Student sharing a bag
You’re eating with others in the canteen and want an amount you can share. Albert Heijn lists a 250 g bag of AH plain crisps as containing ten 25 g servings.
Who are these options relevant to?
Student taking one portion along
You want to take crisps with you for a break between lectures without opening a large bag. Small packs or individual bags give you a set portion.
Shopper who needs to check the label
You check the ingredients, allergens, salt or nutritional information before choosing a flavour. Ingredients can vary between products and varieties.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you’ll be sharing the crisps or taking them along for one break. Then compare the pack and read the label for your chosen variety.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Amount to share | Check the net weight and the number of servings listed. | If I’m having lunch with others, I want a bag I can share without losing track of my own portion. Around 50% of consumers prioritise sharing and quantity. |
| Portion to take with you | Check the weight of each bag or tube and whether the pack can be resealed. | Between lectures, I want to be able to take a set amount with me. For around 30% of consumers, a portion to take away is the main consideration. |
| Ingredients and nutritional information | Read the allergen information and compare salt and nutritional values per 100 g or per serving. | If I need to watch ingredients or allergens, the label determines which variety I can choose. For around 20% of consumers, checking this is the main concern. |
Common mistakes
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Looking only at the size of the bag
A large bag doesn’t automatically give you the right amount for one lunch break. Albert Heijn lists ten 25 g servings in its 250 g bag of AH plain crisps.
Check the net weight and decide whether you’ll share the bag or measure out a portion for yourself.
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Treating plain crisps and shaped snacks as the same product
According to Jumbo, Smiths Sticks Paprika is a potato and corn snack containing milk and sulphites. You can’t assume the same ingredients apply to a bag of plain crisps.
Check the product type, flavour and ingredients of the exact variety you choose.
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Assuming a fat claim tells you everything about nutrition
According to its own brand information, Lay’s says its Oven Baked range contains 50% less fat than regular potato crisps. That claim alone doesn’t tell you the salt content or serving size of your pack.
Compare the nutritional information and ingredients list for the specific variety.
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Relying on an old pack if you have an allergy
Ingredients and allergens vary by flavour and can change. So a previous purchase won’t tell you everything about the pack you have in your hand now.
Before eating, read the label on the exact flavour and pack.
Brands to consider
Albert Heijn
AH plain crisps are a 250 g bag of potato crisps.
- Albert Heijn lists ten 25 g servings and describes the recipe for this plain variety as gluten-free, vegan and lactose-free.
- These descriptions don’t automatically apply to other AH flavours; check the label on the bag you choose.
Jumbo
Jumbo sells plain and paprika crisps, among other varieties, in 250 g bags.
- The packs listed give you a specific weight to compare with your lunch portion.
- Plain and paprika varieties don’t necessarily have the same ingredients; read the label for each flavour.
Lidl Snack Day
Snack Day is Lidl’s snack brand, with plain, paprika, bolognese and cheese and onion crisps among its range.
- You can explore different flavours within the same product range.
- Check the weight, ingredients and nutritional information on each pack; different flavours aren’t interchangeable.
Lay's
Lay’s range includes plain crisps, ridged MAX varieties, Oven Baked and multipacks.
- A multipack can be a good option if you’re looking for individual bags for several lunch breaks.
- According to its own brand information, Lay’s says Oven Baked contains 50% less fat than regular potato crisps. This claim applies to that range, not Lay’s plain crisps or the whole range; check the label of the variety you choose.
Pringles
Pringles Original is a stackable snack in tubes; Pringles lists 40 g, 70 g and 165 g sizes.
- The different sizes let you choose an amount to suit one break or several occasions.
- Pringles lists wheat flour in Original and says it may contain milk and soya. Check the pack if you have an allergy or intolerance.
Smiths
Smiths Sticks is a shaped snack; Jumbo lists Paprika and Barbecue in 100 g packs.
- According to Jumbo, the Paprika variety is a potato and corn snack for anyone specifically looking for this type of product.
- Smiths Sticks Paprika lists milk and sulphites. Check the ingredients and allergens for other flavours separately.
Crisps and snack packs for lunch
These packs are worth considering if you want to share crisps, take a portion with you or choose different snacks for several breaks. Compare the pack size and check the ingredients on each variety’s packaging.
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Croky Sharing Mix 180 g
A mix of crisps to share at lunch; the stated pack size is 180 g.
Check the mix breakdown and ingredients for each flavour on the pack.
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Pringles Original Crisps 12 × 40 g
The twelve individual 40 g tubes are handy for taking portions with you or sharing them out.
According to Pringles, Pringles Original contains wheat flour and may contain milk and soya; check the current label if you have an allergy or intolerance.
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Lay's Oven Baked Paprika 150 g
This 150 g bag is a good option if you want to measure out an amount for lunch yourself.
Check the ingredients and nutritional information for this paprika variety on the pack.
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Lay's, Cheetos and Doritos Mega Box, 20 pieces
This multipack of 20 is designed to let you spread individual snacks across several lunch breaks.
Check the contents of each pack and the ingredients and allergens for the individual snacks.
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Lay's and Doritos Chill Box, 12 pieces
This 12-piece multipack lets you take individual packs with you for different breaks.
Check the weight, ingredients and allergens for each individual pack.
Frequently asked questions
How do I compare packs of crisps for a university lunch?
First compare the same type of product and decide how much you want to eat or share at lunch. Then check the net weight and number of servings: Albert Heijn lists its 250 g bag of AH plain crisps as containing ten 25 g servings.
Is a large bag suitable for one lunch break?
A large bag is best if you’re sharing it or measuring out a portion yourself. If you want to take a set amount with you, consider a small bag or an individual tube and check the weight of each one.
What should I check if I have an allergy?
Read the ingredients and allergen information for the exact variety before eating it. According to Pringles, Pringles Original contains wheat flour and may contain milk and soya; Jumbo lists milk and sulphites in Smiths Sticks Paprika.
How much salt and energy are in a portion of crisps?
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives 0.53 g of salt and 215 kcal for an average 40 g bowl of crisps. This average isn’t the nutritional information for every bag: check the table for the product you choose and see whether the values are given per 100 g or per serving.