For lunch on the go, protein crisps are best treated as a savoury extra: compare the protein in the portion you’ll actually eat, and check the salt, ingredients and allergens too. A protein claim doesn’t make crisps a complete lunch. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre also says that most athletes don’t need special protein products.
After an intense workout, you might want to take something savoury with you when a proper lunch isn’t an option straight away. Consider the snack alongside the rest of what you eat; according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, most athletes don’t need special protein products.
You’re looking for a portable snack and want to check the ingredients and potential allergens before buying. Albert Heijn describes its Proteïne crisps paprika as vegan and gluten-free, but also warns that traces of allergens may be present.
You want to know how much you’ll actually eat from a packet. So compare the pack weight with the stated portion size, and check the nutrition information for protein, fibre and salt on the same basis.
Start with the portion you’re likely to eat, then check the ingredients and allergens and consider how the snack fits into your lunch.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Protein per portion | Check how much protein is in the portion or whole packet you plan to eat; the figure per 100 g doesn’t automatically tell you how much you’ll get. | After a hard workout, I want to take something savoury with me without mistaking a snack for a full meal. Around 36% of consumers prioritise a practical way to get protein after exercise. |
| Lunch-friendly pack size | Compare the pack weight with the number of stated portions. Albert Heijn lists portions of 25 g for its 70 g bag. | When I don’t have much time for lunch, I want to know in advance whether I’m taking one packet or just part of a larger pack. For around 29% of consumers, a convenient lunch extra to take with them matters most. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Check the current ingredients list and allergen information; vegan or gluten-free doesn’t mean allergen-free. | If you eat a plant-based diet or need to avoid certain ingredients, you’ll want to choose a snack that suits your needs. Around 21% of consumers prioritise dietary and allergen information. |
| Salt and nutrition information | Check the salt per 100 g and per portion eaten, and consider the rest of the nutrition information too. | When lunch includes more than one savoury snack, I want to be able to keep track of the salt and overall nutritional content. Around 14% of consumers prioritise this consideration. |
A small packet and a larger pack won’t give you the same amount of protein if you eat them whole, even when their figures per 100 g are similar.
Check the stated portion size and, if needed, work out the nutrition information for the amount you’ll actually eat.
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, most athletes don’t need special protein products. What’s more, the claim on a packet of crisps says nothing about whether your lunch is complete.
Consider the snack as an addition to your usual food, not an automatic meal replacement.
The products described here differ in their ingredients and warnings about possible traces. For example, Body & Fit Smart Protein Chips Original contains soya.
Check the allergen information on the current packaging when you buy the product and before eating it, especially if you need to avoid certain ingredients strictly.
Flavour, pack size and nutrition information can vary between varieties. The Body & Fit Original variety described here is not the same product as the Naturel multipack.
Compare the full product name and the nutrition information for the variety you want to order.
AH Proteïne crisps paprika is a 70 g bag made from lentils, with stated portions of 25 g.
Smart Protein Chips Original is an individual 23 g packet made with ingredients including soya and potato.
Protein Chips Salt & Pepper is an organic 30 g packet made from red lentils.
No, not necessarily. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that most athletes don’t need special protein products. If you want to take crisps with you after exercise, check how much protein is in the portion you’ll eat and treat it as part of your food, not a complete lunch.
No. The claim describes one feature of the product, not the make-up of your entire lunch. Consider what else you’re eating with the crisps, and check the portion size and other nutrition information too.
Compare the amount of protein in the portion you actually plan to eat. To do this, check the weight of both packs and whether their nutrition information is given per 100 g, per portion or per packet.
Yes, especially if you need to avoid certain ingredients. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that allergens must be listed on labels. The products described here include soya or warnings about possible traces of milk, sesame, soya and lactose; check the packaging of your chosen variety before eating it.
