Don’t buy lower-fat crisps as a snack for your baby during baby-led weaning: the Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against giving babies aged 4 months to 1 year food containing salt, and the varieties discussed here contain salt. If you’re buying crisps for the adults in your household, compare the nutrition information per 100 g and keep your baby’s food separate. Less fat doesn’t automatically make crisps suitable for a baby.
You’re looking for something your baby can explore and eat independently. In that case, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s advice on salt and your baby’s eating skills matter more than a claim about reduced fat. Choose a suitable snack for your baby rather than the crisps discussed here.
You want to compare lower-fat crisps for yourself or other adults, without treating them as baby food. Check the current packaging for fat and salt per 100 g, ingredients and serving size.
You want to know what a claim such as ‘lower fat’ is being compared with. On its own, this claim doesn’t mean that crisps are salt-free or suitable for a baby. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre does not include either light crisps or regular crisps in the Wheel of Five.
First, decide who the snack is for. If it’s for a baby, choose something other than crisps containing salt. Only compare fat claims when you’re buying crisps for adults.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this relevant to? |
|---|---|---|
| Snack for a baby | Check the salt content on the packaging. Choose a suitable snack for your baby with no added salt, and bear in mind what your baby can eat. | When I let my baby explore food independently, I don’t want to buy crisps that seem suitable because of their fat claim but contain salt. Around 50% of consumers prioritise suitability as a snack for a baby. |
| Lower fat for adults | Compare fat per 100 g and check what the fat claim is compared with. Also check the salt content and serving size. | For my own snack, I want to know whether a particular variety of crisps contains less fat than the variety it’s compared with, while my baby has something else. Around 30% of consumers prioritise this choice for adults. |
| Up-to-date product information | Check the ingredients, allergens and nutrition information on the packaging. When shopping online, also check which variety you’ll receive. | When I look up a product by name, I want to be able to check the label to see what’s actually in the bag. Around 20% of consumers give checking the label the highest priority. |
The basis for comparison varies by product. Albert Heijn states that Lay’s Oven Baked Naturel contains 50% less fat than regular potato crisps, with 13 g of fat and 0.85 g of salt per 100 g. For AH Ribbelchips naturel minder vet, Albert Heijn states that it contains 35% less fat than regular AH Ribbelchips naturel, with 20 g of fat and 0.9 g of salt per 100 g. These claims are therefore based on different reference products. When buying, check the nutrition information on the packaging of the variety you choose.
A lower fat content doesn’t remove the salt. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against giving babies aged 4 months to 1 year food containing salt, and the varieties of crisps discussed here contain salt.
Keep crisps for adults and snacks for your baby separate on your shopping list.
A fat claim doesn’t tell you which ingredients or allergens a product contains. For example, according to Albert Heijn’s product information, Pringles Original contains wheat and may contain milk and soya; milk and soya are listed for Smiths Nibb-it Sticks.
Check the ingredients, allergens and nutrition information on the current packaging of the variety you’re buying.
With baby-led weaning, it’s also important to consider whether your baby can safely eat larger pieces. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says your baby should be able to sit upright and swallow and chew well before doing so.
Choose a suitable snack for your baby and stay with them while they eat.
Lay’s Oven Baked Naturel is one option to consider if you’re looking for lower-fat oven-baked crisps for adults.
AH Ribbelchips naturel minder vet is an own-brand option for anyone comparing the fat content of crisps for adults.
Jumbo’s lower-fat crisps category includes oven-baked varieties for adults.
Pringles Original is an example here of regular savoury crisps, not a variety proven to contain less fat.
Smiths Nibb-it Sticks is a savoury snack for comparison, not a variety of crisps proven to contain less fat.
These oven-baked crisps are an option if you’re looking for a separate snack for adults. Check the nutrition information on the packaging if you’re specifically keeping an eye on fat and salt. Don’t use these crisps as a snack for your baby.
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An oven-baked variety of crisps to consider as a separate snack for adults, not as a snack for a baby.
Pack size: 150 g. Check the current label for fat, salt, ingredients and allergens.
Don’t use the crisps containing salt discussed here as a snack for your baby. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against giving babies aged 4 months to 1 year food containing salt. A claim about reduced fat doesn’t change the salt content of a product.
No, the fat claim alone doesn’t tell you that. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre does not include either light crisps or regular crisps in the Wheel of Five. For the specific variety, compare the nutrition information per 100 g and the portion you plan to eat.
Choose a suitable snack with no added salt that your baby can eat. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre suggests options such as vegetables and fruit for early tastes. Choose a shape and size that suits your baby’s eating skills.
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, only offer larger pieces once your baby can sit upright and swallow and chew well. Stay with them while they eat. If chewing is still difficult or your baby often chokes, wait before offering larger pieces.
Check the ingredients, allergens and nutrition information on the current packaging, including fat and salt per 100 g. If the product claims to contain less fat, also check what the manufacturer is comparing it with; this can vary from product to product.
