Buy paprika crisps as a planned snack, not as fuel immediately before or during an intense long run. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against having a large portion or high-fat foods just before exercise; paprika crisps contain fat as well as carbohydrates. Let your regular meals and drinks form the basis of your training plan, and compare the timing, portion size and current packaging information when choosing a snack.
If eating just before a training session doesn’t agree with you, when you eat crisps matters more than the flavour. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against having a large portion or high-fat foods just before exercise.
You’re looking for something savoury to have alongside your regular meals, not instead of them. The portion size and nutritional information can help you decide how paprika crisps fit into your plan.
When choosing paprika crisps, you might compare flavour, pack size or fat content. Look at the specific products and their current packaging information, rather than relying only on the brand name or the front of the packet.
First, decide when you want to eat the crisps. Then compare the nutritional information per 100 g with the amount you plan to have.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this for? |
|---|---|---|
| When you eat them | Don’t plan to have crisps as a snack just before an intense long run; at that point, pay particular attention to portion size and fat content. | When I’m about to go running, I don’t want a fatty snack to sit heavily on my stomach. That’s why around 36% of consumers put timing first. |
| Everyday nutrition | Check that your regular meals and drinks are planned before buying crisps as an extra snack. | When I’m training for several hours, I don’t want to replace my meals with something savoury from a packet. Around 29% of consumers give this nutritional foundation top priority. |
| Fat and salt | Compare fat and salt per 100 g and consider how much you’ll actually eat; check any reduced-fat claim on the specific packet. | If I do have crisps, I want to know what the difference between varieties means for my portion. For around 21% of consumers, this comparison matters most. |
| Flavour and pack size | Choose the flavour and pack that suit your planned snack; if you have an allergy, check the current ingredients information too. | My training and meals are already sorted, so for this purchase I’m mainly choosing a flavour and a suitable pack size. That’s the priority for around 14% of consumers. |
For guidance, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives average values of 2,8 g of fat, 6 g of carbohydrates and 0,17 g of salt for a 10 g handful of paprika crisps. Values can vary between specific packets, so check the nutritional information on the packaging.
The fact that paprika crisps contain carbohydrates doesn’t make them a substitute for a regular meal. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, high-fat foods can stay in your stomach for longer if eaten just before exercise.
Plan your meals and drinks separately from your snack choice. If you do want to eat something shortly before setting off, bear in mind what you personally tolerate well.
According to Lay's own product information, Oven Baked Roasted Paprika contains 50% less fat than regular potato crisps. This brand claim applies to this variety; it doesn’t mean the crisps are suitable as fuel while running.
Compare oven-baked crisps only if you’re choosing between snacks based on fat content. Also check the portion size, salt content and ingredients.
Ingredients can change. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority stresses that allergens must be clearly listed on food labels.
Every time you buy the product, check the ingredients and allergen information on the packet you’re taking home.
Lay's offers several paprika varieties, including Oven Baked and Sensations. Choose based on the specific variety if texture or how the crisps are made matters to you.
AH Chips paprika is an own-brand variety sold in a 250 g bag, with nutritional information on the product page.
Jumbo lists both regular paprika crisps and ridged paprika crisps under its own brand. These are different options in its paprika crisps range.
Snack Day is Lidl’s own-brand name for products including paprika crisps in a 250 g bag.
Sun Snacks is ALDI’s own-brand option for paprika crisps in a 250 g bag.
These Joybuy products suit anyone choosing paprika crisps as a snack on a rest day or outside the immediate training window. The oven-baked variety is also worth considering if you specifically want to compare the fat content of paprika crisps; none of these options replaces a planned meal before a long run.
Image unavailable
A bag of paprika crisps for a planned snack outside the immediate training window.
Compare the nutritional information per 100 g with the portion you want to eat. If you have an allergy, check the current packaging.
Image unavailable
An oven-baked variety to consider if you want to compare fat content when choosing a snack.
Compare the current label with the one on the other variety you’re considering. Oven-baked paprika crisps are not a substitute for food during a run.
Image unavailable
A different paprika flavour for anyone buying crisps as a planned snack.
When comparing these with regular paprika crisps, check the nutritional information and ingredients for this specific variety too.
Image unavailable
A larger bag for anyone picking up paprika crisps as an everyday snack with their shopping.
The weight of the bag isn’t the same as a portion. Decide how much you want to eat and check the current label for details.
Image unavailable
A smaller bag for anyone looking for a paprika snack without choosing a large pack.
Here too, compare fat and salt per 100 g and check the current ingredients and allergen information.
Not as a regular choice just before an intense training session. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against having a large portion or high-fat foods at that point, as they can stay in your stomach for longer. It’s better to have paprika crisps at another time.
Don’t treat paprika crisps as your planned fuel for a run. They contain fat as well as carbohydrates; plan food and drink for a long training session around its duration and intensity, and what you personally tolerate.
Read the ingredients and allergen information on the packet you’re buying. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority stresses that allergens must be clearly listed on the label; don’t rely solely on a product page you viewed previously when buying again.
These product features don’t in themselves tell you when to eat crisps or whether they’re suitable as training food. If ingredients or dietary features matter for your purchase, check the claim on the specific packet.
Seal the packet carefully after opening and store the crisps according to the instructions on the bag. Albert Heijn recommends storing its paprika crisps in a cool, dry place away from light; the Joybuy product information for a Lay's variety says to store in a cool, dry place.
