Parents who pack crisps now and then
Sometimes you’re looking for a savoury extra to go with the rest of lunch. Check the school’s rules first, and make sure the lunch is based on the foods the Voedingscentrum recommends for school.
Who is this choice for?
Shoppers looking for a portion to take along
You don’t want to pack a whole family-size bag. A small bag or a portion measured out at home makes it clear what’s going into the lunchbox. Then compare the nutritional information for that portion.
Families who need to check allergens
You can’t tell which allergens a product contains from the brand or flavour name alone. Always read the latest ingredients and allergen information on the packaging of the exact product you’re packing.
What should you look for in crisps for school?
Start with the school’s rules and the rest of the lunch. Then compare flavour and portion size. If there’s an allergy, checking the label comes before choosing based on the flavour name.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| School rules and lunch | Check the school handbook, app or website. Only choose crisps as an occasional extra to lunch. | If I pack crisps as a one-off, I first want to know whether the school allows them and what else I should pack. This is the top consideration for around 37% of consumers. |
| Portion size and taking them along | Check the net weight and portion size; compare the salt per 100 g and per the amount you’ll actually pack. | I want to put one clearly measured amount in the lunchbox, rather than having to choose from a large bag on the spot. A defined portion matters most to around 27% of consumers. |
| Flavour and texture | Check whether they’re regular potato crisps, oven-baked crisps, sticks or shaped snacks. If you’re trying an unfamiliar flavour, it’s best not to start with a large pack. | If my child leaves a strong flavour or a different texture uneaten, a familiar option matters more than having more choice. Flavour and texture come first for around 18% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the latest ingredients list and allergen information for the exact flavour on the packaging. | If there’s an allergy, I want to know what’s in this particular product, even if we know the brand. This is the main concern for around 18% of consumers. |
Common mistakes when choosing
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Assuming the flavour name tells you about allergens
Ingredients vary by product: Pringles Original lists wheat flour, Smiths Sticks Paprika lists milk and sulphites, and Jumbo Paprika Chips lists milk.
If there’s an allergy, always check the latest label for the exact flavour, even if you already know the brand.
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Treating a family-size bag as one lunch portion
The Albert Heijn and Jumbo paprika crisps described in their product information come in 250 g bags containing multiple portions. A whole bag isn’t a defined amount for one lunch.
Choose a small bag or measure out an amount at home into a well-sealed container. Check the nutritional information for the portion you’ll actually pack.
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Assuming ‘oven-baked’ answers every nutritional question
Lay’s describes Oven Baked as having less fat than regular potato crisps. That alone doesn’t tell you how much salt is in the flavour you’ve chosen or whether crisps are suitable as part of a school lunch.
As well as the cooking method, compare the nutritional information and ingredients, and keep the rest of the lunch in mind.
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Relying on an old product page instead of the label
Ingredients and nutritional information can change, so an older online description may not match the packaging you buy.
If there are allergies or specific dietary requirements, check the current packaging before packing the crisps.
Brands to compare
The brand name doesn’t determine whether crisps are right for a packed lunch. Compare the flavour you’ve chosen by portion size, nutritional information and allergens.
Lay's
Lay's offers potato crisps and shaped snacks in a range of flavours and pack sizes. For a packed lunch, the flavour you choose and the amount you pack are what matter most.
- Lay's also lists small bags, making it easier to pack one bag.
- Lay's says Oven Baked contains less fat than regular potato crisps. Even so, compare the nutritional information and label for each flavour.
Pringles
Pringles Original is a stacked potato snack sold in a tube. Pringles lists pack sizes of 40 g, 70 g and 165 g.
- The different tube sizes give you a choice of how much to buy.
- Pringles Original lists wheat flour as an ingredient. If there’s an allergy, check the information for the exact product.
Smiths
Smiths Sticks Paprika is a potato and corn snack in stick form, rather than the same kind of product as regular potato crisps.
- The stick shape offers a different texture to compare with your child’s preferences.
- Jumbo’s product information lists milk and sulphites for Smiths Sticks Paprika. If there’s an allergy, check the latest packaging.
Albert Heijn
AH Chips paprika is an own-brand product in a 250 g bag. Albert Heijn lists a portion size of 25 g.
- The stated portion size can help you divide up the larger bag.
- Check the ingredients, nutritional information and any dietary claims on the latest packaging, as this information can change.
Jumbo
Jumbo Paprika Chips is an own-brand product in a 250 g bag that you can portion out at home for lunch.
- The pack weight makes it clear that it contains more than one portion to take along.
- Jumbo lists milk as an allergen for these paprika crisps. Don’t assume all paprika crisps have the same ingredients.
Lidl / Snack Day
According to Lidl, Snack Day Paprika is a paprika-flavoured potato crisp in a 250 g bag.
- You can divide the larger bag into separate portions at home if you want to pack an individual lunch portion.
- Check the physical packaging of the product you choose for ingredients, allergens and nutritional information.
Crisps to portion out at home for lunch
These Lay's varieties come in larger bags and are flavoured with paprika, herbs or barbecue. If you pack crisps now and then, you can measure out an amount for lunch at home. Check the school’s rules and the latest label too.
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Lay's Sensations Red Sweet Paprika, 150 g
For anyone who enjoys sweet paprika flavour and wants to measure out a portion for one lunch at home. The bag contains 150 g.
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Lay's Oven Baked Mediterranean Herbs, 150 g
An oven-baked variety with Mediterranean herbs for anyone who’d rather choose this flavour than paprika. Measure out a lunch portion from the 150 g bag at home.
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Lay's Oven Baked Barbecue, 150 g
For anyone looking for barbecue flavour in an oven-baked crisp. Portion out the 150 g bag at home if you’re packing one measured amount for school.
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Lay's Oven Baked Paprika, 150 g
An oven-baked option for anyone who prefers paprika flavour. If you want to pack a set lunch portion, measure out an amount from the 150 g bag at home.
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Lay's Chips Paprika, 300 g
For anyone who wants to portion out paprika crisps from a larger bag at home. Measure out a portion from the 300 g bag for a school lunch.
Frequently asked questions
Are flavoured crisps suitable as a regular school lunch?
No, not as the basis of a lunch. For a school lunch, the Voedingscentrum recommends foods including vegetables, fruit and wholegrain products. Pack crisps only occasionally as an extra, and follow the school’s rules.
How can I find out whether crisps are allowed at school?
Check the rules at your child’s school before packing crisps. The Voedingscentrum recommends that parents check the school handbook, website or app.
How do I compare salt when portion sizes differ?
First compare the salt per 100 g so you’re assessing products on the same basis. Then check how much salt is in the portion you’ll actually pack. The portion size shown on the packaging may not match the amount you measure out yourself.
Are paprika crisps allergen-free?
Not necessarily: ‘paprika’ describes the flavour, not the full ingredients list. For example, Jumbo lists milk for its Paprika Chips, and Jumbo lists milk and sulphites for Smiths Sticks Paprika. If there’s an allergy, always check the latest label for the exact product.