If you want to enjoy crisps mindfully around your cycling, compare the energy per 100 g and decide how much you’ll actually eat; the word ‘light’ isn’t enough. On the Albert Heijn and Jumbo product pages, Lay's Oven Baked Naturel contains 428 kcal per 100 g, less than the three other crisps compared here. For a training session or race lasting more than 45 minutes, Sportzorg recommends fluids and carbohydrates during exercise; don’t treat crisps as a substitute for a suitable food and drink plan.
You want something savoury to eat around your ride and are keeping an eye on your energy intake. Compare kcal per 100 g, then decide on your own portion: the figure on the label doesn’t tell you how much you’ll actually put on your plate.
You’re looking for a snack to have around a longer ride, but want to plan your food and drink separately while you’re on the move. Sportzorg recommends fluids and carbohydrates during training sessions or races lasting more than 45 minutes; whether solid food suits you is a personal matter.
Ingredients and salt content are important factors in your choice. Check the packaging of the product you’re buying; according to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergen information must appear on the label of prepacked foods.
First decide whether the crisps are for a measured snack off the bike or something to eat on the go. Then compare the nutritional information and ingredients that matter to you.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Energy and portion | Compare kcal per 100 g and decide how many grams you want to eat; ‘less fat’ on its own doesn’t tell you the energy content of your portion. | If I want something savoury after my ride, I want to be able to measure out a portion rather than mindlessly eating the whole bag. Around 42% of consumers prioritise portion choice and calorie intake. |
| When you eat | Decide whether you want to eat the crisps off the bike or on the go. For exercise lasting more than 45 minutes, Sportzorg recommends fluids and carbohydrates during the ride; try solid food during a training session first. | For a longer ride, I want to know whether solid food will suit me on the go, without losing sight of how much I’m drinking. Around 33% of consumers prioritise practicality during a ride. |
| Salt and allergens | Check the salt per 100 g and read the current ingredients and allergen information on the packaging. | If I need to watch my salt intake or avoid certain ingredients, I don’t want to rely on the product name alone. For around 25% of consumers, checking the label is the top priority. |
Those words don’t tell you which of the products compared contains the fewest kcal per 100 g. Jumbo lists Lay's Light Naturel at 490 kcal per 100 g; Albert Heijn and Jumbo list Lay's Oven Baked Naturel at 428 kcal per 100 g.
Compare crisps using the same quantity, then decide on your portion. Check energy, fat and salt separately if they matter to your choice.
A savoury snack won’t take care of how much you drink on the go. Sportzorg recommends fluids and carbohydrates during training sessions or races lasting more than 45 minutes, and advises choosing solid food that sits well with you.
Plan food and drink separately before your ride. If you want to take crisps with you, try them during a training session to see whether they’re practical for you.
Oven-baked crisps contain salt too, and ingredients vary from product to product. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergen information must appear on the label of prepacked foods.
When you buy them, check the nutritional information and ingredients on the specific pack, particularly if salt or allergens matter to you.
The Oven Baked and Light ranges have different nutritional values, so assess the specific product you choose, not just the range name.
The supermarket’s own brand has a reduced-fat ridged crisp option; compare its nutritional values with other plain crisps.
In this comparison, Pringles Original is a standard crisp option, not the one with the fewest kcal per 100 g.
Here, Jumbo is a shop where you can compare the nutritional information of individual crisp products, not the name of a specific crisp variety.
These two oven-baked crisp options are worth considering as measured savoury snacks to enjoy around a cycle ride. To make your choice, compare the current nutritional information per 100 g and the amount you plan to eat; these products are not a substitute for the food and drink you plan for a longer ride.
Image unavailable
An oven-baked crisp option to compare as a pre-measured savoury snack off the bike.
150 g bag. Check the current packaging for the nutritional information and ingredients relevant to your choice.
Image unavailable
An oven-baked crisp option for anyone who wants to measure out a savoury snack and compare nutritional values for the same quantity.
125 g bag. Before choosing a portion, check the current label for salt, ingredients and allergens.
Not necessarily. Crisps may work as a snack for you, but they don’t replace a food and drink plan. Sportzorg recommends fluids and carbohydrates during training sessions or races lasting more than 45 minutes; try solid food during a training session before relying on it for a longer ride.
At 428 kcal per 100 g, Lay's Oven Baked Naturel has the lowest listed value of these four products, according to the Albert Heijn and Jumbo product pages. Albert Heijn lists AH Ribbelchips naturel minder vet at 461 kcal and Pringles Original at 528 kcal; Jumbo lists Lay's Light Naturel at 490 kcal. Remember to compare your own portion and check the current label too.
No. The ‘light’ label doesn’t assess all the nutritional values or your portion in one go. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says the difference in calories between light crisps and regular crisps can be small, and that neither is included in the Wheel of Five. So compare the information per 100 g for the products you’re considering.
Check the allergen information on the pack of the specific crisp variety. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, this information must appear on prepacked foods. For example, Albert Heijn’s Pringles Original product page lists wheat and cereals containing gluten, and says the product may contain milk and soya.
No. Crisps with extra salt aren’t right for every ride. Salt levels vary between products, so check the label if salt matters to you. For a longer ride, plan your food and drink according to the duration, conditions and what suits you, rather than relying on a salty snack alone.
