Low fat v original: crisps


Updated on 15 January 2013 | 0 Comments

For this low fat v original taste test, we put normal Walkers crisps up against their lower-fat version. Which came out on top?

Crisps: Walkers Lights Simply SaltedWalkers Ready Salted

The difference: the original snack contains 133 calories per packet, and 34% fat (2.6% of which is saturates), whereas the ‘Lights’ version has 113 calories per packet (although the bag is 1g lighter) and 22% fat (2% of which is saturates). Not a mighty difference, and the ingredients are the same for both types – the ‘Lights’ just use less sunflower oil.

The test: six tasters tested the two varieties. They were not told beforehand what the difference between the varieties was, so it was a completely blind test.

The result: original wins, four votes to two. The Lights had ‘no taste at all’, according to one tester, and they ‘looked strange and tasted cheap’. Almost everyone decided that the original crisps had more flavour, although those that prefer their food less salty picked the Lights as their favourite: ‘a more sophisticated flavour’ and ‘not so eye-wateringly salty’ were among the comments.

Conclusion: if you like your food less salty than most, then it’s worth plumping for lighter crisps. After all, it’s exactly the same ingredients; just a small quantity of sunflower oil. 

See all our low fat v original taste tests

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