Crisps

We are busy people and often 'snack' to keep ourselves going. Crisps are the world's number one snack! Yet, whilst it is a good idea to eat something every three to four hours (as it starves off hunger pains and stops us bingeing), 'snacking' shouldn't mean eating fatty foods…

The major brands are developing their ranges of low fat crisps to ensure they can offer the same quality as their full fat brothers. See how they compare…

Chargrilled Chicken Flavour Crinkles, Shapers, Boots*

Looked good standing out from the rest, crisp and the right colour! A nice texture and a good taste, chicken and peppery.

	Per Bag (20g)†	Per 100g
CALORIES	96kcal	482kcal
FAT	4.8g	24g

Walkers Lites

Salt and Vinegar Lites, Walkers*

We tasted these crisps alongside the full fat salt and vinegar version (465kcal per 100g against 525 kcal). Without exception the panel chose these crisps as the tastier (remember the panel can't see what brands they are testing). A good texture, crunchy and not dripping in grease like their full fat brother.

	Per Bag (28g)†	Per 100g
CALORIES	130kcal	465kcal
FAT	5.9g	21g

Boots*

Salt and Vinegar Reduced Fat Flavour Crinkles, Boots*

Looked waffly. Melted in the mouth, a crisp and light texture. A mild salt and vinegar flavour, just right.

	Per Bag (35g)†	Per 100g
CALORIES	166kcal	474kcal
FAT	3.9g	11g

Count On Us, M&S*

Lightly Salted Baked Potato Crisps, Count On Us, Marks & Spencer*

These crisps looked a good old-fashioned home made crisp which appealed. The panel agreed they did not taste as good as they looked; not unpleasant but a strong jacket potato flavour which was overpowering after a few.

	Per Bag (25g)†	Per 100g
CALORIES	90kcal	350kcal
FAT	0.6g	2.3g

Golden Lights, Golden Wonder*

Lightly Salted Flavour Golden Lights, Golden Wonder*

Looked the least appealing, a watery, artificial crisp. Very bland and with no real taste.

	Per Bag (21g)†	Per 100g
CALORIES	95kcal	440kcal
FAT	3.9g	18g

Be Good to Yourself, Sainsbury's*

Baked Potato and Butter Flavour Bakes, Be Good to Yourself, Sainsbury's*

Looked unusual! More like snacks than actual crisps. Overpowering butter taste like eating lumps of butter! Very crunchy, as opposed to a nice crisp texture.

	Per ½ Bag (50g)†	Per 100g
CALORIES	176kcal	351kcal
FAT	1.2g	2.3g

†Retailer's Recommended Portion Size

Conclusion

Crisps can still be your favourite snack. Build a packet into your daily calorie quota. Look out for the low fat options. Our panel will tell you you can't go wrong with Boots Shapers and Walkers Lites. We felt the major brands had some way to go in developing the quality and choice of their ranges. Golden Wonder and Sainsbury's on this occasion let us down.

Contact Us	Free Trial	Membership	Newsletter
Privacy	Help	Press Office	Site Map

2008 Edition

Crisps

Chargrilled Chicken Flavour Crinkles, Shapers, Boots*

Per Bag (20g)†

Per 100g

CALORIES

96kcal

482kcal

FAT

4.8g

24g

Salt and Vinegar Lites, Walkers*

Per Bag (28g)†

Per 100g

CALORIES

130kcal

465kcal

FAT

5.9g

21g

Salt and Vinegar Reduced Fat Flavour Crinkles, Boots*

Per Bag (35g)†

Per 100g

CALORIES

166kcal

474kcal

FAT

3.9g

11g

Lightly Salted Baked Potato Crisps, Count On Us, Marks & Spencer*

Per Bag (25g)†

Per 100g

CALORIES

90kcal

350kcal

FAT

0.6g

2.3g

Lightly Salted Flavour Golden Lights, Golden Wonder*

Per Bag (21g)†

Per 100g

CALORIES

95kcal

440kcal

FAT

3.9g

18g

Baked Potato and Butter Flavour Bakes, Be Good to Yourself, Sainsbury's*

Per ½ Bag (50g)†

Per 100g

CALORIES

176kcal

351kcal

FAT

1.2g

2.3g

†Retailer's Recommended Portion Size

Conclusion

Calories in Crisps and Snacks

The Weight Loss Resources' UK food database lists the calories in over 20,000 basic and branded foods and drinks.

Published: 16/03/2007