Protein crisps can be a good option if you fancy a crunchy snack after exercise and want to keep an eye on how much protein each portion contains. Compare the salt, ingredients and allergens too: a higher protein content doesn’t turn a bag of crisps into a meal. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, most people who exercise don’t need specialist protein products if they eat a varied diet.
You want to know how much protein a bag adds when a meal isn’t convenient. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, most people who exercise don’t need specialist protein products if they eat a varied diet.
As well as protein, you check what the crisps are made from and look for claims such as vegan or gluten-free. If you have an allergy, it’s important to check the current ingredients and ‘may contain’ information on the pack.
You don’t want to rely on the protein claim alone. You also want to compare portion sizes, nutritional values and salt content across different snacks.
Start by considering what a portion adds to your usual diet. Then compare the ingredients and check whether the variety you want is available.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Protein per portion | Compare protein per 100 g and per bag, and check the portion size too. | After exercise, I want to know how much protein my snack actually adds, without treating it as a meal. For around 42% of shoppers, the protein content per portion comes first. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Check the nutritional information for salt and fibre, and read the current ingredients and ‘may contain’ information. | If I need to check ingredients or allergens, protein content alone isn’t enough to help me choose crisps. Around 33% of shoppers say that ingredients are their top priority. |
| Availability and snack preference | Check whether your preferred flavour and pack size are available at your shop. If protein isn’t your main goal, compare them with regular crisps. | When doing my shopping, I mainly want a snack I can find and enjoy. For around 25% of shoppers, this practical consideration matters most. |
A bag can add protein, but that doesn’t make it a complete meal after exercise. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that most people who exercise don’t need specialist protein products if they eat a varied diet.
Choose crisps because you fancy a snack, and consider their protein contribution alongside everything else you eat.
Salt content and allergens also vary between varieties. For example, Albert Heijn’s product information lists 0.88 g of salt per 100 g for AH Proteïne crisps paprika and 2 g per 100 g for Body & Fit Smart Protein Chips Original.
Read the nutrition table per 100 g and per portion, and check the current packaging if you have allergies.
A page with nutritional information doesn’t mean the crisps are still available to buy. The Body & Fit listing at Albert Heijn and The Organic Crave listing at Jumbo that we looked at are no longer part of their online ranges.
Just before you shop, check whether your preferred flavour and pack size are available at your chosen retailer.
The AH Proteïne crisps we looked at are lentil crisps available in paprika and sweet chilli varieties.
The Smart Protein Chips Original we looked at are a snack in a 23 g bag.
The Protein Chips Paprika & Onion we looked at are red lentil crisps in a 30 g bag.
Lay's Naturel is an example of regular potato crisps for anyone who isn’t specifically looking for a high-protein snack.
Pringles Original is a regular crisp variety in a tube, rather than one of the options we looked at for a higher protein content.
The Nibb-it Rings we looked at are a regular savoury snack, not a replacement for protein crisps if adding protein is your main goal.
No, protein crisps are generally not necessary. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, most people who exercise get enough protein from a varied diet. Think of crisps as a snack within your overall diet, not as a meal.
Under Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, published on EUR-Lex, this nutrition claim may be used in the EU if at least 20% of the product’s energy value comes from protein. Also check the packaging to see how many grams of protein are in one portion.
Not necessarily: these claims don’t replace the allergen and ‘may contain’ information. The AH Proteïne crisps paprika we looked at mention possible traces of milk, sesame and soya, among other things, so always check the current packaging.
Nutri-Score can help you compare products within the same category, as Albert Heijn explains in its guide to the label. Also check the nutrition table for values per 100 g and per portion; a score alone can’t tell you whether a snack is right for you.
Follow the storage instructions on the packaging you choose. For AH Proteïne crisps paprika, the product information recommends storing them in a cool, dark and dry place and keeping them in a sealed container once opened. Instructions may differ for other varieties.
