Who are these options for?

Active people on the go

If you take a savoury snack with you for after exercise, check the protein content for the amount you plan to eat, as well as the allergens listed on the packet. Choosing a snack does not, on its own, replace a balanced diet.

Holidaymakers curious about pulses-based crisps

A recipe made with lentil flour might appeal to you for an aperitif. However, its ingredients alone don’t show that it contains as much protein as a product marketed as high in protein.

Fans of classic crisps

If flavour and sharing come first, keep these priorities separate from the nutritional information. A claim that crisps are oven-baked doesn’t, on its own, tell you how much protein they contain.

What should you look for before choosing?

Start with your main priority, then compare the specific packets. For the relevant pre-packed foods, the DGCCRF states that nutritional information per 100 g can be used to compare protein, fat, sugars and salt.

Crisps marketed as high in protein

Worth considering: if the protein content for the portion you’ll eat is your main priority.

Check: this marketing claim doesn’t mean you can skip checking the salt, ingredients and allergens.

Lentil crisps

Worth considering: for an aperitif made with lentil flour, rather than on the assumption that it’s high in protein.

Check: the proportion of lentils doesn’t tell you how many grams of protein the product contains.

Classic crisps

Worth considering: if you’re mainly choosing a flavour to enjoy during your summer holiday.

Check: a claim about cooking method or fat content doesn’t tell you how much protein the crisps contain.

What matters to you What to check Who is it for?
Protein content Compare the protein per 100 g, then work out how much that means for the amount you plan to eat. Check the salt content too. After exercise, I want to know what my snack actually provides, rather than relying on the word ‘protein’. Around 50% of consumers put this verifiable amount at the top of their list.
Ingredients and allergens Read the ingredients list and allergen information on the exact packet, especially if you’ll be sharing the crisps. When sharing an aperitif with a group, I need to choose a recipe that’s suitable for the people eating it. This is the priority for around 30% of consumers.
Flavour and aperitifs Choose a recipe that appeals to you, without assuming that a cooking-method or texture claim tells you how much protein it contains. On holiday, I’m mainly looking for crisps to share and don’t want to confuse a promise of great flavour with nutritional information. Around 20% of consumers prioritise this use.

Common misconceptions to avoid

  • Assuming lentils mean a high protein content

    Vico says its Fine Herbs lentil crisps contain 36% lentil flour. That proportion doesn’t tell you how much protein is in the finished crisps.

    Check the protein per 100 g on the packet before choosing them for this reason.

  • Taking ‘oven-baked’ as a guide to protein content

    Information about cooking method or fat relates to a different aspect of the product. For example, Lay’s presents its Oven Baked Original crisps in terms of their fat content.

    Compare the protein, fat and salt separately for the product you’re considering.

  • Overlooking allergens when sharing crisps

    Vico’s Fine Herbs recipe states that it may contain milk, peanuts, soya and gluten. Don’t assume another flavour has the same ingredients as the packet you’re buying.

    Check its ingredients and allergen information before sharing.

  • Comparing packet sizes alone

    You can’t directly compare different pack sizes using the values per packet alone.

    Start with the values per 100 g, then consider how much you plan to eat.

Brands to consider by recipe

These examples show different product positions. Always check the exact product and flavour before comparing their nutritional information.

GymBeam

GymBeam France sells savoury snacks marketed as high in protein.

  • A range to look at if protein is your top priority.
  • Check the nutritional values, serving size and allergens for your chosen variety before comparing it with other crisps.

Vico

According to Vico, its Fine Herbs lentil crisps contain 36% lentil flour and have a Nutri-Score of B.

  • A pulse-based recipe for an aperitif.
  • The proportion of flour doesn’t determine the protein content. This product may contain milk, peanuts, soya and gluten.

Lay’s

The range includes Oven Baked Original crisps.

  • An option to consider if you’re looking for this style of crisp for an aperitif.
  • Being oven-baked doesn’t mean the crisps are high in protein.

Pringles

The Flame Grilled Steak variety lists specific nutritional values for this particular recipe.

  • Pringles France lists 6,2 g of protein and 0,63 g of salt per 100 g for this product.
  • Check the values on the packet you buy if you’re comparing a different recipe or the formulation has changed.

An option to compare on Joybuy

These bagged buckwheat crisps could be included in a comparison of savoury holiday snacks. Their name alone doesn’t mean they should be classed as high-protein crisps. If protein is your main priority, check the nutritional information on the packet.

BRET’S buckwheat crisps with Guérande sea salt, 120 g

BRET’S Buckwheat Crisps with Guérande Sea Salt, 120 g

Worth considering for a holiday aperitif if you’re looking for a buckwheat recipe. The packet contains 120 g. To see whether it suits your protein needs, check the nutritional values and how much you plan to eat. Read the allergen information before sharing it too.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

How do you compare crisps marketed as high in protein with classic crisps?

First compare the protein per 100 g on the packets, then work out how much that means for the portion you’ll eat. The DGCCRF notes that the nutrition declaration for relevant pre-packed foods also lists energy, fat, sugars and salt, among other things.

Are lentil crisps always high in protein?

No. The presence of lentil flour alone doesn’t tell you how much protein the finished product contains. Vico says its Fine Herbs variety contains 36% lentil flour. Check the grams of protein in its nutrition table to compare it.

What should you check before sharing crisps on holiday?

Read the ingredients and allergen information on the packet you’ll be sharing. For example, Vico’s Fine Herbs variety states that it may contain milk, peanuts, soya and gluten. Check the exact flavour rather than relying on another recipe from the same brand.

Do oven-baked crisps necessarily contain more protein?

No. The words ‘oven-baked’ don’t tell you how much protein the crisps contain. If you’re choosing a snack based on protein, check the value per 100 g and work out how much that means for the amount you plan to eat.