Snackers who want to take one portion with them
Would you rather take a sealed pack than eat from a large bag? A 40 g bag makes it easy to see how much you're having; Albert Heijn lists Lay's Paprika 40 g as one portion.
Which pack is handy for you?
Fans of ridged crisps
If texture matters to you, you could consider a ridged variety. Check the label too: Jumbo lists Lay's MAX Paprika 40 g as containing more salt per bag than regular Lay's Paprika 40 g.
Snackers who consider the label and their training schedule
If you want to compare fat, salt, ingredients or allergens, check the nutritional information on the pack. If you're eating shortly before exercise, also consider the portion size and when you're eating.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, decide whether you need a sealed single-portion pack or would rather portion some out at home. Then compare the flavour and nutritional information per portion, especially if you plan to eat the crisps around a training session.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is this important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Measured portion | Check the net weight and number of portions per pack; a 150 g bag is different from an individual 40 g bag. | I want to take one sealed snack without eating from a large bag while I'm out. For around 42% of consumers, portion convenience comes first. |
| Flavour and texture | Check whether you're choosing regular or ridged crisps, and compare the salt per portion in smaller bags. | The crunch makes all the difference to me when I take crisps along for a treat. Around 33% of consumers say flavour and texture come first. |
| Nutritional information and timing | Compare things like fat and salt per portion, and decide when you want to eat your snack. | If I'm eating shortly before exercise, I want to know what's in my portion. Nutritional information and timing are the main priorities for around 25% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming all small bags are the same
According to Jumbo, a 40 g bag of regular Lay's Paprika contains 0.26 g of salt, while Lay's MAX Paprika contains 0.49 g. So the same pack weight doesn't mean the same nutritional values.
Check the current pack and compare the values per portion and per 100 g.
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Mistaking a snack for when you're out and about for food to fuel your training
A handy bag of crisps isn't necessarily what you want to eat just before or after exercise. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against large portions and foods high in fat just before exercise.
Choose crisps when you're in the mood for them, and consider your food and drink around exercise separately.
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Reading only the front of the bag
A flavour name or claim on the front doesn't tell you which ingredients, allergens and nutritional values apply to your portion.
Before buying, check the ingredients list, allergen information, portion size and nutrition table on the pack.
Brands to consider
Lay's
Examples to compare pack sizes and varieties include regular Paprika 40 g, MAX Paprika 40 g and Oven Baked Roasted Paprika.
- Albert Heijn lists the regular 40 g pack as one portion.
- According to Jumbo, MAX Paprika 40 g contains 0.49 g of salt per bag, compared with 0.26 g for regular Paprika 40 g.
- According to Lay's own product information, Oven Baked Roasted Paprika contains 50% less fat than regular potato crisps. Also compare the portion size and nutrition table on the pack you buy.
Jumbo
Jumbo also lists its own-brand paprika crisps in a larger 250 g pack.
- You can divide a larger bag into portions at home.
- Without a separate tub or bag, the pack doesn't give you a pre-portioned, sealed snack for your gym bag.
Snack Day (Lidl)
Lidl lists Snack Day Paprika crisps in a 250 g pack as an in-store product.
- This pack size works well if you want to portion out an amount at home.
- To compare what you're having at each snack occasion, check the portion size and nutritional information on the pack.
Paprika crisps for when you're out and about at Joybuy
These products show two ways to take crisps with you: individual 40 g portions or a larger bag that you can portion out yourself.
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Pringles Red Pepper Flavoured potato crisps, 12 × 40 g
The individual packs are a good option if you want to take one measured portion with you. Check the nutritional values and allergen information on the current pack to make sure it's right for you.
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Lay's Oven Baked Paprika, 150 g
This 150 g bag is suited to someone who wants to portion out an amount at home to take with them, rather than someone looking for a single individual bag. Check the portion size, nutritional values and allergen information on the current pack.
Frequently asked questions
Should I eat paprika crisps just before exercise?
If you're planning to eat shortly before an intense training session, crisps may not be the best choice. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against large portions and foods high in fat just before exercise, so consider the timing and portion size separately from the convenience of a bag to take with you.
Is 40 g of paprika crisps always one portion?
No, check the number of portions stated on the specific pack. Albert Heijn lists Lay's Paprika 40 g as one portion; according to Jumbo, that bag contains 203 kcal, 11 g of fat and 0.26 g of salt. Other packs may differ.
Can paprika crisps contain allergens?
Yes, ingredients and allergens vary by product. Albert Heijn lists milk and lactose in its AH Chips paprika 20-pack. Always check the allergen information on the specific pack you choose.
Can I take a large bag of paprika crisps in my gym bag?
You can, but a large bag doesn't give you one measured snack portion automatically. If you don't want to take the whole pack, portion some out at home into a resealable tub or bag.