If you have a specific allergy, trust the label on the paprika crisps you choose rather than the flavour name or a general claim such as gluten-free. If you eat shortly before exercising, pay attention to portion size and fat content too: according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, large portions and high-fat foods stay in your stomach for longer. Choosing a lower-fat option doesn’t remove the need to check for allergens.
A label such as vegan or gluten-free doesn’t automatically tell you whether a product meets your allergen requirements. Check the ingredients, allergens and any ‘may contain’ statement on the current packaging.
If there’s little time between having a snack and exercising, portion size and what it contains matter. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against large portions and foods high in fat, protein or fibre just before exercise, as they stay in your stomach for longer.
If you’re comparing paprika crisps on these grounds, check each variety individually. Albert Heijn describes Proper Paprika lentil chips as vegan and gluten-free, but also says they may contain soya.
Start with any essential allergen requirements. Then consider how soon you’ll be exercising, the portion you plan to eat and the nutritional information for the options that meet your needs.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Specific allergen | Read the ingredients, allergens and any ‘may contain’ statement on the exact product packaging. | If I need to avoid an allergen, a suitable label matters more than the flavour or brand. For around 36% of consumers, checking for a specific allergen comes first. |
| Snack shortly before exercise | Consider how much time you have and how much fat is in the portion you plan to eat. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against large, high-fat portions just before exercise. | Just before exercising, I don’t want a large portion that will stay in my stomach for longer. Around 29% of consumers give a small snack at that time top priority. |
| Fat and portion size | Compare fat per 100 g, then work out what that means for the portion you want to eat; check salt separately. | I want to choose paprika crisps with the amount of fat I’ll actually eat in mind. For around 21% of consumers, this is the most important consideration. |
| Plant-based or gluten-free preference | Check the label on the variety you’ve chosen and read the rest of the allergen information too. | If I want to eat plant-based or avoid gluten by choice, I look for an option that suits me. For around 14% of consumers, this preference is the deciding factor. |
A claim doesn’t rule out other allergens. Albert Heijn describes Proper Paprika lentil chips as vegan and gluten-free, while warning that they may contain soya.
Identify the allergen you need to avoid, then check both the ingredients and the warnings on the packaging for that substance.
How much you eat changes the equation just before exercise. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, an average 40 g bowl of crisps contains 13.1 g of fat.
Decide on your portion before you start eating. If your training session is coming up soon, consider having a smaller portion or something else you know you can tolerate.
A lower stated fat content tells you nothing about salt or potential allergens. Albert Heijn lists Proper Paprika lentil chips as containing 19 g of fat and 2.71 g of salt per 100 g, as well as warning that they may contain soya.
Compare fat and salt on the same basis, then check the allergens in the bag you’ve chosen.
Ingredients and allergen information can change. Albert Heijn also warns of this in its online product information.
Use a product page to compare options, but if you have an important dietary or allergen requirement, check the label on the packaging you’re buying.
Croky Paprika Chips 200 g is an option to look into if gluten-free eating or checking for allergens is a priority.
Proper Paprika lentil chips are a lentil-based option to compare if you’re looking for plant-based or gluten-free snacks.
Lay's Oven Baked Roasted Paprika is an oven-baked option that the brand positions as an alternative to regular potato crisps.
Jumbo Paprika Chips 250 g provides a point of comparison for classic paprika-flavoured potato crisps.
Smiths Sticks Paprika are paprika-flavoured sticks to compare if you’re also considering a different shape from flat potato crisps.
These two Lay's varieties let you compare classic paprika-flavoured potato crisps with an oven-baked paprika option. As well as the stated fat content, check the allergens on the packaging and the portion you plan to eat before exercising.
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Classic paprika-flavoured potato crisps to compare for their nutritional values and allergens. Keep an eye on your portion if you’re eating shortly before exercising.
The product description lists 27 g of fat, 55 g of carbohydrates and 0.65 g of salt per 100 g. It also says the product doesn’t contain any of the 14 major EU allergens; if you have a specific allergy, check the packaging label.
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An oven-baked paprika option to compare if you’re mainly looking at fat per 100 g; portion size still matters just before exercising.
The product description lists 13 g of fat, 72 g of carbohydrates and 0.81 g of salt per 100 g. It lists milk as an allergen, so this variety isn’t suitable if you have a milk allergy or want to avoid milk. Check the packaging label.
A large or high-fat portion just before exercise isn’t a sensible choice. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against large portions and foods high in fat, protein or fibre at that time, as they stay in your stomach for longer. If you do want to eat crisps, consider how soon your training session starts and how much you plan to have.
No. Gluten-free doesn’t mean that other allergens are absent. For example, Albert Heijn describes Proper Paprika lentil chips as gluten-free, but also warns that they may contain soya. Always check for the allergen that matters to you.
Trust the current packaging for the variety you’re buying. Albert Heijn warns that online information about ingredients, nutritional values and allergens can change, so use a product page mainly for an initial comparison.
If you have an important allergen or dietary requirement, don’t rely on older online information. Read the ingredients and allergens on the packaging. If you’re unsure, ask the retailer or manufacturer for information about the exact product before eating it.
