Runners choosing food for long-distance runs
You want to know whether a savoury snack can come along on a long training run, or whether you should plan other food and drinks instead.
Who is this choice for?
Runners who eat crisps outside their training sessions
You’re looking for a small snack after a run, on your way home or during a rest break—not as a substitute for food during exercise.
Snack shoppers who check portion sizes and ingredients
You compare pack sizes and want to check the ingredients and allergens on the label before buying.
What should you consider when choosing?
First decide whether you’re looking for something to eat while running or a snack for later. Only then does pack size become relevant.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Food during a run | Plan your food and drink around the length of your training session; don’t assess crisps based only on the carbohydrates listed. | On a long run, I want to be able to eat and drink along the way without relying on a bag of crisps. Around 40% of consumers prioritise suitable food during a run. |
| Before setting off | Check the portion size and fat content if you want to eat something shortly before running. | I don’t want a large, high-fat snack just before a run that might upset my stomach. For around 30% of consumers, this is the most important eating occasion to consider. |
| Snack portion afterwards | Compare the net weight with the portion you want to have; you can divide a larger bag up in advance. | After training, I want to know how many crisps I’m having as a snack. A pre-portioned serving is the top priority for around 20% of consumers. |
| Large bag for home | Check the net weight and consider whether you’ll divide the bag between several snack breaks. | At home, I want to use one bag for several snack breaks without taking it along as running fuel. Around 10% of consumers prioritise this. |
Common mistakes
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Relying on a savoury snack as your entire plan for a long run
Voedingscentrum highlights the importance of carbohydrates and fluids during prolonged exercise. A product containing carbohydrates doesn’t necessarily replace your drinks or the food you’ve planned to eat while running.
Before packing a snack, decide what you’ll eat and drink during your training session. Save paprika crisps for a snack break outside your run.
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Eating a large portion just before setting off
According to Voedingscentrum, large portions and high-fat foods shortly before exercise can cause stomach and digestive problems.
Think about when you’re eating, and try any snack you’re planning to have before a race during a training session first.
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Treating the whole bag as one portion
The pack size isn’t automatically the amount you’ll want to eat in one sitting. For example, Albert Heijn lists 25 g portions on a 250 g bag of AH Chips paprika.
Check the net weight and portion information, or divide a larger bag at home before you head out.
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Skipping the label if you avoid certain ingredients
The ingredients for Smiths Chips Paprika listed by SPAR include milk components and sulphites. Ingredients can change from one product to another.
Check the ingredients and allergen information on the pack you’re actually buying.
Brands to consider
Lay's
Lay's offers regular Paprika and Oven Baked Roasted Paprika as different varieties.
- Compare the variety and net weight when choosing a portion for later.
- The reduced-fat claim for Oven Baked Roasted Paprika is a claim made by Lay's about that variety. It doesn’t mean crisps can replace food during a run.
Albert Heijn
AH Chips paprika comes in a 250 g bag, with Albert Heijn listing a 25 g portion.
- The portion information is useful if you want to measure out a snack at home.
- The bag contains several portions; always check the current label for ingredients and nutritional information.
Jumbo
Jumbo stocks paprika crisps and ridged crisps with paprika flavour in a range of bag sizes.
- You can divide a larger bag between several snack breaks at home.
- If you only want to take a small amount, you’ll need to portion it yourself from a larger pack.
Sun Snacks
At ALDI, Sun Snacks offers a 50 g pack of paprika or ready salted crisps.
- The pack size makes it clear in advance how much you’ll be taking with you.
- A small pack of crisps still isn’t a substitute for food and drink during a long run.
Smiths
Smiths Chips Paprika is a specific product to assess by its ingredients and pack size.
- SPAR’s product information lists ingredients including potato powder and maize semolina.
- SPAR also lists milk components and sulphites; check the current label if you need to avoid these ingredients.
Paprika snacks for a planned snack break
These Joybuy products are suitable if you’re choosing a paprika snack for after your run or during a rest break. Compare a pack of individually portioned snacks with bags where you choose the amount yourself. Neither is a substitute for a food and drink plan for a long run.
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Pringles Red Pepper Flavoured Potato Chips 12 x 40 g
For anyone who wants to choose a snack for after training in individually packed portions. The pack contains 12 separate 40 g portions; if you have allergies, check the current label.
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Lay's Oven Baked Paprika 150 g
For a planned snack break outside your run. Choose how much you want from this 150 g bag; check the label for ingredients and allergens.
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Lay's Wokkels Paprika Chips 100 g
For anyone who fancies a paprika snack afterwards and wants to choose their own portion. The bag contains 100 g and isn’t divided into individual portions; check the label for ingredients and allergens.
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Croky Paprika Chips 200 g
For a snack break when you want to take a portion from a larger bag at home. The bag contains 200 g; check the energy information and serving basis on the packaging before using the nutritional values.
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Farmhouse Biscuits Paprika Chips 150 g
For anyone who wants to measure out a snack from a 150 g bag. Before buying, check the packaging to confirm the product type and ingredients for this variety.
Frequently asked questions
Can I take paprika crisps as food for a marathon?
Don’t use paprika crisps as a substitute for your food and drink plan during a marathon. Voedingscentrum highlights the importance of carbohydrates and fluids during prolonged exercise; decide what you’ll eat and drink along the way before you set off.
Is a bag of paprika crisps a good idea just before running?
A large portion just before running isn’t a sensible choice. Voedingscentrum warns that large portions and high-fat foods shortly before exercise can cause stomach and digestive problems. Try anything you plan to eat before a race during a training session first.
Which pack should I choose for a small snack afterwards?
Choose an amount that suits your planned snack break, or divide a larger bag up in advance. Albert Heijn lists a 25 g portion for AH Chips paprika; the 50 g Sun Snacks pack is an example of a smaller bag.
How do I check for allergens in paprika crisps?
Read the allergen information on the pack you’re buying. SPAR’s product information for Smiths Chips Paprika lists milk components and sulphites, but always refer to the current packaging as ingredients can change.
Does the salt in crisps replace drinks while running?
No, crisps don’t replace drinks. Voedingscentrum treats fluids as a separate consideration during prolonged exercise, so decide what to drink independently of whether you fancy a savoury snack afterwards.