Crisps aren’t the first choice for a toddler’s everyday snack: the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends foods from the Wheel of Five, such as vegetables, fruit or wholemeal bread. If you do choose crisps as an occasional treat and need to avoid a particular substance, first identify exactly what it is and check the current packaging for ingredients and any warnings about cross-contamination. A brand name, a ‘plain’ flavour or a claim about fat content doesn’t confirm that a product is suitable for that specific exclusion.
If your toddler needs to avoid a particular substance, focus on that specific exclusion. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre and the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority highlight the importance of checking the current ingredient and allergen information on the label. Also look for any warning about cross-contamination.
You’re considering crisps for an occasional treat, not as a regular snack. For everyday snacks, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends options including vegetables, fruit and some wholemeal bread.
You might be looking at plain crisps, oven-baked crisps or a supermarket own-brand option. A short ingredient list or a claim about fat content tells you something different from confirmation that a product is suitable for a specific exclusion.
First decide whether you’re looking for an everyday snack or an occasional treat. If your toddler needs to avoid a particular substance, that specific exclusion takes priority over comparing flavours or nutritional value.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Avoiding a specific substance | Check the current ingredients list and any warning about cross-contamination on the packaging. If gluten needs to be avoided, also check whether the product is labelled gluten-free. | If my toddler has a confirmed exclusion, I want to know whether that specific substance is in this product or mentioned in a cross-contamination warning. Around 42% of consumers prioritise this specific exclusion. |
| Choosing an everyday snack | First consider alternatives to crisps, such as foods from the Wheel of Five that the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends for toddlers. | For an everyday snack, I’m looking for something that fits into my toddler’s daily diet, even if that means not choosing crisps. Around 33% of consumers prioritise this everyday choice. |
| Comparing an occasional treat | Read the ingredients, nutritional information and portion size for each product. Don’t treat a low-fat claim as proof that a product is free from allergens. | For an occasional treat, I want to compare products without confusing a claim about fat with a free-from claim. Around 25% of consumers prioritise this consideration. |
A flavour name or short ingredient list doesn’t confirm that a product is suitable for your toddler’s specific exclusion. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, relevant allergens must be clearly listed as ingredients on the label. Any warning about cross-contamination should also be checked separately.
Identify the substance that needs to be avoided and check the current packaging every time you buy the product, rather than relying on the product name or an online image.
Albert Heijn describes Lay’s Oven Baked Naturel as having 50% less fat than regular potato crisps. This comparison is about fat, not allergens or whether the product is suitable as an everyday snack for a toddler.
Compare nutritional values only for the products you’re actually considering, and check the packaging separately for any specific exclusion.
Symptoms after eating don’t automatically identify a particular ingredient as the cause. If you suspect a food intolerance, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises contacting your GP or child health clinic.
Get advice on what might be causing the problem first, rather than starting an elimination diet yourself based on a suspicion.
Always compare the specific product and its current packaging. The information below doesn’t mean that an entire brand is suitable for a particular exclusion.
Dutch supermarket listings include both plain Lay’s crisps and an oven-baked plain variety.
Jumbo has a plain crisps variety with ingredients listed on its product page.
Pringles’ Dutch product page lists several flavours, including Original, Paprika and Sour Cream & Onion.
Crisps aren’t the first choice for a toddler’s everyday snack. For babies and toddlers, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends snacks from the Wheel of Five, such as fruit, vegetables or some wholemeal bread.
No. A short ingredient list doesn’t confirm that a product is suitable for a specific exclusion. Check the current packaging and look for any warning about cross-contamination.
Check the ingredients in the variety you’ve chosen and see whether the current packaging says it’s gluten-free. Don’t rely on the name ‘potato crisps’ alone: flavours and recipes can vary.
Contact your GP or child health clinic rather than cutting out foods yourself. This is also the Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s advice if you suspect a food intolerance.
No. A comparison of fat content says nothing about the substance you need to avoid. Albert Heijn uses this comparison for Lay’s Oven Baked Naturel versus regular potato crisps. Assess any free-from requirement separately by checking the current packaging.
