Snackers who prioritise lower fat
You want to take crisps along to share and are looking for a variety with clear information on the packet about what the ‘less fat’ claim is being compared with.
Who is this relevant for?
Comparers who also keep an eye on salt
As well as fat, you look at salt, energy and the portion you expect to eat. Nutrition values per 100 g make different packets easier to compare.
Snackers with specific flavour or ingredient requirements
Perhaps you’re looking for plain, barbecue or lentil-based crisps. Check the ingredients and allergens for the exact flavour you choose.
What should you look for?
Start with the type of product and what the fat claim is being compared with. Then use the nutrition information per 100 g to compare products, and the information per portion to plan your snack.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Fat reduction | Check the stated percentage, the product it is compared with and the amount of fat per 100 g on the packet you’re choosing. | I want to choose crisps to share with a clear comparison against regular crisps, not just eye-catching wording on the front. Around 36% of consumers prioritise fat reduction. |
| Nutrition | Compare fat, saturated fat, salt and energy per 100 g, then consider your expected portion. | If I’m serving several snacks, I also want to know how much salt and energy are in the portion I choose. For around 29% of consumers, nutrition is the most important factor. |
| Flavour and sharing | Choose your preferred flavour and check the packet weight and the stated number of portions. | I want the crisps to suit the group, rather than choosing a packet based on flavour alone. Flavour and shareability are the main considerations for around 21% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients and allergen list for the exact flavour and packet. | If I have specific ingredient requirements, I don’t want to assume that another flavour in the same range is also suitable. Around 14% of consumers prioritise this check. |
Common mistakes
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Looking only at the ‘less fat’ claim
A fat-reduction claim on its own says nothing about the amount of salt or energy. Albert Heijn lists 1.7 g of salt per 100 g for BioToday Lentil Crisps Sea Salt, while the Lay's Oven Baked Original listing gives 0.85 g of salt per 100 g.
Compare the nutrition values per 100 g, then consider the portion you expect to eat.
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Using Nutri-Score to judge a single product
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, Nutri-Score can help you compare products of the same type. It doesn’t replace the nutrition table.
Compare crisps with similar crisps, and check the values for fat, salt and energy too.
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Assuming all flavours are the same
Ingredients and allergens can vary between flavours. For example, the product information for Lay's Oven Baked Barbecue on Joybuy lists soya.
For each variety you choose, check the current ingredients and allergen information on the packet.
Brands to compare
Lay's
The Oven Baked range is worth considering if you’re looking for oven-baked potato crisps with a specific fat-reduction claim.
- Lay's says Oven Baked varieties with this claim contain 50% less fat than regular potato crisps; Albert Heijn gives this comparison for Oven Baked Original.
- Check salt, energy and allergens for each flavour rather than assuming the values for Original apply to other varieties.
Albert Heijn
Its range includes AH Ridged Crisps Original Less Fat and Sour Cream & Onion Less Fat as own-brand options.
- You can compare these varieties with other crisps that carry a lower-fat claim.
- Before comparing different flavours, check the current nutrition values and ingredients for the packet you’ve chosen.
BioToday
Sea Salt Lentil Crisps are a different type of product from potato crisps, for anyone specifically looking for a lentil-flour base.
- Albert Heijn states that this variety contains 43% lentil flour and carries a claim of 30% less fat than regular potato crisps.
- The same variety lists 1.7 g of salt per 100 g, so consider the fat claim alongside the other nutrition values.
Chio
Jumbo lists Chio Oven Chips in its lower-fat crisps category, including paprika and sea salt flavours.
- Another oven-baked option to compare for flavour and packet information.
- Check the fat claim and nutrition values on the specific packet before comparing it with other oven-baked crisps.
Oven-baked crisps on Joybuy
These products are flavours of oven-baked Lay's potato crisps, suitable for sharing. Check the information on each packet and its nutrition details; the lentil crisps mentioned above are a different type of product.
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Lay's Oven Baked Mediterranean Herbs, 150 g
A herby flavour to share. The product information states that it contains 50% less fat than regular crisps and lists milk as an allergen; check the current packet.
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Lay's Oven Baked Barbecue, 150 g
A barbecue flavour to share. The product information states that it contains 50% less fat than regular potato crisps and lists soya as an allergen; check the label on the packet you choose.
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Lay's Oven Baked Paprika, 150 g
Paprika crisps to share. The product information states that they contain 50% less fat than regular crisps and lists milk as an allergen; compare the nutrition values for this specific flavour.
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Lay's Oven Baked Original, 150 g
An original flavour for your snack break. The product information states that it contains 50% less fat than regular potato crisps; check the current nutrition and allergen information on this packet.
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Lay's Oven Cheese Onion, 150 g
A cheese and onion flavour to share. The product information states that it contains 50% less fat than regular potato crisps and lists milk as an allergen; check the packet you choose.
Frequently asked questions
Does 50% less fat also mean much less energy?
No. The claim compares the fat content, not necessarily the energy. Albert Heijn lists 13 g of fat per 100 g for Lay's Oven Baked Original; also compare the energy and salt values per 100 g for the packet you’re buying.
How should I use Nutri-Score when comparing crisps?
Use Nutri-Score to compare products of the same type. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, it’s a tool to help with this comparison; also check the nutrition values and portion size.
Can I assume every Oven Baked flavour contains the same allergens?
No. Check the allergens for the exact flavour. The product information for Lay's Oven Baked Barbecue on Joybuy lists soya; the ingredients for another variety aren’t a substitute.
What does a ‘less fat’ claim tell me about the comparison?
The claim applies to a specific product and a stated reference product, such as regular potato crisps. Check the comparison and fat content on the current packet, then compare salt and energy too if they matter to your choice.