TV snackers keeping an eye on calories
You want to serve crisps in a bowl and compare both the calories per 100 g and the amount you actually eat, rather than relying on a term such as ‘light’.
Who will find this comparison useful?
Fans of classic crisps with less fat
You’re looking for a familiar potato crisp with a stated reduction in fat compared with a standard version. You also compare the calories and salt in the specific products.
Snack buyers who consider flavour and allergens
You like choosing a particular flavour, such as paprika or salt & vinegar, but want to know which ingredients and allergens are listed for that specific option.
What should you look for when choosing?
Start with the nutrition information per 100 g, then decide on your own portion size. After that, check whether the claims, flavour and ingredients suit your choice.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this most important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Calories and portion size | Compare the calories per 100 g and consider how many grams you put in your own bowl. | When I eat crisps during a long evening in front of the TV, I want to know how many calories are in my bowl. Around 33% of consumers put this first. |
| Reduced fat | Check which standard version the reduced-fat claim refers to, and look at the calories per 100 g too. | I want the familiar shape of potato crisps, but would prefer an option with a clearly stated reduction in fat. This matters most to around 27% of consumers. |
| Salt and ingredients | Compare the salt per 100 g in the specific options; use Nutri-Score only to compare products of the same type. | I look beyond calories when choosing what to put in my bowl, and want to consider the salt and ingredients too. This is the main consideration for around 20% of consumers. |
| Flavour and allergens | Read the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging for the flavour you choose. | I want a flavour I enjoy, but if I have an allergy or intolerance, I need to check the ingredients for that specific option. Around 20% of consumers put this first. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘reduced fat’ means ‘fewer calories’
Albert Heijn says AH Ridged Crisps Original Reduced Fat contains 35% less fat than AH Ridged Crisps Original. At 461 kcal per 100 g, this reduced-fat option has more calories per 100 g than the 428 kcal listed by Jumbo for Lay's Oven Baked Original.
Compare the energy, fat and salt values per 100 g for the options you’re actually considering.
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Assuming the stated portion is the same as your bowlful
The portion shown on the packaging may not match how much you serve yourself. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, a 40 g bowl of original crisps contains an average of 216 kcal.
Put your crisps in a bowl before you start, then work out the calories for the amount you’ve chosen.
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Comparing calories alone
Salt levels vary between options too: Pringles lists 1.7 g of salt per 100 g for Salt & Vinegar, while Jumbo lists 0.85 g per 100 g for Lay's Oven Baked Original.
Alongside the calories, check the salt content for the specific flavour in the nutrition table.
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Assuming the allergens in one flavour apply to another
Ingredients can vary between flavours. Pringles Salt & Vinegar lists barley and milk ingredients, among others; Jumbo lists milk and sulphites for Smiths Sticks Paprika.
If you have an allergy or intolerance, always check the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging you’re buying.
Brands and own-label options compared
Lay's
The Oven Baked range is worth considering if you want to compare oven-baked crisps with other options.
- Jumbo lists 428 kcal and 13 g of fat per 100 g for Lay's Oven Baked Original, and 128 kcal per 30 g serving.
- These values apply to the original flavour mentioned, not every Lay's flavour or pack size.
Albert Heijn
AH Ridged Crisps Original Reduced Fat is an own-label option for anyone looking for ridged crisps with a stated reduction in fat.
- Albert Heijn says it contains 35% less fat than AH Ridged Crisps Original.
- The reduced-fat option contains 461 kcal per 100 g. Check the nutrition information and allergens separately for other flavours; the sour cream & onion option lists milk and lactose.
Jumbo
As a retailer, Jumbo provides product information that lets you compare specific oven-baked crisps.
- The product information for Lay's Oven Baked Original lists values per 100 g and per 30 g serving.
- When buying, check the option you’ve chosen and its current packaging; information for one flavour doesn’t automatically apply to another.
Pringles
Salt & Vinegar is a shaped, stackable snack for anyone looking for that flavour and shape.
- Pringles lists 155 kcal per 30 g serving for Salt & Vinegar.
- The same option lists 518 kcal and 1.7 g of salt per 100 g. Be sure to check the allergen information for this flavour too.
Smiths
Sticks Paprika is a shaped snack for anyone who likes paprika flavour and wants something different from regular crisps.
- Jumbo lists 491 kcal per 100 g for Smiths Sticks Paprika and 147 kcal per average 30 g serving.
- Jumbo lists milk and sulphites for this option. Check the packaging if these ingredients are relevant to you.
Lidl
Lidl is worth considering if you want to portion out crisps into individual small bags.
- Lidl Netherlands describes a multipack of crisps containing 15 bags.
- To compare calories, check the nutrition information for the specific bags and see how many grams each one contains.
Oven-baked crisps on Joybuy
These are oven-baked crisps in a range of flavours and pack sizes. For your evening in front of the TV, compare the nutrition information for the specific flavour and decide how much to put in your bowl.
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Lay's Oven Baked Mediterranean Herbs, 150 g
Oven-baked crisps with a herby flavour, ideal for filling a bowl while you watch TV. Check the nutrition information and ingredients for this flavour on the packaging.
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Lay's Oven Baked Barbecue, 150 g
Oven-baked barbecue-flavoured crisps for anyone who wants to compare this flavour with other TV snacks. Check the calories per 100 g and the ingredients for the barbecue option.
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Lay's Oven Baked Paprika, 150 g
Oven-baked paprika-flavoured crisps if you’re specifically looking for paprika crisps for your evening in front of the TV. Check the nutrition information and allergens for this flavour on the packaging.
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Lay's Oven Baked Natural, 150 g
Oven-baked original-flavour crisps for anyone who doesn’t want a seasoned option. Check the nutrition information on this pack; don’t assume the values for a differently named original option are the same.
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Chio Oven Chips Sea Salt, 125 g
Oven-baked crisps with sea salt in a 125 g pack. For this flavour, compare both the calories and salt per 100 g, then decide how much you want to serve yourself.
Frequently asked questions
Do oven-baked crisps always have fewer calories?
No, you can’t tell from the cooking method alone. Jumbo lists 428 kcal per 100 g for Lay's Oven Baked Original, while Albert Heijn lists 461 kcal per 100 g for AH Ridged Crisps Original Reduced Fat. Always compare the specific options you’re considering buying.
Should I compare calories per 100 g or per serving?
Use calories per 100 g to compare options on a like-for-like basis, then work out the calories for the amount in your own bowl. A stated 25 g serving isn’t directly comparable with a 30 g serving.
Can Nutri-Score help me compare crisps?
Nutri-Score can help you compare products of the same type. The Dutch government recommends comparing like with like; also check the nutrition information and choose your portion size carefully.
What should I check if I have a food allergy or intolerance?
Read the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging for the exact flavour you choose. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that allergens must be declared on food labels; don’t assume the ingredients are the same as those in another flavour from the same brand.
How should I store crisps for another evening in front of the TV?
Follow the storage instructions on the packaging. The product information for the AH, Lay's and Smiths options mentioned says to store in a cool, dry place.