If you check the protein per bag
You want to take crisps with you when you're out and know how much protein the whole pack provides. Compare that amount with the energy and salt per bag, rather than looking only at the figures per 100 g.
Who are small bags handy for?
If you plan your portions in advance
You want to be able to pack one bag without opening a larger one. With multipacks, the weight of each bag matters: Jumbo lists small bags in different sizes, including 22 g, 40 g and 44 g.
If you check ingredients and allergens
You read the nutritional information and ingredients for each flavour carefully. With a multipack, check for differences between the individual bags too; when it comes to allergens, the information on the current packaging is what matters.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, decide how much crisps you want to take with you. Then check how much protein, energy and salt the whole bag provides, and check the ingredients for your chosen flavour.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Protein per bag | Compare the grams of protein in the whole pack and check how many grams of crisps it contains. | If I'm taking crisps with me while keeping an eye on protein, I want to know what the whole bag provides. For around 50% of consumers, protein content is the most important factor. |
| A portion for on the go | Check the weight of each bag and how many individual bags are in the multipack. | For work or when I'm out and about, I want to be able to pack one portion in advance. Having a clearly defined portion is the priority for around 30% of consumers. |
| Label and ingredients | Check the energy and salt per bag, and read the ingredients and allergen information for each flavour. | When I'm comparing flavours, I want to know what's in the bag and whether I need to consider any allergens. For around 20% of consumers, checking the label is the main concern. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming a small bag is a high-protein snack
A measured portion doesn't tell you how much protein it contains. The 40 g portions of Lay's Naturel, Lay's MAX Naturel and Pringles Original listed by Jumbo contain 1.7 to 2.7 g of protein per bag.
Check the grams of protein in the whole bag and compare them with the energy and salt in the same variety.
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Only reading the front of the pack
The wording on the front doesn't show all the nutritional values or ingredients that matter to your choice.
Use the nutritional information and ingredients list to assess the exact flavour, especially if you're also watching your salt intake or checking for allergens.
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Treating every flavour in a multipack as the same
A mixed multipack can contain different snacks and recipes. For example, the Lay's Mega Box listed by Albert Heijn includes several brands and flavours.
Check the information for each individual bag you want to take with you, rather than applying the figures for one flavour to the whole box.
Brands to consider
Lay's
Jumbo lists both Lay's Naturel and Lay's MAX Naturel in 40 g bags, making it possible to compare the contents per whole bag.
- According to Jumbo, a 40 g bag of Naturel contains 2.4 g of protein and 0.44 g of salt; MAX Naturel contains 2.7 g of protein and 0.44 g of salt per 40 g.
- The figures for these plain varieties don't automatically apply to other flavours or to the separate Oven Baked range.
Pringles
Jumbo listed Pringles Original as a multipack of 12 × 40 g bags.
- According to Jumbo, a 40 g portion of Original contains 1.7 g of protein and 0.44 g of salt.
- The Jumbo page in question says this multipack is no longer in its online range. Check current availability; the Original variety included in this comparison lists wheat as an allergen.
Smiths
In the Jumbo product information reviewed, Smiths Sticks Paprika comes in a 100 g pack, not an individual 40 g bag.
- For a 30 g portion of this variety, Jumbo lists 1.9 g of protein and 0.38 g of salt.
- A 100 g pack isn't divided into individual portions in advance. The variety reviewed contains milk and sulphites.
Small bags of crisps at Joybuy
According to their product names, these multipacks contain 40 g bags that you can take with you individually. When shopping with protein in mind, compare the nutritional information and ingredients for the exact flavour on the packaging.
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Lay's Sensations Thai Sweet Chili, 10 × 40 g
A multipack for anyone who wants to take individual bags of crisps with them. Compare the protein, energy and salt per 40 g bag, and check the ingredients for this flavour.
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Pringles Red Pepper, 12 × 40 g
A multipack for anyone who wants to pack an individual portion of Pringles. Check the protein, energy, salt and ingredients per 40 g bag, using the information for Red Pepper rather than Original.
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Pringles Texas BBQ Sauce, 12 × 40 g
A multipack for anyone who wants to take crisps in individual bags. For Texas BBQ Sauce, read the nutritional information and ingredients per 40 g bag rather than using figures for another Pringles flavour.
Frequently asked questions
Does a small bag of crisps provide much protein?
According to Jumbo, the three 40 g portions included in this comparison provide 1.7 g of protein for Pringles Original, 2.4 g for Lay's Naturel and 2.7 g for Lay's MAX Naturel. So a small bag is mainly a way to control your portion; check the protein content of the flavour you're actually buying.
Should I compare crisps per 100 g or per bag?
Use the figures per 100 g to compare packs of different weights, then calculate the amount for the whole bag to assess your own portion. For a 40 g bag, that's 40% of the stated figure per 100 g; also check whether the pack gives nutritional values per portion.
How do I check allergens in a multipack of crisps?
Read the current ingredients and allergen information for each flavour you want to eat. The Pringles Original included in this comparison lists wheat, while Smiths Sticks Paprika lists milk and sulphites; don't assume the same applies to other varieties in a multipack.