Night-shift workers buying snacks for several shifts
You’re looking for a savoury snack for more than one break and want the size of the bag to match how much you’ll actually use.
Who are these options for?
Workers who want to take a set portion with them
You choose based on size, packaging and the texture you prefer. Pringles Original is available in 40 g, 70 g and 165 g packs; Lay's also offers extra-ridged crisps in its MAX range.
Consumers who check ingredients and allergens
You read the label on the exact variant rather than relying on the name ‘plain’ or on product information you’ve seen before. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains how allergens are listed on labels.
What should you look for when choosing?
Work out how many snack breaks you’re planning and what size pack would suit them. Then check the label on the pack you’re thinking of buying.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Contents for several shifts | Compare the pack weight and think about how many breaks you want the contents to cover. | When I’m working consecutive shifts, I want to know whether one bag will cover my planned snack breaks. Around 34% of consumers prioritise having enough for several shifts. |
| Portion and snack break | Check whether the pack size suits one break and decide how the snack fits in with your other meals. | For a single break, I want to choose my portion in advance without treating crisps as a meal replacement. Around 33% of consumers prioritise choosing their portion. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients list, highlighted allergens and any warnings on the exact pack. | If I need to avoid certain ingredients, I want to check the information on the variant I’m holding. Ingredients and allergens are the first thing around 33% of consumers look at. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘plain’ tells you about allergens
A flavour name is no substitute for the ingredients list. Pringles lists ingredients including wheat flour for Original, and says it may contain milk and soya; this doesn’t tell you anything about the ingredients in other crisps.
Before buying, check the ingredients and allergen information on the exact pack.
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Assuming a claim about one product range applies to all crisps
Lay's makes claims about the ingredients in Oven Baked that don’t automatically apply to MAX or other ranges. And the words ‘oven baked’ don’t tell you what the rest of a variant’s nutritional information looks like.
Check the nutritional information per 100 g on the pack of the variant you’re considering.
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Choosing crisps to help you stay alert
VGZ discusses the importance of meal times during night work, but that doesn’t mean a particular type of crisps is a proven way to stay alert.
Choose crisps as a savoury snack and plan your meal times separately.
Brands and product ranges to consider
Albert Heijn
The AH range includes plain crisps in several varieties, including standard and ridged crisps.
- AH Chips naturel is listed in a 250 g bag.
- Check the pack of the variant you choose: Albert Heijn notes that product information can change.
Jumbo
The Jumbo range lets you compare different plain varieties by pack weight.
- Jumbo Chips Naturel is listed as 250 g and Jumbo Ribbelchips Naturel as 335 g.
- The difference in weight doesn’t tell you whether the flavour, texture and ingredients are the same.
Lidl Snack Day
Lidl describes Snack Day as its own snack brand, which includes plain crisps.
- Lidl lists Snack Day Naturel chips in a 250 g bag.
- Check the pack and product information for the exact variant you’ve chosen.
Lay's
Lay's has different crisp textures and product ranges if you’re looking for a particular variety.
- Lay's describes MAX as extra-ridged and also offers the Oven Baked range.
- Features of one range don’t automatically apply to another, so compare the nutritional information for the exact variant.
Pringles
Pringles Original is an option if you’re looking for stackable crisps in a tube and a set pack size.
- Pringles lists Original in 40 g, 70 g and 165 g sizes.
- Pringles lists ingredients including wheat flour for Original, and says it may contain milk and soya; check the current pack.
Crisps at Joybuy
Related products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
Is a smaller pack unsuitable for a night shift?
No, a smaller pack could be right if you want to take crisps for one break. Pringles lists Original in 40 g, 70 g and 165 g packs; choose the size that suits the portion you want.
Do I still need to check allergens in plain crisps?
Yes. The name ‘plain’ doesn’t tell you which allergens a specific variant contains. Read the ingredients list and allergen information on the pack; the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains how allergens are listed on food labels.
Do crisps help you stay alert during a night shift?
There’s no evidence to support choosing a particular type of crisps for this reason. VGZ discusses meal times during night work; treat crisps as a snack and don’t base your choice of when to eat on them.
Why should I read the pack if I’ve already checked the ingredients online?
The pack for the exact variant gives you product information you can check when you buy it. Albert Heijn recommends reading the pack because information can change; always check again if ingredients or allergens are important to your choice.