If you have diabetes, the size or flavour of a sharing bag of crisps doesn’t tell you much by itself about how many carbohydrates you’ll eat. Compare the nutritional values per 100 g, decide how many crisps you’ll have and check the salt and saturated fat too. Diabetes Fonds says that carbohydrates and these other nutritional factors are relevant when planning a snack of crisps. A claim about less salt or fat doesn’t replace portion control.
You want to be able to work out how many carbohydrates are in your own portion when you’re having drinks with friends. Diabetes Fonds says that counting carbohydrates is important for people with type 1 diabetes; a clear label and a measured portion can help you plan.
You compare crisps not only by flavour, but also by their salt and saturated fat content per 100 g. Diabetes Fonds highlights both of these nutritional factors for people with diabetes.
You’re putting crisps out for several people, but want to decide on your own portion in advance. Individual bowls or smaller packs can make this easier than eating straight from one large bag.
Start with the carbohydrates and the amount you want to serve yourself. Then compare salt and saturated fat on the same basis: per 100 g.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who is this most relevant to? |
|---|---|---|
| Carbohydrates in your own portion | Check the carbohydrates per 100 g and decide how many grams you’ll serve yourself. Use any stated serving size to help with your calculations. | If I want to plan my own amount when I’m having drinks with friends, I need to know how many crisps are in my bowl. For around 40% of consumers, planning carbohydrates is the top priority. |
| Salt and saturated fat | Compare both values per 100 g on the current packaging; a claim about less salt says nothing about the other nutritional values. | I want to choose a sharing bag without relying solely on a lower-salt claim. For around 30% of consumers, comparing salt and saturated fat matters most. |
| Portioning the pack | Check the net weight and whether you can portion out the crisps in advance. A resealable tub won’t automatically limit your portion. | When I’m eating with other people, I want to be able to take my own portion without repeatedly eating from the pack. Portion control is the main concern for around 30% of consumers. |
The flavour name doesn’t tell you how many carbohydrates crisps contain. For example, Albert Heijn lists Lay's Chips naturel 275 g as containing 55 g of carbohydrates per 100 g.
Check the nutritional information per 100 g, then take the amount you’ll actually eat into account when comparing products.
According to the label, Lay's Chips naturel 275 g, as listed by Albert Heijn, has 25% less salt than regular potato crisps. It also contains 55 g of carbohydrates and 29 g of fat per 100 g.
Use the salt value to compare it with other crisps, and decide on your own portion separately.
When everyone takes crisps from the same bag, it’s harder to keep track of how much you’ve eaten. Diabetes Fonds describes crisps as something to enjoy occasionally and in limited amounts.
Divide the crisps between bowls in advance and keep the rest aside.
Pringles lists wheat as an ingredient in Original and states that it may contain milk and soya. Ingredients and nutritional information can change.
Check the current packaging when you buy it, especially if allergens or nutritional values are important to your choice.
Lay's offers plain crisps in larger bags, among other options, as well as an Oven Baked range.
Original is available in a 165 g tube that you can spread across several snack occasions.
Jumbo’s own-brand range includes plain crisps in a 250 g bag and ridged plain crisps in a 335 g bag.
Albert Heijn sells own-brand plain crisps and provides nutritional information for various crisp products.
Lidl lists Snack Day Ribbelchips naturel in a 250 g pack for in-store purchase.
These Joybuy products offer different ways to share crisps: individual small packs, multipacks of tubes and bags that you can portion out yourself. For your own portion, always compare the current nutritional information for the variant you choose.
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The individual tubes are a handy option if you want to share crisps between several people or occasions. Decide how much you’ll have and check the nutritional information on this pack.
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You can portion this bag into bowls for a get-together. The name Oven Baked doesn’t indicate how many carbohydrates it contains: check the current nutritional values and decide on your own portion.
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Three tubes can be spread across separate get-togethers. A tube isn’t an individual portion, so serve yourself the amount you want and check the current nutritional information.
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This mix is an option if you want to hand round a range of flavours. Before comparing portions, check the flavour, weight and relevant nutritional information on the packaging of your pack.
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This smaller bag could suit a get-together with just a few people, but it isn’t a large sharing bag. Check the label for carbohydrates and salt, then decide how much you’ll serve yourself.
No. ‘Plain’ describes the flavour, not the amount of carbohydrates. For example, Albert Heijn lists Lay's Chips naturel 275 g as containing 55 g of carbohydrates per 100 g. Check the full label and the amount you’ll have.
No. 30 g is a serving size shown on, among other products, the 275 g Lay's bag listed by Albert Heijn; it isn’t personal guidance. You can use that amount to calculate nutritional values, but decide on your own portion according to the guidance that applies to you.
No. The cooking method alone doesn’t determine which crisps fit your plans. Lay's says that its Oven Baked range contains 50% less fat than regular potato crisps. For the specific bag, also check the carbohydrates, salt and how much you’ll eat.
Divide the crisps between bowls in advance if you want to keep track of your own portion. When you buy them, check the net weight and nutritional values per 100 g so you can apply the label information to the amount you actually serve yourself.
