Cyclists who need to avoid gluten
An explicit gluten-free claim matters more to them than simply seeing no wheat in an online ingredients list. They should also check the current packaging for any other relevant allergens.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Cyclists with a milk, soya or multiple allergy
A gluten-free claim alone won’t answer their question. They need to check the ingredients, allergen information and any warnings for each flavour and pack.
Cyclists looking for a savoury snack around a ride
When they eat it and how much they have both matter. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against large portions and foods high in fat, protein or fibre just before exercise.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, work out which ingredients or allergens you need to avoid. Then consider the portion and when you’ll eat it alongside your food and drink plans for the ride.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Most relevant for |
|---|---|---|
| Choosing gluten-free | Look for a gluten-free claim on the current packaging and read the allergen information too. | If I need to avoid gluten, I don’t want to rely only on an ingredients list or how a shop shelf is arranged. Around 31% of consumers put a gluten-free claim first. |
| Other allergens and dietary requirements | Read the ingredients and any statements about what the product contains or may contain; check each flavour separately. | If I have a milk or soya allergy, or want a vegan option, my chosen variety needs to meet that requirement. For around 16% of consumers, this is the first consideration. |
| Timing around the ride | Compare the portion and fat content with when you’ll be cycling. Plan food and drink separately for a longer ride. | If I’m setting off shortly after a snack, I don’t want a large portion that might feel uncomfortable while cycling. Ride timing is the most important factor for around 38% of consumers. |
| Salt, portion size and availability | Compare the nutritional information per 100 g and per portion, and check whether the variety you want is available. | If I only want to take a small amount with me, the pack size and salt content need to suit that portion. Around 15% of consumers prioritise this practical consideration. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming gluten-free means free from all allergens
A gluten-free claim refers to gluten; it doesn’t automatically mean a product is free from milk, soya or other allergens. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergen information must appear on the label of prepacked foods.
For your chosen variety, check both the relevant claim and the full ingredients and allergen information on the packaging.
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Using crisps as a substitute for food during a long ride
A savoury snack and a plan for food and drink during exercise don’t necessarily serve the same purpose. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against having a large portion or a high-fat food just before exercise.
Decide when you want to eat the crisps, and plan your food and drink during the ride separately.
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Comparing only the full bag
The pack size doesn’t tell you how much salt you’ll actually eat. Jumbo lists 2.2 g of salt per 100 g for Eat Real Salted Lentil Chips; a smaller portion will contain a different amount.
Read the nutritional information per 100 g, then compare it with the portion you plan to eat.
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Assuming a range will be available without checking the variety
A category page doesn’t show which pack you’ll ultimately have in your hands. A temporary range isn’t a guaranteed option for your next ride either.
Just before buying, check the flavour you want, the current packaging and availability.
Brands to consider
Lay's
Plain potato crisps for anyone looking for a savoury snack where a gluten-free claim isn’t a condition of purchase.
- Albert Heijn lists potatoes, vegetable oils, salt and antioxidants as ingredients in Lay's Naturel potato crisps.
- Don’t assume they’re gluten-free based on this ingredients list; check the packaging if you need to avoid gluten.
Pringles
With Pringles, whether a product suits your dietary requirements depends on the specific flavour and variety.
- Jumbo provides product-specific ingredients and allergen information for Pringles Original 165 g.
- According to Jumbo, this variety contains wheat and may contain milk and soya; don’t assume the same applies to other flavours.
Schär
A brand to look at if an explicitly gluten-free variety of crisps or savoury snacks is a priority.
- Jumbo lists Schär Curvies Paprika Glutenvrij and Schär Salinis in its gluten-free range.
- Check each pack for any other allergens you need to avoid.
Eat Real
Lentil crisps to compare with potato crisps as a crisp-style snack.
- Jumbo includes Eat Real Salted Lentil Chips in its gluten-free range and lists 59 g of carbohydrate and 13 g of protein per 100 g.
- Jumbo lists 2.2 g of salt per 100 g for the same variety. Also read the allergen information on the pack you choose.
Crisps and savoury snacks on Joybuy
These products offer different kinds of crisps for a savoury snack around a ride: okra, potato, plantain, taro and cassava crisps. If you follow a strict diet, don’t choose based on the type of crisp alone; check the relevant claims on the packaging.
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Okra Chips 25 g
The 25 g pack is a defined snack portion. If you need to avoid gluten or other allergens, check the relevant claim and the full allergen information on the current packaging.
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Lay's Natural Chips 100 g
Plain potato crisps for anyone looking for a savoury snack outside the immediate exercise period. Don’t assume they’re gluten-free from the name alone; if you have a dietary restriction, check the current packaging.
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TG Salted Plantain Chips 85 g
Plantain crisps for anyone looking for an alternative to potato crisps. Before buying, check the nutritional information and any allergen claims relevant to you for this variety.
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7FRESH Original Cut Taro Chips Sea Salt Flavor 50 g
Taro crisps with sea salt flavour in a 50 g pack. If you need a gluten-free claim or have to avoid other allergens, check the current information on this specific pack.
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Mirasa Cassave Chips Chilli 250 g
Cassava crisps with chilli flavour for a savoury snack. Check how much you want to eat from the 250 g pack, and if you have dietary restrictions, check the ingredients and allergen information first.
Frequently asked questions
Are crisps with no wheat in the ingredients list automatically gluten-free?
No, don’t draw that conclusion from the ingredients list alone. If you need to avoid gluten, look for an explicit gluten-free claim on the current packaging and read any other relevant information too.
Are gluten-free crisps also free from milk and soya?
Not automatically: gluten-free says nothing about whether a product contains milk or soya. Check the full ingredients and allergen information for your chosen flavour, including any warning that it may contain something.
Are Pringles Original suitable if I need to avoid wheat?
No, not Pringles Original 165 g, which Jumbo lists as containing wheat. Jumbo also says this variety may contain milk and soya; check other flavours separately.
Are crisps a good choice just before a long bike ride?
A large portion of crisps isn’t an obvious choice just before exercise. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against large portions and foods high in fat, protein or fibre at that time; plan food and drink separately for a longer ride.