Who are these formats for?

Households serving a sharing bowl

If several people will be helping themselves from the same bag, estimate how much they’re likely to eat. A large bag is less worthwhile if a lot will be left once it’s opened.

Organisers handing out portions

If you’re giving bags to guests or volunteers at different times, a multipack lets you keep the portions you haven’t handed out sealed.

Runners planning their race-day food

The size of a pack of crisps doesn’t answer the question of what to have as race-day fuel. Before exercise, Sports Dietitians Australia recommends choosing familiar foods that are high in carbohydrates and low in fat.

What should you prioritise?

First decide whether the crisps will be shared from one bowl, handed out in individual portions or chosen for the runner. Each use calls for a different choice.

What matters What to check Who it’s for
Quantity to share The net weight and how much the group will eat once the bag is opened. When everyone is helping themselves from the same bowl, I want to allow for enough crisps without opening an oversized bag. Around 42% of consumers put the quantity to share first.
Portions and ingredients The number of individual bags; and, where needed, the salt per 100 g, ingredients and allergens listed. If I’m handing out crisps at different times or need to take a dietary restriction into account, I want to be able to check each product before serving. Managing portions or ingredients is the priority for around 25% of consumers.
The runner’s food How the product fits into a fuelling strategy already tried in training. When planning what I’ll eat before the race, I don’t want to choose my race-day fuel based on the size of a bag of crisps. Around 33% of consumers prioritise the runner’s food.

Mistakes to avoid

  • Choosing a ‘family size’ without estimating how much will be eaten

    This label doesn’t tell you whether the group will finish the bag once it’s open.

    Compare the net weights and estimate how many people will be sharing.

  • Confusing sharing crisps with pre-race fuel

    Before exercise, Sports Dietitians Australia recommends familiar foods that are high in carbohydrates and low in fat.

    Choose crisps to serve to supporters, and plan the runner’s food around what they’ve already tried in training.

  • Choosing a flavour without checking the label

    Check the ingredients and allergen information for the exact product, rather than relying on the brand or the ‘crisps’ category alone.

    If you have an allergy or dietary restriction, read the packaging of the product you’re going to serve.

  • Assuming ‘no added salt’ tells you how much salt it contains

    This claim doesn’t replace the nutritional information given for the product.

    If salt content matters to you, compare the salt per 100 g on the packaging of similar products.

Brands to compare

Carrefour Classic'

This range includes a 350 g bag of plain crisps sold by Carrefour.

  • The 350 g size could work well for serving in a shared bowl.
  • For a different flavour or if you have a dietary restriction, check the label of the product you choose.

Pom’Lisse

E.Leclerc’s Marque Repère range includes plain crisps in a 350 g bag and individual portions.

  • These formats suit two different ways of serving: sharing and handing out individual bags.
  • Check the total weight of the multipack if you’re comparing it with a large bag.

Vico

Vico offers La Classique plain crisps in a 400 g maxi pack, as well as individual bags sold by Auchan.

  • The 400 g bag is suitable for serving a group if that quantity is right for everyone.
  • Auchan lists 34 g of fat per 100 g for La Classique plain crisps in the maxi pack. Don’t choose this bag as pre-race fuel based on its size alone.

Lay's

Carrefour lists Lay's Nature in a 250 g family-size bag and a 295 g Recette Paysanne Nature bag.

  • The stated weights make it easier to choose how much to open for a group.
  • Check the flavour and packaging details: these are two different varieties.

Pringles

Pringles makes crisps in a tube, including a 175 g Original variety sold by Carrefour.

  • This format suits anyone who prefers crisps in a tube.
  • Don’t treat it as equivalent to a large bag of potato crisps when estimating how much to serve.

Sharing bags on Joybuy

These two LAY'S products are bags to consider if you’re serving crisps to supporters during a marathon day. Choose the quantity according to how many people you need to serve; they’re not a substitute for the runner’s race-day fuel.

LAY'S Country-Style crisps, 295 g bag

LAY'S Country-Style 295 g

This 295 g bag can be opened to serve crisps to several supporters. Check the packaging for allergen information and storage instructions after opening.

View on Joybuy
LAY'S Plain Salted Family Bag crisps, 250 g

LAY'S Plain Salted Family Bag 250 g

This 250 g family-size bag is ideal for serving in a shared bowl. If you have a dietary restriction, check the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging you receive.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Are crisps suitable as food before a marathon?

Don’t choose a bag of crisps to replace your pre-race food. Sports Dietitians Australia recommends familiar foods that are high in carbohydrates and low in fat before exercise. Try your fuelling strategy in training rather than changing it on race day.

A large bag or a multipack for supporters?

A large bag is a good choice if several people will be sharing and you expect to finish it once it’s open. A multipack makes it easier to hand out portions at different times, as the remaining bags can stay sealed.

What should you check on the label if you have an allergy or are watching your salt intake?

Read the ingredients and allergen information for the exact product, then compare the salt per 100 g in its nutritional information. Manger Bouger presents these per-100 g values as a guide for comparing pre-packed products.

What should you do with a large bag once it’s open?

Follow the instructions on the packaging. For Vico La Classique plain crisps in the maxi pack, Auchan recommends storing them in a dry place away from light and eating them soon after opening. If the group won’t finish the bag, consider individual portions that you can open as needed instead.