Protein crisps can make a savoury addition to your university lunch if the nutrition information tells you how much protein you’ll actually get per serving. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, average crisps contain 2.5 g of protein per 40 g bowl, so don’t treat regular crisps as the main source of protein in your lunch. Compare salt, saturated fat, serving size and allergens too, and think about what else you’ll be eating with them.
You’re looking for a savoury snack after lectures or training, but want to know what it adds to your lunch. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, most people who exercise don’t need special protein shakes or bars if they eat a healthy, varied diet. So check how much protein you’ll get from the portion you actually eat.
You want to bring crisps with you or buy some to have with lunch, without letting the snack become the whole meal. Think about what else you’ll be eating and which of those foods provide protein.
You need to be able to check the ingredients and allergens in your chosen flavour. For example, a version of The Organic Crave listed by Jumbo contains milk ingredients; check the current packaging for each variety.
First decide whether you want to get most of your protein from your snack, or whether you’ll have crisps alongside a lunch that includes a separate source of protein. Then compare the nutrition information for the specific product and serving size.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Protein per serving | Compare protein per 100 g and calculate how much you’ll get from the portion you eat. Also check which other parts of your lunch provide protein. | After exercise, I want to know whether my savoury snack adds a noticeable amount of protein to my lunch. For around 36% of consumers, protein content is the top priority. |
| Putting your lunch together | Decide whether the crisps are a snack or part of your lunch, and what you’ll eat alongside them. | When I’m having lunch between lectures, I don’t want a bag of crisps to be my only lunch item. For around 29% of consumers, putting together a practical lunch is the top priority. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients list and highlighted allergens on the current packaging, even if you’re buying a different flavour from the same brand. | If I have a food allergy or dietary preference, I need to be able to decide whether the variety I’ve chosen is right for me. Around 21% of consumers prioritise ingredients and allergens. |
| Availability | Check whether the variety you want is available where you plan to buy it; an online range doesn’t tell you what’s on offer in the university canteen. | When I buy lunch on the go, I don’t want to rely on one specific flavour that might not be available. For around 14% of consumers, immediate availability matters most. |
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, an average 40 g bowl of crisps contains 2.5 g of protein, as well as 215 kcal and 0.53 g of salt. That’s not the same as building a lunch around a separate source of protein.
Have crisps as a snack or side, and consider what else is in your lunch. When assessing protein crisps, look at the amount of protein in your portion, not just the product name.
According to Lay’s Benelux, Lay’s Oven Baked Roasted Paprika contains 50% less fat than regular potato crisps. That comparison is about fat, not protein content.
If protein is your main priority, compare the protein content separately. When comparing nutrition information, make sure you’re looking at the same quantity each time.
Albert Heijn says that product ingredients, nutrition information and allergen details can change. A variety listed online may also be discontinued later.
Before buying, check that the product is currently available, and read the packaging of the variety you’ve chosen before eating it.
The Organic Crave Protein Chips Sour Cream & Onion, listed by Jumbo, contains ingredients including skimmed milk powder and cheese powder. Other flavours may have different ingredients.
If you have a food allergy, check the highlighted allergens and the full ingredients list on every pack you choose.
A supermarket range that includes AH Proteïne Crisps, for anyone considering protein crisps alongside other lunch snacks.
A brand with Smart Protein Chips for anyone looking specifically for a savoury protein snack.
Protein Chips where the ingredients in each flavour are an important factor when choosing.
A regular crisp option if you’re looking for a savoury addition and get your protein from another part of your lunch.
Regular crisps available in a range of flavours and pack sizes.
These crisps suit you if you want to add a savoury snack to your lunch and get your protein from another part of the meal. If you’re specifically looking for protein crisps, compare the protein content of individual products per serving.
Image unavailable
A savoury crisp to add to a lunch where you get your protein from something else.
Barbecue flavour in a 150 g pack. Check the packaging for the protein and salt content of your portion.
No, you don’t automatically need protein crisps after exercise. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, most people who exercise don’t need special protein shakes or bars if they eat a healthy, varied diet. Choose crisps based on what they actually add to your lunch and whether you fancy a savoury snack.
First compare the nutrition information per 100 g, then check how much of each product you’ll actually eat. For average crisps, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives 2.5 g of protein, 215 kcal and 0.53 g of salt per 40 g; check the packaging for the values of a specific variety.
No, the wording on the front doesn’t tell you how much protein you’ll get in your portion. Check the serving size, other nutrition information and ingredients too before deciding whether the crisps are right for your lunch.
Read the allergen information and full ingredients list on the current packaging for the flavour you’ve chosen. For example, Jumbo lists milk ingredients in The Organic Crave Protein Chips Sour Cream & Onion; don’t assume other flavours have the same ingredients.
