Who is this decision relevant to?

Parents looking for a pretzel for their baby

If the pretzel is intended as a first food, check for added salt before looking at its protein content. The Healthy Start network recommends avoiding added salt in foods for infants.

Families choosing separate snacks for babies and adults

An adult can choose a pretzel as their own snack while the baby has a suitable first food. If your baby is eating only finger foods, the Healthy Start network recommends seeking individual advice from your paediatric practice.

Shoppers comparing protein claims

If you choose pretzels for adults based on their protein content, you should also consider salt, ingredients and portion size. Protein per 100 g alone is not enough to assess a ‘high protein’ claim.

What should you look for when buying pretzels?

If the pretzel is for a baby, check first that it is suitable as a first food. For a separate adult snack, you can then compare the nutritional information and ingredients.

What matters What to check when buying Who it matters to
Salt in the pretzel Check the ingredients list for added salt or a salt preparation, and the nutritional information for salt content. If I’m looking for a pretzel for my baby, I want to avoid added salt. This is the top concern for around 40% of shoppers.
Age-appropriate first foods Check that your baby is ready for solid foods; if they are eating only finger foods, plan for the individual advice recommended by the Healthy Start network. A single snack shouldn’t replace a suitable range of first foods for my baby. Around 30% of shoppers prioritise this.
Keeping snacks separate Decide who the pretzel is for; don’t plan to use an adult snack as a first food for your baby as well. I’m looking for something to eat after exercise, but I don’t want to share it with the baby. Around 20% of shoppers prioritise keeping snacks separate.
Protein content Read the protein per 100 g alongside the rest of the nutritional information; don’t infer a ‘high protein’ claim from the protein figure alone. When choosing an adult snack, I want to understand what the protein claim actually means. This is the main concern for around 10% of shoppers.

Common misconceptions when buying pretzels

  • Assuming protein per 100 g means it’s suitable as a first food

    A pretzel’s protein content doesn’t tell you whether it is suitable for a baby who is starting solid foods. The Healthy Start network also points out that, when a baby eats only finger foods, their nutrient intake depends on the overall range of foods offered and what they choose to eat.

    For your baby, check readiness for solid foods and the ingredients first. If their diet is to consist entirely of finger foods, ask your paediatric practice for individual advice.

  • Overlooking salt in the dough or in a separate sachet

    Salt isn’t always just the visible topping. EDEKA describes its GUT&GÜNSTIG bake-at-home pretzels as coming with a separate salt sachet; the product’s ingredients are also relevant to your decision.

    Read the ingredients list and salt information for the specific product before considering a pretzel as a first food. Don’t choose a pretzel with added salt as a baby-led weaning snack.

  • Inferring ‘high protein’ from a single protein figure

    The protein figure per 100 g alone doesn’t prove that a pretzel can be marketed with a ‘high protein’ claim. In any case, such a claim would not show that it is suitable as a first food.

    Assess a protein claim using the full nutritional information, and check the salt content and intended use separately.

  • Assuming allergen information is the same for all pretzels

    The products listed have different ingredients and precautionary ‘may contain’ statements. Ditsch lists wheat and barley for its pretzel; REWE Bio spelt pretzels contain spelt, a type of wheat.

    If you have allergies or intolerances, carefully check the information on the specific pack or in-store bakery product you intend to buy.

Pretzel brands to consider

The information below refers to specific pretzel products, not each brand’s entire range. For a pretzel intended as a first food, added salt remains the key reason to rule it out.

Ditsch

Ditsch describes a ready-baked pretzel with a salt topping.

  • According to Ditsch, its pretzel contains 8.5 g of protein per 100 g.
  • Ditsch states that it contains 2.02 g of salt per 100 g. As it has a salt topping, this pretzel is not a suitable choice as a first food for an infant.

EDEKA / GUT&GÜNSTIG

EDEKA sells crunchy salted pretzels and also describes bake-at-home pretzels supplied with pretzel salt.

  • EDEKA lists 12.2 g of protein per 100 g for its salted pretzels.
  • According to EDEKA, those same salted pretzels contain 4.4 g of salt per 100 g. For the bake-at-home product, you should also check the ingredients and the separate salt sachet.

REWE Bio

REWE describes organic spelt pretzels with salt; spelt is a type of wheat.

  • REWE lists 14 g of protein per 100 g for these pretzels.
  • According to REWE, they also contain 3.7 g of salt per 100 g. Their protein content neither makes them suitable as a first food for babies nor, on its own, substantiates a ‘high protein’ claim.

Joybuy products on this topic

Relevant products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions about pretzels and first foods

Are regular salted or pretzel-shaped rolls suitable for baby-led weaning?

Pretzels with added salt are not a suitable first food for a baby. The Healthy Start network recommends avoiding added salt in foods for infants; the pretzels described from Ditsch, EDEKA and REWE all contain salt.

When can my baby start eating solid foods?

According to the Healthy Start network, first foods should be introduced no earlier than the beginning of the fifth month and no later than the beginning of the seventh month. Your baby’s individual development also matters. They should, among other things, be able to hold their head up, sit upright with support and bring food to their mouth.

What should I consider if my baby eats only finger foods?

If your baby eats only finger foods, the Healthy Start network recommends seeking individual advice from a paediatrician. Finger foods and purées can also be combined.

Does a high protein content per 100 g prove that a pretzel is ‘high protein’?

No. The protein figure per 100 g alone isn’t enough to make that assessment. For an adult snack, compare the full nutritional information and assess the salt content separately from any protein claim.

Which allergen information should I check on pretzels?

Check the ingredients and precautionary ‘may contain’ statements for the specific product. The pretzels described from Ditsch, EDEKA and REWE list wheat, spelt or other gluten-containing cereals; other information may vary by product.