Hosts keeping an eye on energy values
If you’re putting out several snacks for a Christmas party, kcal per 100 g can help you compare specific varieties. The amount you plan to serve is also important when deciding how much to put out.
Who is this comparison useful for?
Guests choosing their snacks mindfully
If you’re choosing between classic crisps and alternatives, check the energy and salt values as well as fat or protein. A claim about reduced fat alone doesn’t answer the question of calories, as Verbraucherzentrale NRW explains.
Guests checking ingredients or allergens
If your choices need to suit particular diets or allergies, read the ingredients list and allergen information on the specific pack. Similar types of snack can have different ingredients.
What should you look for when buying?
For your Christmas party, start by comparing the energy per 100 g of the varieties you’re actually considering. Then decide which portion sizes and ingredients are right for your guests.
| Criterion | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Energy and portions | Compare kcal per 100 g on the nutrition information and plan how much you’ll actually serve. | When I’m choosing crisps for the buffet, I want to see how their energy content compares with a specific classic variety and fill the bowl accordingly. Around 50% of consumers prioritise this comparison. |
| Choice for the buffet | Check the type of snack, flavour and pack size; a claim about reduced fat or protein doesn’t replace comparing energy values. | When putting together a varied selection of snacks, I want to know whether I’m serving classic potato crisps, oven-baked crisps or another type of snack. Around 30% of consumers prioritise this choice. |
| Ingredients and salt | Check the ingredients, allergen information and salt per 100 g on the current pack. | If guests need to avoid certain ingredients, I want to choose a suitable variety rather than assume what it contains from its name. For around 20% of consumers, this check comes first. |
Common misconceptions
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Less fat automatically means fewer calories
Verbraucherzentrale NRW points out that a lower fat content doesn’t necessarily mean a corresponding reduction in energy.
For the specific varieties you’re comparing, check energy, fat and salt per 100 g.
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Lower-energy crisps are “low calorie”
Under the EU regulation on nutrition claims, solid foods can only be described as “low calorie” if they contain no more than 40 kcal per 100 g. A variety can contain less energy than other crisps without meeting this requirement.
When making a comparison, name the specific varieties and their kcal values rather than using a relative difference to call a product “low calorie”.
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One type of snack will automatically suit every guest
When you’re catering for a mixed group, ingredients and allergen information can matter just as much as nutritional values. You can’t tell whether a snack is suitable for an individual guest just from a name such as “protein crisps” or “oven-baked crisps”.
Check the labelling on every variety you buy before serving, and keep the packs handy in case anyone has questions.
Relevant brands and retailers
funny-frisch
The range includes oven-baked crisps and popped snacks, offering different options to compare.
- funny-frisch lists 405 kcal and 9.2 g of fat per 100 g for Ofen Chips Paprika, and 447 kcal and 13 g of fat per 100 g for popchips BBQ Style.
- Don’t assume the figures for Ofen Chips Paprika also apply to other varieties with different names, even if they’re paprika-flavoured.
Chio
Chips Ready Salted is used here as a specific classic potato crisp variety for comparison.
- Chio lists 539 kcal and 34 g of fat per 100 g for Chips Ready Salted.
- This value applies to this variety, not every product from the brand.
Lorenz
Crunchips Cheese & Onion is another specific classic variety for comparison.
- Lorenz lists 538 kcal and 34 g of fat per 100 g for Crunchips Cheese & Onion.
- The ingredients on this variety’s label are especially important for guests who need to avoid milk ingredients.
REWE
The retailer stocks different types of crisps and may be an option when putting together a mixed selection.
- The REWE range includes classic crisps and oven-baked crisps, among other snacks.
- Check what’s available where you shop, as well as the nutritional information for the specific variety you choose.
Products on Joybuy
This selection includes an oven-baked crisp variety, protein flips and potato sticks to suit different snacking preferences at your Christmas party. Compare the nutritional information on each specifically named pack; these snacks aren’t interchangeable versions of the same type of crisp.
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Funny-Frisch Ofen Chips Paprika Smoky BBQ, 115 g
A variety of oven-baked crisps for the buffet; the pack contains 115 g. For an accurate energy comparison, check the nutritional information for this exact Smoky BBQ variety, not a differently named paprika variety.
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ahead Protein Flips Paprika, tray of 6 × 50 g
Individually packed flips to complement your selection of crisps; the tray contains six 50 g packs. Flips aren’t classic potato crisps, so it’s worth checking their ingredients and nutritional information separately.
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Haitai Baked Potato Stick, 27 g
A small pack of potato sticks to serve alongside your classic crisps; the pack weighs 27 g. Compare the nutritional information for this product directly with the crisp varieties you’re also planning to serve.
Frequently asked questions
Can I describe lower-energy crisps as “low calorie”?
Not simply because they compare favourably with classic crisps. Under the EU regulation on nutrition claims, solid foods can only be described as “low calorie” if they contain no more than 40 kcal per 100 g. For a relative comparison, name the specific varieties and their energy values instead.
Do less fat or more protein also mean fewer calories?
No, you can’t determine the energy content from these figures alone. Verbraucherzentrale NRW specifically points out that less fat doesn’t automatically mean a corresponding reduction in calories, so compare the energy per 100 g.
How should I plan crisp portions for a Christmas party?
You could start by putting smaller amounts in bowls and topping them up as needed. A portion size on the pack can help you work out the energy content, but it isn’t a recommendation tailored to individual guests.
What should I check for guests with allergies or specific ingredient requirements?
Read the ingredients list and allergen information on each specific pack before serving the snacks. The brand name or descriptions such as oven-baked crisps, flips or classic crisps are no substitute for checking the label.