Choose a large bag of crisps for sharing well before your training session, rather than as a large portion just before you start. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against large portions and high-fat foods shortly before exercise. When choosing, consider the timing and how you’ll divide the bag first, then check the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information.
Who is this choice for?
People training soon
If you want something to eat shortly before your training session, the first question is whether crisps are a good choice at that time. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against large portions and high-fat foods shortly before exercise.
Groups who want to snack together earlier
For a shared snack well before training, the pack size and whether you can divide it into portions in advance are what matter.
Shoppers comparing labels
If you’re checking ingredients, allergens or nutritional information, make sure you check the flavour and pack you’ve chosen. These details can vary between products.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, decide when the group will be eating. Then compare how much there is to share, along with the ingredients and nutritional information for the product you’ve chosen.
| What to consider |
What to check before buying |
Who it matters to |
| Timing and portion size |
Check how soon after snack time the training session starts, and avoid one large bag becoming a large portion for one person. |
If I’m training soon, I don’t want to eat lots of crisps just beforehand and feel uncomfortable during exercise. For around 50% of shoppers, timing and portion size are the most important factors. |
| How easy it is to share |
Compare the net weight and the stated number of portions; divide the contents in advance if needed. |
For our group snack, I want to know whether everyone can have some from the same pack without relying on sharing the whole bag. Around 30% of shoppers prioritise how easy a product is to share and portion control. |
| Label |
Read the ingredients and allergen information for the exact product, and compare fat and salt per 100 g or per intended portion. |
When I share crisps with others, I want to be able to check the ingredients and nutritional information. This is the most important consideration for around 20% of shoppers. |
Common mistakes
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Thinking of the whole sharing bag as one portion for one person
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, large portions and high-fat foods can stay in your stomach for a long time and cause discomfort if eaten shortly before exercise.
First, check when your training session starts. If it’s soon, don’t have a large portion of crisps; for an earlier group snack, you can divide the bag in advance.
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Choosing based on the flavour name alone
Ingredients and allergens vary between products. For example, Pringles Original lists wheat and may contain milk and soya; Smiths Nibb-it Sticks lists milk and soya.
Read the ingredients list and allergen information on the exact pack before buying or sharing crisps.
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Assuming lower-fat crisps are suitable just before exercise
Comparing fat content doesn’t remove the need to consider the timing and portion size.
Use the nutritional information to compare different crisps, but separately decide whether you’ll be eating them far enough ahead of your training session.
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Relying on out-of-date product information
The ingredients in the pack you buy are what matter, especially if someone needs to avoid an allergen. According to Lidl Netherlands, a full list of ingredients and nutritional information isn’t always available online for Lidl food products.
Check the current pack in store if the ingredients, allergens or nutritional information matter to your choice.
Brands to compare
Lay's
The range includes plain crisps, ridged crisps and Oven Baked varieties.
- For its 300 g Lay's Naturel value pack, Albert Heijn lists ten 30 g portions, giving you a clear guide for dividing the contents.
- A stated portion size doesn’t make the whole bag a suitable portion just before a training session.
Pringles
Stacked crisps in tubes; Pringles Netherlands lists Original in 40 g, 70 g and 165 g sizes.
- The different tube sizes give you a choice of how much to buy.
- Pringles Original lists wheat flour and may contain milk and soya. If you have an allergy, check the exact product.
Smiths
Smiths Nibb-it Sticks are savoury snacks; the pack listed by Albert Heijn contains 110 g.
- The pack size makes it easy to compare with larger sharing bags.
- These Nibb-it Sticks list milk and soya, and at 110 g they don’t make up a large sharing bag.
Albert Heijn
The own-brand range includes AH Chips naturel in a 250 g bag.
- Albert Heijn lists a 25 g serving size for this product.
- Also compare the nutritional information on the bag you choose; the amount available to share doesn’t, by itself, tell you when it’s best to eat it.
Jumbo
Jumbo’s range includes 250 g Chips Naturel and 335 g Ribbelchips Naturel.
- The different pack sizes help you choose a bag to suit the size of your group.
- Check the ingredients and nutritional information for each product; the pack size alone doesn’t tell you what’s in it.
Lidl Snack Day
Lidl lists Snack Day Ribbelchips naturel, 250 g, as a product sold in store.
- The stated pack size gives you a clear point of comparison for a shared snack.
- According to Lidl Netherlands, a full online list of ingredients, allergens and nutritional information isn’t available for food products. Check the pack in store if these details matter to you.
Products for sharing at snack time
These Joybuy products include a bag of crisps and several multipacks that are easy to share. Choose based on the number of people and when you’ll be eating: individual packs and a large bag aren’t the same, and neither is intended as a large portion just before training.
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Croky Sharing Mix 180 g
A mix of crisps for sharing well before your training session; the pack contains 180 g. Decide how to divide it based on the size of your group, and check the label on your chosen pack if you have any allergies.
View at Joybuy
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Pringles Red Pepper, 12 × 40 g
For a group who’d rather hand out individual tubes than open one large bag. The multipack contains 12 tubes of 40 g; check the packaging if allergens are a concern.
View at Joybuy
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Lay's Cheetos Doritos Mega Box, 20 pieces
A mixed multipack for anyone who wants to hand out a variety of snacks, rather than share one large bag of crisps. The box contains 20 pieces; check the pack to see which types and quantities it includes if the mix or how it’s divided matters to you.
View at Joybuy
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Lay's Oven Baked Mediterranean Herbs 150 g
A 150 g bag for a smaller shared snack. If you want to compare the nutritional information for oven-baked crisps, check the details for this exact flavour per 100 g and per intended portion alongside other varieties; when you eat them is a separate consideration.
View at Joybuy
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Lay's Family Box, 15 pieces
A box of 15 pieces for a group who’d rather hand out individual snacks than share one bag of crisps. Check the quantity, ingredients and allergens on each pack if they matter to anyone in the group.
View at Joybuy
Frequently asked questions
Is a large bag of crisps a good choice just before my training session?
A large portion of crisps just before training isn’t ideal. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against large portions shortly before exercise and recommends avoiding high-fat foods where possible, as they can stay in your stomach for a long time. Save a sharing bag for an earlier group snack instead.
How can I divide a large bag of crisps between a group?
Check the stated portion size and divide the contents in advance. Albert Heijn lists ten 30 g portions for its 300 g Lay's Naturel value pack. This gives you a guide for sharing, but it doesn’t prescribe how much each person should eat.
Where can I check which allergens are in crisps?
Read the ingredients and allergen information on the pack for the exact product. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, food labels must list 14 allergens; if you’re sharing a bag, don’t rely on the flavour name alone.
Can I check the ingredients in Lidl Snack Day products online?
According to Lidl Netherlands, a full online list of ingredients, allergens and nutritional information isn’t available for Lidl food products. If you’re buying a Snack Day product in store, read the label on the variant you’ve chosen, especially if an allergen or ingredient will affect your choice.