Protein crisps aren’t an obvious choice for your main source of fuel just before or during a long run. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says carbohydrates are important for endurance sports, while foods high in fat, protein or fibre can feel heavy shortly before exercise. Outside your running window, protein crisps can make a savoury snack: compare the nutrition information per portion, and don’t treat them as a meal replacement.
If you’re going for a run soon after eating, a snack that sits well at that time is more useful than a high protein figure on the front of the pack. For endurance sports, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre highlights the role of carbohydrates and advises against a large portion high in fat, protein or fibre shortly before exercise.
If you’re looking for a portable, savoury snack outside your running window, the amount of protein in the portion you actually eat is what matters. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says most people who do sport don’t need specialist protein products if they already eat a varied diet.
If you pay attention to ingredients, allergens or salt, compare the specific flavour and pack rather than relying on the product name alone. The crisps reviewed differ in these respects; the current allergen information on the packaging should guide your choice.
First decide when you want to eat the crisps. For a long run, consider your fuel around the training session; for a savoury snack at other times, compare portion sizes and label information.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Eating around your run | Consider when you plan to eat and the carbohydrates per portion. If you’ll be eating shortly before running, also compare the amounts of fat, protein and fibre. | If I’m starting a long run soon after eating, I want to choose fuel that won’t feel heavy. For around 42% of shoppers, this need around their run comes first. |
| Protein per portion | Compare protein per 100 g and per bag or portion eaten; a small pack won’t provide the same amount as 100 g. | Sometimes I fancy something savoury after a training session, but I want to know how much protein I’m actually eating. Around 33% of shoppers give this practical protein boost top priority. |
| Label and allergens | Read the ingredients, allergen information and amount of salt per 100 g and per portion on the current packaging. | When choosing a snack, ingredients and allergens matter more to me than a sporty product name; I also want to be able to compare the salt content. This is the main buying consideration for around 25% of shoppers. |
A high protein content doesn’t tell you whether a snack is a good choice just before or during a long run. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says carbohydrates are important for endurance sports, and that foods high in fat, protein or fibre can feel heavy shortly before exercise.
Don’t automatically use protein crisps as an alternative to the food you usually have around long training sessions. Consider the timing and nutritional make-up separately.
Figures per 100 g are useful for comparing products, but a 23 g bag provides a different amount from a 70 g bag.
Check the nutrition information per portion too, or calculate it from the pack weight. This lets you compare the amount of protein, salt and energy relevant to your snack.
Crisps made with lentils or soya can still contain allergens or carry warnings about possible traces. The varieties reviewed have different labels in this respect.
If you have an allergy, check the current ingredients list and allergen warning for the exact flavour and pack you want to buy.
The listings reviewed for Body & Fit Smart Protein Chips Original and The Organic Crave Cheese Protein Chips indicated that these products were no longer in the online range. Their nutritional values are still useful for understanding differences between labels, but they don’t confirm current availability.
Before buying, check whether the variety you want is available and whether the nutrition information on the current packaging matches what you want to compare.
These brands show different types of crisps and label information. A brand name alone doesn’t tell you whether a particular variety is right for when you plan to eat it.
AH Proteïne Crisps Paprika are a lentil-based option for anyone looking to compare the labels of savoury, high-protein snacks.
Smart Protein Chips Original are a soya and potato variety with a label that should be assessed on its own merits.
The Cheese Protein Chips are a lentil-based variety, for which the nutritional information for the specific flavour is particularly relevant.
The Naturel and Oven Baked Naturel varieties reviewed are ordinary potato crisps, not snacks specifically designed to be high in protein.
Pringles Original are ordinary stackable crisps to consider as a savoury snack, rather than as a way to meet a protein-focused goal.
Not as your main choice just before or during a run. For endurance sports, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre highlights the importance of carbohydrates and advises against large portions or foods high in fat, protein or fibre shortly before exercise. So consider when you’re eating, not just the protein figure.
You could consider them as a snack if you fancy something savoury after a training session or during a rest break. Compare the amount per portion with what else you eat; the Netherlands Nutrition Centre says most people who do sport don’t need specialist protein products if they have a varied diet.
No. The amount of protein alone doesn’t tell you what a complete meal provides or whether a snack is right for your training schedule. As well as checking protein per portion, read the rest of the nutrition information and treat crisps as a snack.
Read the ingredients list and allergen warnings on the current packaging for the specific variety. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that allergens must be listed on food labels; don’t base your choice solely on words such as “plant-based” or on the main ingredient.
Follow the storage instructions on the packaging for the variety you’ve bought. The AH Proteïne Crisps Paprika listing reviewed advises storing the crisps in a sealed container after opening; check the current packaging before applying that instruction to your bag.
