Choose protein crisps if you want to take a small, savoury bag with more protein per serving after your workout. Also compare the salt, ingredients and number of servings in the pack. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, most people who exercise don’t need special protein products if they get enough protein from their usual diet. If you’re having a snack just before exercise, portion size and the amount of fat, protein and fibre matter too.
You want to have a small bag with you after a workout when you’re not eating a meal straight away. Protein crisps can be convenient, but according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, most people who exercise don’t need a special protein product if their usual diet provides enough protein.
You’re looking for a crunchy snack made with ingredients such as lentils, and you check for labels such as vegan or gluten-free. Also check the ingredients and any warnings about possible traces on the packaging, especially if allergens matter to you.
You want to take a savoury snack with you without automatically treating a multi-serving bag as one portion. The salt per bag and the portion size help you weigh the snack against what else you eat during the day.
Start with the portion you’ll actually take with you: a high protein content per 100 g doesn’t tell you much on its own about a small bag. Then check whether the ingredients and salt content suit your preferences.
| What to look for | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Protein per portion you take with you | Compare the protein per bag or stated serving with its weight, not just the figure per 100 g. | If I want to take one bag with me after a workout, I want to know how much protein is in that particular bag. An estimated 36% of consumers prioritise protein per portion they take with them. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the full ingredients list and allergen information on the current packaging; check dietary claims and possible traces separately. | When choosing a plant-based or gluten-free option, I want to be able to check whether that specific variety suits my needs. An estimated 29% of consumers consider ingredients and allergens first. |
| Salt and portion size | Compare the salt per bag and per 100 g, and check how many servings the pack contains. | If I take a larger bag with me, I want to decide in advance how much I’ll eat and how much salt that portion contains. An estimated 21% of consumers prioritise salt and portion size. |
| A familiar crisps experience | Choose between regular crisps and protein crisps, and compare the protein per serving of both if it matters to your choice. | Sometimes I mainly want the flavour and texture of regular crisps, without expecting them to provide much protein. An estimated 14% of consumers prioritise that familiar crisps experience. |
Albert Heijn’s product information lists 7.4 g of protein per 23 g bag for Body & Fit Smart Protein Chips Original, and 28 g per 100 g for AH Proteïne crisps paprika, or 7 g per stated 25 g serving. For comparison with regular crisps, Albert Heijn lists 6 g of protein per 100 g for Lay's Paprika and 6.2 g for Pringles Original; Jumbo lists 6.2 g per 100 g for Smiths Sticks Paprika. Bear your actual portion size in mind when considering each of these figures.
A claim on the packaging doesn’t tell you how much protein is in the portion you actually eat. Bags and stated servings vary in weight.
Read the nutrition information per serving and per 100 g, and compare products based on the same amount you want to take with you.
The pack of AH Proteïne crisps paprika contains 70 g, while the stated serving is 25 g. If you eat the whole bag, you’ll consume more than the figures for one stated serving.
Decide in advance how much you want to take with you, and portion it into a resealable container if needed.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against large portions and foods high in fat, protein or fibre just before exercise. So the timing of your snack is worth considering too.
Choose a portion and time that work for you around your workout, or save the crisps for afterwards.
If you’re choosing a product to meet an allergy or dietary requirement, the information for that specific variety is particularly important. Product availability can also change.
Check the current product listing before buying, and read the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging before eating.
These names can help you compare specific crisps and their nutrition information. A brand or retailer name alone won’t tell you how much protein is in a bag or whether a variety is currently available.
According to Albert Heijn, AH Proteïne crisps paprika is a lentil snack in a 70 g bag, with 28 g of protein per 100 g.
The Smart Protein Chips Original variety reviewed is a snack made with soya and potato. Albert Heijn lists 7.4 g of protein per 23 g bag.
For Protein Chips Salt & Pepper, Jumbo lists a 30 g bag with 7 g of protein; according to the product information, the variety is made up of 84% red lentils.
Lay's Paprika is included here as a comparison for regular potato crisps, not as a specific protein crisps product.
Pringles Original is a regular crisps variety to compare if you mainly want to take a familiar snack with you.
According to Jumbo, Smiths Sticks Paprika is a potato and maize snack, included here as a reference for a regular savoury snack.
Jumbo’s product information gives details for The Organic Crave Protein Chips Salt & Pepper per 30 g bag.
Lidl Netherlands describes a sports nutrition range that includes protein powders, bars, drinks and puddings.
No, protein crisps aren’t a necessary post-workout snack. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, most people who exercise get enough protein from a varied diet. Choose them if you want a portable, savoury snack at that moment and the nutrition information for your chosen portion suits your needs.
The portion size and timing make a difference. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against a large portion and foods high in fat, protein or fibre just before exercise. If you want to take crisps with you, consider whether you’d rather eat them after your workout.
Compare the salt per bag or per serving, and use the figure per 100 g to compare packs of different sizes. Albert Heijn lists 0.88 g of salt per 100 g for AH Proteïne crisps paprika and 2 g per 100 g for the Body & Fit Smart Protein Chips Original variety reviewed. Then consider how much of each variety you actually want to eat.
No. Even with these labels, check the allergen information on the specific pack. Albert Heijn’s product information labels AH Proteïne crisps paprika as vegan and gluten-free, but also mentions possible traces of milk, sesame, soya and lactose. The Body & Fit variety reviewed contains soya and may contain traces of gluten.
