Who is this advice for?

Post-workout snackers keeping an eye on fat

If you want to stick to a specific fat limit when snacking, compare the fat content per 100 g rather than relying on the impression given by the packaging.

Endurance exercisers keeping an eye on carbohydrates

After longer or more intense exercise, the amount of carbohydrate may play a part in your snack choice. According to the German Nutrition Society, your needs depend on factors including your body weight, training volume, and the duration and intensity of your exercise.

Strength trainers keeping an eye on protein

If you want to include popcorn in a post-workout meal, you can check its protein content and take the rest of your diet into account. The Verbraucherzentrale points out that you can also meet your protein needs with everyday foods that are high in protein.

What should you look for when buying?

Start by checking the fat per 100 g, then compare the other nutritional values with the portion you actually plan to eat.

Criteria What to check when buying Who it matters to
Fat content Check the fat per 100 g; for solid foods, the Verbraucherzentrale says a product must contain no more than 3 g per 100 g to be labelled ‘low fat’. If I want something crunchy after a workout and need to stick to a clear fat limit, the exact figure is what matters to me. Around 43% of consumers would put this fat limit first.
Carbohydrates Compare carbohydrates and sugar per 100 g, as well as the portion you eat. After longer or more intense exercise, I want to judge the role the snack plays alongside my other meals. For around 29% of consumers, carbohydrates would be the main priority.
Protein Check the protein per 100 g and per portion eaten, and consider what else is in the rest of your meal. If I’m also thinking about protein after a workout, I don’t want to treat popcorn as a complete meal just because of a marketing claim. Around 28% of consumers would be most concerned with finding a suitable accompaniment.

Which mistakes can you avoid?

  • Assuming ‘reduced fat’ means ‘low fat’

    A reduced-fat claim compares a product with another product or recipe; it doesn’t tell you the product’s absolute fat content. For solid foods, the Verbraucherzentrale says a product must contain no more than 3 g of fat per 100 g to be labelled ‘low fat’.

    If sticking to a specific fat limit matters to you, check the figure per 100 g on the product itself, then look at the sugar, salt and ingredients too.

  • Planning popcorn as a complete post-workout meal

    Carbohydrates can be relevant after exercise. According to the German Nutrition Society, your needs depend on factors including the amount, duration and intensity of your activity. Popcorn alone won’t automatically provide everything you need from the rest of your meal.

    Think of popcorn as one possible part of a snack, then decide what else you’d like to eat with it based on your overall diet.

  • Choosing based only on whether it’s sweet or salty

    Nutritional values vary from one recipe to another. REWE lists 13 g of fat and 22 g of sugar per 100 g for REWE Beste Wahl sweet microwave popcorn. For Heimatgut organic salted popcorn, REWE lists 17 g of fat and 1.5 g of salt per 100 g.

    Compare the full nutritional information per 100 g and the ingredients for the variety you’re thinking of buying.

A brand to consider

REWE Beste Wahl

REWE Beste Wahl sweet microwave popcorn shows why it’s worth checking the nutritional information for the specific variety you’re considering.

  • For REWE Beste Wahl sweet microwave popcorn, REWE lists, per 100 g, 13 g of fat, 63 g of carbohydrates, 22 g of sugar and 7.5 g of protein, among other values.
  • At 13 g of fat per 100 g, this variety is above the limit of no more than 3 g per 100 g that the Verbraucherzentrale sets for solid foods to be labelled ‘low fat’.

Popcorn on Joybuy

Suitable products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

What does ‘low fat’ mean for packaged popcorn?

For solid foods, the Verbraucherzentrale says a product must contain no more than 3 g of fat per 100 g to be labelled ‘low fat’. Also compare the sugar, salt and ingredients for the specific variety.

Is sweet microwave popcorn automatically a good choice after a workout?

No, the flavour alone doesn’t tell you that. For REWE Beste Wahl sweet microwave popcorn, REWE lists 63 g of carbohydrates, as well as 13 g of fat and 22 g of sugar per 100 g. So take your portion and the rest of your meal into account when deciding.

Do I need a specialist protein product to have with popcorn?

A specialist protein product isn’t automatically necessary. According to the Verbraucherzentrale, you can meet your protein needs with everyday foods that are high in protein. Whether you want to add something to your meal depends on your overall diet.

What should I bear in mind when preparing microwave popcorn?

Follow the instructions on the packet. Take care when handling and opening the hot bag, and turn the opening away from you to avoid the steam.