Compare nutrition information on the same basis, such as per 100 g, and consider how much you’ll serve at a time. | I’d rather put out a measured portion in a bowl than serve a whole open bag. For around 29% of consumers, portion size or nutritional value is the main consideration. |
| Shape and packaging | Choose between regular potato crisps, ridged crisps and stackable crisps; also check the pack size. | For watching TV, the shape of the crisps or the packaging matters more to me than getting a larger quantity. This is the main reason for choosing for around 21% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients list, allergen information and any statement about the possible presence of allergens on the exact pack. | If I have an allergy, I need to know what this specific variant contains before serving it. Around 14% of consumers prioritise ingredients or allergens when choosing. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming a large bag is a single portion
A pack may contain more than you want to serve during one viewing session. For example, Jumbo lists ten 25 g portions in its 250 g Chips Naturel.
Check the pack size and stated portion size separately, then decide how much to put in a bowl.
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Assuming all plain variants have the same ingredients
According to Jumbo’s product information, 165 g Pringles Original contains wheat and may contain milk and soya. The ingredients list for Jumbo Chips Naturel, 250 g, is different.
Check the ingredients and allergens for each specific flavour and pack, especially if someone at the table has an allergy.
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Assuming a feature of one product range applies to the whole brand
Regular Lay’s potato crisps, MAX and Oven Baked are different product ranges. A statement from the manufacturer about one range does not automatically apply to the others.
Compare the product name and nutrition information for the variant you’re actually choosing.
Brands to consider
Jumbo
Jumbo’s own-brand crisps include plain and ridged varieties.
- Jumbo lists ten 25 g portions in its 250 g Chips Naturel.
- Check the ingredients and nutrition information again if you choose a different flavour or variant.
Lay’s
Lay’s offers classic potato crisps, ridged MAX and the Oven Baked range.
- Lay’s says the ridges in MAX are designed to give a harder crunch.
- Check nutrition information and ingredients for each product range and flavour, rather than for the brand as a whole.
Pringles
Pringles is an option if you want to serve stackable crisps in a tube.
- The Pringles Original variant described by Jumbo is sold in a 165 g tube.
- That product information lists wheat and the possible presence of milk and soya; check the current pack before buying.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn is an own-brand option for comparing product information across different crisp variants.
- The 200 g AH Chips Naturel variant described listed potatoes, sunflower oil and salt.
- Albert Heijn marked that specific variant as discontinued; check which product is currently available to choose.
Lidl Snack Day
According to Lidl, Snack Day is its own brand for a range of crisps and snacks.
- Lidl describes Snack Day Ribbelchips Naturel as a 250 g pack.
- Lidl says this variant is only available in store; check the pack there.
Crisps on Joybuy
These products come in different pack sizes and formats for a TV dinner: individual tubes, a pack of twelve small portions and bags of crisps. Compare the exact pack size and ingredients before choosing.
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Pringles Original Chips, 12 × 40 g
A good option if you want to set out separate small packs for several viewing sessions. This pack contains twelve 40 g portions; check the information on the tubes for allergens.
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Lay’s Oven Baked Natural, 150 g
A 150 g bag for anyone specifically looking to serve Lay’s Oven Baked. Compare the nutrition information and ingredients on this pack with those of other crisps you’re considering.
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Pringles Original Crisps, 165 g
A single 165 g tube if you want to put out stackable crisps. Jumbo lists wheat and the possible presence of milk and soya in its 165 g Pringles Original; check the label on this tube.
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Farmhouse Biscuits Sea Salt Ribbed Chips, 150 g
A 150 g bag for anyone looking to serve ridged crisps with sea salt. Check the ingredients and allergens on the pack if they’re relevant to your choice.
Frequently asked questions
Is a large bag handy for every TV dinner?
A large bag is most suitable when you want to share it with several people. Check the portions listed on the pack too: for example, Jumbo lists ten 25 g portions in its 250 g Chips Naturel.
How do I compare the nutritional value of two types of crisps?
Compare the same nutritional values per 100 g, then consider how much you’ll actually serve. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, an average 40 g bowl of crisps contains 215 kcal, 13,1 g of fat and 0,53 g of salt; the values for a specific variant may differ.
Are Pringles Original and plain potato crisps the same product?
No, they can differ in shape and ingredients. The 165 g Pringles Original described by Jumbo contains wheat, while Jumbo lists potatoes, sunflower oil and salt for its 250 g Chips Naturel.
Should I check allergens again when choosing a different crisp variant?
Yes. If you have an allergy, check the ingredients and allergen information for each specific variant again. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority stresses that allergens must be clearly shown on the label; don’t rely on the packaging for another flavour.
How should I store crisps once they’re open?
Follow the storage instructions on the pack you’ve chosen and seal opened crisps well. Jumbo recommends storing its Chips Naturel in a cool, dry place; an earlier-described pack of AH Chips Naturel recommended storing it in a sealed container after opening.