A small bag of crisps can be a savoury snack alongside a regular meal after exercise, but it cannot replace that meal. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends eating a regular main meal after exercise; an average 40 g portion of crisps contains 2.5 g of protein. If you’re taking a snack with you, check the amount in each bag and read the nutritional information and allergen details on the packaging.
You want to take something savoury with you after work and a workout, while still having a regular meal later. A small bag helps you choose an amount in advance; according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, an average 40 g portion of crisps contains 2.5 g of protein.
You want to work out when you’ll have a regular meal after exercise. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends having one; crisps should be no more than an extra snack in that plan.
You check the salt, ingredients or allergens before choosing a flavour. Always check the current packaging, especially if you have an allergy: product information can change, and the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority stresses the importance of clear allergen information.
First decide what you’ll eat after exercise. Then choose how much you want to take with you and compare the labels of the snacks you’re considering.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Don’t replace your meal | Decide whether you’ll still have a regular meal alongside the crisps. If protein content matters to you, compare the amount per portion you plan to eat. | If recovery is my main concern, I don’t want a bag of crisps to replace my meal. That’s why around 42% of consumers put their meal first. |
| A portion to take with you | Check the weight of one bag and whether the pack contains individual portions. | I want to be able to take something savoury with me after work or a workout, without eating from a large bag while I’m out. For around 33% of consumers, choosing a snack portion in advance is the main consideration. |
| Labels and ingredients | Compare salt and nutritional information per 100 g and per portion. If you have an allergy, also read the current ingredients and allergen information. | When salt or an ingredient influences my choice, I want to know what’s in this particular bag. That’s the main buying consideration for around 25% of consumers. |
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends eating a regular main meal after exercise. An average 40 g portion of crisps contains 2.5 g of protein, so it’s no substitute for that meal.
Decide when you’ll eat, and choose crisps only as an extra savoury snack if you fancy them.
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, neither regular nor light crisps are included in the Wheel of Five. The word ‘light’ alone doesn’t tell you whether a product is suitable alongside your post-workout meal.
If you’re choosing between light and regular crisps, compare the nutritional information on the specific packs.
Ingredients and nutritional information can change. If you have an allergy, the information on the current packaging matters more than what you remember from a previous purchase.
Before buying, check the ingredients, allergens and salt content of the variety you’ve chosen.
If you want to choose a specific amount in advance, an individual bag gives you a clear portion straight away. A small bag doesn’t change the nutritional values per 100 g.
Choose an individual pack or portion out a larger bag in advance. Then compare the nutritional information for the amount you’ll actually take with you.
A brand to consider if you’re looking for plain potato crisps in individual bags. Jumbo lists Lay's Naturel in a pack of 20 × 40 g.
A brand to consider if you’re looking for stackable crisps in a smaller pack. Pringles Netherlands lists Original in pack sizes including 40 g, 70 g and 165 g.
Lidl’s own-brand range of crisps and snacks, worth a look if you want to explore different savoury flavours.
This selection includes potato crisps and similar savoury snacks in a range of pack sizes. First decide what kind of snack you want and how much you’ll take with you; don’t treat any of these products as a replacement for a regular post-workout meal.
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For anyone looking for a savoury snack to have alongside a meal. The pack contains 125 g of crisps; decide how much you want to take with you and, if you have an allergy, check the current ingredients.
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A 25 g bag for anyone who wants a small savoury snack to take with them. These are okra crisps, not regular potato crisps; check the nutritional information on the packaging if you’re comparing values per bag.
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A small 14 g savoury snack if you’re also considering seaweed crisps. This isn’t a regular potato crisp; check the current ingredients and allergens on the packaging.
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A savoury potato snack in stick form for anyone who wants to take a 22 g bag with them. It’s not a classic potato crisp; check the units used in the nutrition table on the packaging before comparing values per bag.
No, not if you’re putting that meal first. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends eating a regular main meal after exercise; an average 40 g portion of crisps contains 2.5 g of protein. You can have crisps as an extra savoury snack.
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, neither light nor regular crisps are included in the Wheel of Five. If you’re choosing between the two, compare the nutritional information on the specific products, but don’t let the word ‘light’ determine what you have for your meal.
No, crisps aren’t a standard choice for replacing fluids lost during exercise. Consider what you drink and when you’ll have a regular meal separately, and check the salt content on the label for the portion you choose.
Read the current ingredients and allergen information on the pack you’ve chosen. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority stresses the importance of clear allergen information on prepacked foods, so don’t rely solely on a previous purchase or a product image.
