If you’re about to exercise, flavoured crisps generally aren’t a sensible snack choice: the Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against large portions and high-fat foods just before exercise. If you still fancy crisps and there’s time between snacking and your workout, decide on your portion in advance and check the nutritional information and allergens for the specific flavour. A lower-fat option won’t necessarily sit better with you just before exercise.
If your workout is about to start, the time between eating and exercising matters more than the flavour. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against large portions and high-fat foods just before exercise, as they can stay in your stomach for longer.
If you want to fit crisps into a meal or training plan, the nutritional information for the flavour you’ve chosen is more useful than an average for all crisps. Compare the values per 100 g and work out how much you actually plan to eat.
Recipes can vary significantly between flavoured crisps. Albert Heijn describes AH Chips Paprika as suitable for vegans and made to a gluten-free recipe; Jumbo lists milk in Jumbo Paprika Chips. Always check the exact packaging.
First, think about how soon you’ll be exercising. If there’s time for a snack, compare your planned portion with the label for the specific flavour, rather than relying on words such as ‘paprika’ or ‘oven-baked’ on the front of the pack.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who should consider this? |
|---|---|---|
| Time until your workout | Work out when you’ll be exercising and how much you plan to eat. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against large portions and high-fat foods just before exercise. | If I’m about to exercise, I don’t want a savoury snack to feel heavy in my stomach. This could be the main consideration for around 50% of consumers. |
| Portion and nutritional value | Compare energy, fat, saturated fat and salt per 100 g, as well as for the portion you plan to have. | I want to decide how many crisps to have in advance and understand how that portion fits into my meal plan. Portion and nutritional comparisons could be the main priority for around 30% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Check the current ingredients and allergen information for the exact flavour; don’t assume dietary suitability from the flavour name. | If I need to avoid an ingredient, I want to know whether this particular option is suitable. Allergens and dietary requirements could be the main concern for around 20% of consumers. |
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, a 40 g bowl of mixed-flavour crisps contains an average of 12.9 g of fat. The Centre advises against high-fat foods just before exercise, as they can stay in your stomach for longer.
First, think about how long it is until your workout. If it’s soon, don’t automatically reach for crisps; otherwise, decide on a small portion in advance.
Albert Heijn lists 0.8 g of salt per 100 g for AH Chips Paprika; Jumbo lists 1.20 g per 100 g for Jumbo Paprika Chips. So the same flavour name doesn’t mean the nutritional values are the same.
Compare the nutritional information for the exact products on the same basis, ideally per 100 g and for the portion you plan to have.
Albert Heijn describes AH Chips Paprika as suitable for vegans and made to a gluten-free recipe, while Jumbo lists milk in Jumbo Paprika Chips. The word paprika on the pack doesn’t tell you which ingredients have been used.
Check the ingredients and allergen information on the current packaging of your chosen product every time you buy it.
Lay's says that Oven Baked Roasted Paprika contains 50% less fat than regular potato crisps. That brand claim doesn’t tell you how much salt is in your portion or whether crisps will sit well with you just before your workout.
Use fat content as one point of comparison, and also consider portion size, salt, ingredients and when you’ll be exercising.
These brands give you a starting point for comparing product types and labels. The details below apply to the specific ranges or products mentioned, not necessarily to every product from each brand.
Alongside its regular crisps, Lay's lists MAX, Sensations and Oven Baked in its range.
Pringles sells shaped, stackable crisps. According to its Dutch product page, Classic Paprika is available in 40 g, 70 g and 165 g packs.
Smiths is relevant as a snack brand, but not as the current name for a regular Lay's potato crisp range.
AH Chips Paprika is an own-brand option for which Albert Heijn provides nutritional information and dietary details.
Jumbo Paprika Chips is an own-brand option to compare with other paprika crisps using the same label information.
Snack Day is Lidl’s snack brand, with paprika crisps available in a 250 g pack.
This selection includes oven-baked flavours, a regular paprika variety and shaped crisps in individual packs. First, choose based on when you’ll be exercising, then compare the portion size and current nutritional information for the product you’re considering.
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An oven-baked herb flavour to consider if you won’t be exercising straight after your snack. Decide on your portion in advance and check the current nutritional information and allergens on the pack.
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A regular flavoured option to compare if you fancy paprika crisps and aren’t about to exercise. Check the nutritional table on the pack for your chosen portion, including the unit used to show energy.
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The individual packs make it easy to plan how much to have when there’s time between snacking and exercise. Compare the nutritional information for the amount you plan to eat, and if you have allergen requirements, check the label for this Red Pepper variety.
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An oven-baked barbecue flavour to compare with other crisps, not a reason to have a large portion just before exercise. Decide how many grams you plan to eat and check the label if you need to avoid soya.
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An oven-baked paprika variety to compare with regular paprika crisps if you’re not exercising straight away. Plan your portion in grams and check the nutritional information and milk declaration on the current pack before choosing.
If you’re about to exercise, crisps generally aren’t a sensible go-to choice. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against large portions and foods high in fat, protein or fibre just before exercise, as they can stay in your stomach for longer. If you’re short on time, also think about what you personally find comfortable.
No. A lower fat content in a particular variety doesn’t automatically make it suitable just before exercise. According to Lay's own product information, Oven Baked Roasted Paprika contains 50% less fat than regular potato crisps. You should also consider your portion, the label and how long it is until your workout.
Read the allergen information on the current packaging for the exact variety. Jumbo lists milk in Jumbo Paprika Chips, while Pringles lists wheat and milk constituents among the ingredients for Classic Paprika and also notes that soya may be present. Don’t assume this information applies to another flavour.
Seal the pack tightly and follow the storage instructions on the bag. For AH Chips Paprika, Albert Heijn recommends a cool, dry and dark place. Check the packaging for other products.
