Stock-up shopper
You’re buying crisps for several working-from-home lunches and want to know how many usable portions you’ll get from a big bag or multipack. Also check whether you’ll use them before they go stale.
Which pack is right for you?
Remote worker who prefers set portions
You like to set aside an individual bag or tube for each working day. A multipack makes it easier to portion them out than sharing from one big bag.
Label-conscious snacker
You compare the nutritional information and check the ingredients and allergen details on the pack of the variety you plan to eat.
What should you look for?
First, decide whether you’ll portion out the crisps yourself or prefer individual portions ready to go. If you’re choosing a mix, check that every type of snack is suitable for everyone eating it.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and pack contents | Check the total weight in grams, the number of packs and the best-before date. | If I’m buying for several lunches, I want to use them while they’re still crisp. For around 36% of consumers, having enough in stock is the top priority. |
| Individual portions | Check how many bags or tubes are included and how many grams each contains. | I want to be able to set aside one pack for each working day at home without opening a big bag. Around 29% of consumers prioritise set lunch portions. |
| Nutritional value | Compare the nutritional information per 100 g and per portion, including energy, fat and salt. | I want to know the nutritional values for the amount I’ll actually eat. This is the top priority for around 21% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | If you’re buying a mix, check the current packaging for each type of snack; ingredients can vary between flavours. | If ingredients or allergens are important to me, every variety I choose needs to be suitable. This is the main concern for around 14% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
-
Looking only at the number of packs
Lots of small bags and one big bag can differ considerably in total weight and in how much you get per lunch.
Compare the weight of the whole pack and, for a multipack, the weight of each individual bag.
-
Assuming a multipack has different nutritional values
The packaging format doesn’t change the nutritional value of the amount of crisps you eat. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists 215 kcal for an average 40 g portion of crisps.
Check the nutritional information for the variety you’ve chosen and decide how much you want to eat.
-
Checking only one type of snack in a mix
Ingredients and allergens can vary between items. For example, Jumbo lists milk and soya in the Lay's Family Mix, with a warning that it may contain cereals containing gluten and wheat.
Check the current packaging for each type of snack if that information matters to your choice.
-
Assuming online nutritional information is definitive
Ingredients and nutritional information can change, which is why Albert Heijn advises shoppers to check the packaging alongside its product information.
Before eating, check the label on the pack you’ve actually received.
Brands to consider
Lay's
The range includes big bags, multipacks and mixed boxes.
- Jumbo lists Lay's Ready Salted in a 300 g bag and a multipack of 20 × 40 g.
- For mixed boxes, check the allergens for each type of snack; the Lay's Family Mix lists milk and soya, among other allergens.
Pringles
Crisps in tubes are an option if you want to set aside individual packs.
- Albert Heijn lists a Paprika multipack of 12 × 40 g.
- The Paprika variety listed by Albert Heijn contains wheat and milk and may contain soya; check the packaging for your chosen flavour.
Smiths
A brand to explore if you’re looking for a smaller, individual bag of shaped crisps or sticks.
- Jumbo lists Smiths Sticks Barbecue in a 100 g bag.
- Check the packaging if you specifically need individual portions for lunch.
Albert Heijn-huismerk
An own-brand option to compare with branded crisps for pack size, flavour and label information.
- Albert Heijn lists AH Ready Salted Crisps, among other products.
- Check the ingredients and allergens on the current packaging; online product information can change.
Snack Day
Lidl’s own brand, with a range of crisp flavours to explore.
- Lidl lists Ready Salted, Paprika, Bolognese and Cheese & Onion crisps among the Snack Day range.
- Check the pack size, ingredients and nutritional information for the variety you choose.
Multipacks and snack mixes at Joybuy
These individually packed crisps and snack mixes are for anyone who wants to set aside portions or share a selection of snacks. For mixed boxes, check what each type of snack contains.
No image available
Lay's Fun Mix Box Crisps, 2 × 15 bags
A selection of individual snacks to set aside for several lunches. The pack contains two sets of 15 bags.
Check the ingredients and allergens for the different types of snacks on the current packaging.
No image available
Lay's Fun Mix Box Crisps, 15 bags
A box of individual bags for anyone who wants to portion out snacks for each lunch. The pack contains 15 bags.
Check the packaging for ingredients and allergens for each type of snack.
No image available
Croky Sharing Mix, 180 g
A snack mix to consider if you want to share something at lunchtime. The pack contains 180 g in total.
Check the contents of each individual pack and the current ingredients if they matter to your choice.
No image available
Lay's, Cheetos and Doritos Mega Box, 20 items
A mixed box for several snack breaks or people. The product name lists 20 items.
Check which types of snacks are included, how many of each you’ll get and the ingredients for each variety.
No image available
Pringles Original Crisps, 12 × 40 g
Individual tubes for anyone who wants to set aside one pack for each working day at home. The product name lists 12 tubes of 40 g.
This is the Original variety, not Paprika; check the ingredients for your chosen flavour.
Frequently asked questions
When should I choose a big bag instead of individual bags?
A big bag is a good choice if you’re eating with other people or want to portion out smaller amounts yourself. Choose individual bags if having portions ready for your working-from-home lunch is more important.
Are small bags a different nutritional choice from the same amount out of a big bag?
The pack size doesn’t change the nutritional value of the same amount of crisps. For your chosen variety, compare the nutritional information per 100 g and per portion on the label.
Should I still check the packaging when shopping online?
Yes, especially if ingredients or allergens affect your choice. Albert Heijn warns that online product information can change and recommends checking the packaging before eating the product.
Do all the snacks in a mixed box contain the same allergens?
Don’t assume they do: different snacks in the same mix may contain different ingredients. Check the allergen information for every item on the current packaging.