Anyone who fancies a savoury snack after a workout
You’re looking for a crunchy snack, but want to know how much protein you’ll get in a portion and whether you need extra protein as part of your overall diet.
Who are these crisps for?
Anyone choosing a portion to share
You might want a bag for yourself or some crisps to share. The pack size and the nutritional value of what you actually eat can help you decide.
Anyone checking ingredients and allergens
You’re comparing crisps made with ingredients such as lentils or soya, and checking the ingredients, allergens and any may-contain warnings for each flavour.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide how much you want to eat when you’re sharing snacks. Then compare the nutritional information per 100 g and for that amount, so you can compare different pack sizes like for like.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who should pay particular attention? |
|---|---|---|
| Protein after exercise | Compare the protein per bag with what else you eat in a day; don’t just look at the figure per 100 g. | If I fancy a savoury snack after an intense workout, I want to know how much protein my portion provides. Protein is the main consideration for around 36% of consumers. |
| Flavour and portion size | Check the pack size and stated serving size; decide whether you want a bag for yourself or one to share. | For a casual get-together, I mainly want crisps I enjoy, in an amount that suits the occasion. That’s the first consideration for around 29% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients and allergen information for the specific flavour, including any may-contain warnings. | If I’m looking for plant-based ingredients or need to avoid an allergen, the information on the pack needs to suit my needs. Around 21% of consumers make this their top priority. |
| Salt and energy | Compare the salt and energy per 100 g, then work out the figures for the amount you want to eat. | A higher protein content doesn’t tell me how much salt or energy I’ll get in my portion. This comparison comes first for around 14% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘high protein’ means you need a recovery snack
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, most people who exercise get enough protein from a healthy, varied diet, without special protein shakes or bars. So a protein claim on crisps doesn’t mean you need an extra protein snack after exercise.
Choose crisps because you fancy a savoury snack, and consider whether you need extra protein in the context of everything else you eat.
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Comparing only the protein per 100 g
With a smaller bag, you may eat less protein than the figure per 100 g suggests. With a larger bag, the amount of protein, salt and energy you get depends on how much you eat.
Compare the nutritional information per 100 g with the pack size or the portion you plan to have.
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Relying on ‘vegan’ or ‘gluten-free’ as a complete allergen check
A variety with one of these labels may also carry a may-contain warning. Crisps made with soya protein contain soya.
Check the current ingredients and allergen information on the pack for every flavour.
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Relying on an old pack for current product information
Ingredients and nutritional values can vary between flavours and pack sizes. A particular product may also no longer be available.
Before buying, check the current packaging and make sure the retailer stocks your chosen variety.
Brands to consider
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn lists lentil-based Proteïne Crisps in paprika and sweet chilli flavours.
- Albert Heijn’s product information lists 28 g of protein per 100 g for the paprika flavour and 26 g for sweet chilli.
- Check the current ingredients and may-contain warnings for each variety; the product pages mention possible traces of milk, sesame and soya.
Body & Fit
Body & Fit offers Smart Protein Chips made with soya and potato, in a 23 g bag.
- Albert Heijn’s product information lists 32 g of protein per 100 g and 7,4 g per bag.
- The product contains soya, and the stated salt content is 2 g per 100 g. Also check whether this variety is currently available.
The Organic Crave
The Organic Crave offers Protein Chips Salt & Pepper, made with red lentils and sold in a 30 g bag.
- Jumbo’s product information lists 23 g of protein per 100 g and 7 g per bag.
- Jumbo’s product page warns of possible traces of soya and milk, and no longer lists this variety in its online range.
Related products
Related products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need high-protein crisps after a workout?
No, not necessarily. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, most people who exercise don’t need special protein shakes or bars if they eat a healthy, varied diet. So consider your overall diet rather than treating crisps as essential recovery food.
How do I compare crisps in different-sized bags?
First compare the nutritional values per 100 g, then look at the amount you actually want to eat. The per-100 g figures make products comparable, but don’t tell you how much protein, salt and energy you’ll get in your portion.
Is ‘vegan’ enough information if I have a food allergy?
No. Check the ingredients, allergens and any may-contain warnings on the specific pack. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority states that allergen information must appear on the label of prepacked foods.
Does more protein mean less salt?
No, the protein content doesn’t tell you how much salt a product contains. Compare both figures separately in the nutritional information, per 100 g and for the portion you plan to eat.