Who is this choice for?

Sporty types who keep an eye on protein at drinks parties too

You want a crunchy snack whose protein content you can assess, without assuming that a portion of crisps can replace a full meal.

Hosts catering for different dietary needs

You’re looking for something to share and want to weigh up a product’s vegan or gluten-free label against its allergen warnings for your guests.

Shoppers comparing regular crisps with protein crisps

You want to know whether a familiar variety of crisps meets the ‘high in protein’ claim, or whether it’s mainly a choice based on the usual flavour and shape.

What should you look for?

If ‘high in protein’ is your reason for buying, start by checking the proportion of energy from protein. Then decide how much you want to serve per person and check the allergen information for the exact flavour.

What to consider What to check before buying Who it matters to
Protein content Compare protein and energy per 100 g. To carry the EU ‘high in protein’ claim, at least 20% of the energy must come from protein. After exercise, I want crisps that demonstrably meet the protein claim, rather than simply containing some protein. For around 45% of consumers, protein content would be the top priority.
Portions and sharing Check the pack weight and suggested serving size. Compare the salt content per 100 g with the amount you plan to serve. If I’m sharing crisps on a party platter, I want to know how much each person will get without counting the whole bag as one portion. For around 33% of consumers, sharing and portion size would come first.
Dietary needs and allergens Check the ingredients, labels and ‘may contain’ warnings on the packaging for the exact flavour. When catering for guests with different dietary needs, I want to choose a product whose labels and allergen warnings are suitable for them. Around 22% of consumers would see this as their main buying requirement.

Common mistakes

  • Confusing ‘contains protein’ with ‘high in protein’

    Regular crisps contain protein too. Jumbo lists Lay’s Naturel as containing 6 g of protein and 517 kcal per 100 g; Pringles lists Original as containing 6.2 g and 528 kcal. That works out at around 4.6% and 4.7% of energy from protein respectively, below the 20% threshold set by EU Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006.

    Use the figures per 100 g for the exact variety: multiply the grams of protein by 4 kcal, divide by the total kcal and multiply by 100.

  • Treating the whole bag as one portion

    Albert Heijn lists AH Proteïne Crisps paprika and sweet chili as coming in a 70 g bag, with a serving size of 25 g. How much someone gets depends on how much you actually serve.

    Decide on the portion before serving the crisps, and check the salt content for that amount too. Albert Heijn lists 0.88 g of salt per 100 g for paprika and 1.05 g for sweet chili.

  • Taking a nutrition label as a guarantee about allergens

    Albert Heijn labels both flavours of AH Proteïne Crisps as vegan and gluten-free, but also states that they may contain milk, sesame seeds, soya and lactose.

    For each guest, check the ingredients and allergen warnings on the packaging of the flavour you’re serving.

  • Seeing crisps as a complete post-workout meal

    A protein claim describes the proportion of energy from protein; on its own, it doesn’t mean that a snack portion can replace a meal.

    Consider crisps as part of what you eat around your workout, rather than judging them solely by the protein claim on the front of the pack.

Brands to consider

Albert Heijn

The AH range includes Proteïne Crisps in paprika and sweet chili flavours, aimed at anyone looking for a high-protein option to serve with drinks.

  • Albert Heijn lists 28 g of protein and 398 kcal per 100 g for paprika, and 26 g of protein and 404 kcal for sweet chili. Based on these figures, both flavours meet the EU threshold for ‘high in protein’.
  • Both flavours are labelled vegan and gluten-free, but according to the product information, they may contain milk, sesame seeds, soya and lactose. Check the latest packaging.

Body & Fit

Smart Protein Chips Original is a crisps option in an individual snack-size bag.

  • Albert Heijn’s product listing states that each 23 g bag contains 7.4 g of protein.
  • Albert Heijn lists this product as ‘discontinued’. It contains soya and may contain gluten. If you’re considering this variety, check the latest packaging and availability.

Lay’s

Lay’s Naturel is a regular potato crisp variety for anyone who isn’t specifically looking for the ‘high in protein’ claim on their snack platter.

  • The plain variety is a classic-style crisp option.
  • The figures listed by Jumbo—6 g of protein and 517 kcal per 100 g—work out at around 4.6% of energy from protein, below the EU threshold for ‘high in protein’.

Pringles

Pringles Original is a stackable crisp for anyone who prioritises the shape and flavour over a high protein content.

  • The Original variety offers a different shape for your snack platter.
  • Pringles lists 6.2 g of protein and 528 kcal per 100 g: around 4.7% of energy from protein, which is below the EU threshold for ‘high in protein’. Check the packaging, as recipes can change.

Related Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

When can crisps be called ‘high in protein’?

Under EU Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, at least 20% of the energy value must come from protein for this nutrition claim to be used. Based on Albert Heijn’s figures, AH Proteïne Crisps paprika gets around 28.1% of its energy from protein, while sweet chili gets around 25.7%. Always use the nutritional information for the exact variety.

Are Lay’s Naturel or Pringles Original high-protein crisps?

No, not according to the EU threshold for the ‘high in protein’ claim. Based on the figures listed by Jumbo for Lay’s Naturel, around 4.6% of its energy comes from protein; Pringles’ figures for Original work out at around 4.7%. Both are below the required 20%.

Can a portion of protein crisps replace a post-workout meal?

Don’t assume so based solely on a protein claim. The claim says nothing about the rest of what you eat or the amount in your portion, so consider the crisps as part of your overall meal or snack.

What should I check for allergens when catering for a mixed group?

Read the allergen information for every exact flavour you’re serving. Albert Heijn labels AH Proteïne Crisps paprika and sweet chili as vegan and gluten-free, but states that they may contain milk, sesame seeds, soya and lactose. The listing for Body & Fit Smart Protein Chips Original mentions soya and possible gluten.

Why should I check the label again on a familiar variety of crisps?

Ingredients and nutritional information can change. Albert Heijn warns that product information may change, and Pringles advises checking the packaging. So, especially if you’re concerned about allergens or have a specific protein goal, read the packaging of the product you’re actually buying.