People keeping an eye on fat in their lunch-time snack
You want something crunchy with your home-working lunch and are comparing stated fat reductions without giving up potato crisps as your choice of snack.
Who is this guide for?
People who also compare protein content
You’re looking for a crunchy addition, not a meal replacement. Lentil or protein snacks may also be an option if their ingredients and nutritional values suit your needs.
People checking salt and allergens
The nutritional information and ingredients of the specific variety matter too. A lower fat content on its own tells you nothing about the salt content or allergens it contains.
What should you look for when buying?
First decide whether you want potato crisps or are open to other crunchy snacks too. Then compare the nutritional values for the same quantity and consider how much you plan to have with lunch.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who should pay particular attention |
|---|---|---|
| Fat reduction in potato crisps | Fat per 100 g and the comparison product used for the percentage claim; also check whether the crisps are baked or fried. | If you want potato crisps with lunch but are mainly looking for a stated fat reduction, compare oven-baked and classic varieties. This is the main priority for about 33% of consumers. |
| Protein as a selection criterion | Protein, fat and salt per 100 g, as well as the product type and ingredients. | If you want to choose your crunchy addition based on its protein content too, consider lentil or protein snacks. Around 25% of consumers prioritise this. |
| Product type and portion | Whether they’re potato crisps, lentil crisps or corn snacks; also check the pack size and nutritional information per portion. | If the priority for a short lunch break is a suitable variety and portion size, the product type matters more than a single marketing claim. Around 25% of consumers put this first. |
| Salt and ingredients | Salt and energy per 100 g; if you have allergies, check the ingredients and precautionary allergen information on the specific pack. | If you need to avoid certain ingredients or check salt first, you can’t make your decision on fat content alone. This check takes priority for around 17% of consumers. |
Common comparison pitfalls
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Assuming less fat means fewer calories
According to the North Rhine-Westphalia Consumer Advice Centre, a reduction in fat does not automatically mean a proportionally lower energy content.
Compare energy in kcal, fat and salt per 100 g. Then think about how much you actually plan to eat.
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Judging lentil crisps by their main ingredient alone
According to the North Rhine-Westphalia Consumer Advice Centre, the fact that a product contains pulses does not automatically make it better than potato crisps; salt content, in particular, can be relevant.
Check the salt, energy, fat, protein and ingredients for the specific variety rather than assuming you know its nutritional values from the name.
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Reading only the percentage claim on the front
“Less fat” refers to a comparison, not the absolute fat content. For example, Lorenz says Naturals Lightly Salted has 30% less fat than conventional potato crisps, while still containing 23 g of fat and 2.3 g of salt per 100 g.
Check what the product is being compared with, then look at the nutritional information per 100 g.
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Skipping allergen information because you know the brand
Ingredients and precautionary allergen information vary between varieties and may change when a recipe is updated.
If you need to avoid certain ingredients, read the information on the pack of the variety you’re planning to buy.
Brands and retailers to consider
funny-frisch
The brand offers oven-baked potato crisps, as well as lentil and protein crisps. According to funny-frisch, its Oven Chips contain 60% less fat than conventional potato crisps. For certain lentil and protein varieties, the brand claims 40% less fat than the corresponding comparison product.
- You can compare the product types separately by their potato base, ingredients and stated nutritional values.
- Lentil and protein crisps are not classic potato crisps. Check their energy and salt content separately.
Lorenz
Naturals Lightly Salted is a potato crisp variety that Lorenz says contains 30% less fat than conventional potato crisps.
- Lorenz states that this variety contains 23 g of fat and 475 kcal per 100 g.
- According to Lorenz, the variety contains 2.3 g of salt per 100 g. Check the current pack for ingredients and potential allergens.
Chio
Chio offers classic potato crisp varieties such as Red Paprika. If you’re looking for a stated fat reduction, check the labelling for the variety you want rather than relying on the brand name alone.
- Classic potato crisps don’t meet the goal of a stated fat reduction simply because of their product type.
REWE
REWE is a retailer, not a crisp brand. Its product information for Lorenz Naturals Light may help you check the variety name, pack size and manufacturer details.
- The listed variety is described using the manufacturer’s claim, “30% less fat”.
- For your buying decision, rely on the information for the specific pack on offer.
Suitable products at Joybuy
This selection includes oven-baked potato crisps, lentil crisps and protein snacks to enjoy with your home-working lunch. They don’t all belong to the same food category, so compare nutritional values and comparison claims for each variety individually.
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funny-frisch Oven Chips Paprika Smoky BBQ, 115 g
A potato crisp option for anyone who wants to compare oven-baked crisps with traditionally fried crisps for a lunch-time snack.
For this flavour, check the fat, energy and salt values on the pack, along with the comparison product for any fat-reduction claim.
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ahead Protein Flips Paprika, 6 × 50 g
A portioned crunchy snack alternative if you’d prefer corn snacks to potato crisps as a lunchtime addition.
The product name states that the pack contains six 50 g bags. Only assess a fat-reduction claim alongside the type of comparison product specified.
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funny-frisch Lentil Chips Sour Cream & Onion, 90 g
A lentil crisp alternative if you’re considering a different ingredient base alongside potato crisps.
Compare this variety’s nutritional information per 100 g and, if you have allergies, check the ingredients and precautionary allergen information on the pack.
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ahead Crispies Sour Cream Protein Snack
A crunchy protein snack as an alternative if classic potato crisps aren’t your only option.
Before buying, check the protein content on the pack, along with fat, energy and salt per 100 g. If the information is given per portion, check the portion size too.
Frequently asked questions
Do crisps with less fat also have significantly fewer calories?
Not necessarily. According to the North Rhine-Westphalia Consumer Advice Centre, a lower fat content doesn’t automatically mean a proportionally lower energy content. So compare the kcal values for the same quantity, then take your portion size into account.
Can I compare lentil crisps with potato crisps?
Yes, you can compare specific varieties using the nutritional information per 100 g, but they are different types of product. The North Rhine-Westphalia Consumer Advice Centre notes that crisps made from pulses can have a particularly high salt content; the main ingredient alone shouldn’t determine your choice.
What pack information matters if I have allergies?
Check the ingredients list and the allergen and precautionary allergen information for the specific variety. For Lorenz Naturals Light, the manufacturer mentions that the product may contain traces of milk. Check the relevant pack again for other varieties or if the recipe has changed.
Can reduced-fat crisps replace lunch when you’re working from home?
Treat them as a snack or crunchy addition, rather than a complete lunch just because they carry a fat-reduction claim. Portion size, energy, salt and the ingredients of the specific variety are still relevant when choosing an accompaniment.