Who are these options relevant to?

Walkers keeping an eye on calories and portions

You want to take a savoury snack with you and compare the energy per 100 g. The portion size helps you decide how many crisps to pack for your walk.

Walkers looking for a compact portion to take along

You also consider the packaging, for example if you’d rather not carry on walking with a large bag already open. For a longer walk, plan your food and drink separately from your crisps.

Walkers with an allergy or dietary restriction

First check the ingredients, allergens and any warnings on the packaging to see whether a particular variety is suitable for you. Then you can compare the nutritional information.

What should you look for when buying?

Start with the ingredients if there’s something you need to avoid. Otherwise, compare the kcal per 100 g, choose your portion and consider how the snack fits into your walking plans.

What to consider What to check before buying Who it matters to
Calories and portion size Compare kcal per 100 g and consider how many grams you want to take with you. When I pack crisps, I want to decide in advance how much I’ll eat. For around 50% of consumers, calories and portion size are the main priorities.
Eating on the go Check the packaging and plan food and drink for the length of your walk. On a longer walk, I want a snack that’s easy to take with me without forgetting a drink or a meal; this is the main consideration for around 30% of consumers.
Ingredients and allergens Read the label for your chosen variety, including any allergen warnings. If I need to avoid certain ingredients, my chosen variety must be suitable for my needs first. This check matters most to around 20% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Going by ‘light’ or ‘less fat’ alone

    These claims don’t tell you how many kcal are in the portion you actually eat. Albert Heijn’s product pages list 461 kcal per 100 g for AH Ribbelchips naturel minder vet and 490 kcal per 100 g for Lay's Light Naturel.

    Compare the energy per 100 g and use the portion size on the packaging to decide how much to have.

  • Taking crisps instead of food or drink

    Crisps are a savoury snack, not a substitute for water or a meal. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises recreational walkers to set off with a full stomach and take food and drink for the journey.

    Plan your drinks and other food separately; if you like, take crisps as a measured extra.

  • Relying on online product information

    Ingredients and nutritional information can vary between varieties or change when a recipe is updated. This is especially important if you need to avoid certain allergens.

    Before buying, check the ingredients, allergen information and nutritional details on the packaging you’ve chosen.

Brands worth comparing

Albert Heijn

AH Ribbelchips naturel minder vet is a specific plain variety; its product details don’t apply to other AH crisps.

  • Albert Heijn lists 461 kcal and 20 g of fat per 100 g for this variety, with a portion size of 25 g.
  • The product page describes this variety as vegan, gluten-free and lactose-free. If these details affect your choice, check them on the current packaging.

Lay's

Lay's offers Light and Oven Baked varieties, among others. Compare the nutritional information for the specific variety, rather than relying on the range name alone.

  • Albert Heijn lists 490 kcal and 21 g of fat per 100 g for Lay's Light Naturel.
  • The Albert Heijn product listing checked was for the 170 g pack in its range; check which variety is actually available to buy.

Pringles

Pringles Original comes in a tube. This packaging can be handy for keeping crisps safe on the go, but it doesn’t affect their energy content.

  • Pringles lists 528 kcal per 100 g for Original and 158 kcal per 30 g portion.
  • This variety contains wheat flour; Pringles lists milk and soya as possible allergens. Read the label if you need to avoid these ingredients.

Related products at Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Are crisps suitable as your only snack on a long walk?

Don’t use crisps as a substitute for a drink or a meal on a long walk. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises setting off with a full stomach and planning food and drink for the journey; a measured portion of crisps can also make a savoury snack.

Should I compare kcal per bag, per portion or per 100 g?

Start with kcal per 100 g to compare varieties on a like-for-like basis. Then check the portion size and how many grams you’ll actually take with you; a bag or tube may contain several portions.

Does ‘less fat’ mean crisps also contain fewer kcal?

Not necessarily: ‘less fat’ compares the fat content with a reference product, but doesn’t automatically mean fewer calories than every other variety of crisps. So check the kcal per 100 g for the products you’re considering.

How do I check for allergens in crisps?

Read the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging for your chosen variety, along with any warnings that are relevant to you. Don’t rely on the information for another product from the same brand or on older details online.

What if the online nutritional information differs from the packaging?

Use the nutritional information on the packaging you buy to guide your choice. Check whether the values are given per 100 g or per portion, so you can compare different varieties on a like-for-like basis.