When planning a games night with calories in mind, what matters most is not just the energy per 100 g, but how much popcorn each person actually eats. Making popcorn from kernels lets you control the amount of oil, sugar and salt; microwave popcorn takes less preparation, but gives you far less control over the recipe. EDEKA lists 395 and 430 kcal per 100 g for two microwave varieties, but that does not mean these products are low in energy.
If you have time to prepare your snack before games night, making popcorn from kernels lets you decide how much oil, sugar and salt to use. The energy per portion will depend on the recipe and toppings you choose.
Microwave popcorn is quick to prepare for everyone. When comparing sweet and salted bags, look at more than just the energy content: compare the sugar, fat and salt per 100 g too, and follow the preparation instructions for the product.
A claim such as ‘less fat’ on a packet of crisps applies to the stated comparison group. It tells you nothing about popcorn, nor does it reveal the energy content of the crisps on its own.
A good choice if: You want to control the amount of oil, sugar and salt for your games night and can plan ahead for preparation.
Bear in mind: You’ll need a suitable way to prepare it, and any extra ingredients will change the nutritional values of the finished portion.
A good choice if: You want to prepare a snack with little effort and have a suitable microwave.
Bear in mind: The recipe is set for you. EDEKA lists 16 g of sugar per 100 g for its sweet variety and 2.5 g of salt per 100 g for its salted variety.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Energy per portion | Compare the energy per 100 g with the portion size you actually plan to eat. Use recipe values only for the ingredient quantities specified. | I want to plan how much I’ll snack on throughout games night, rather than relying on the information on the front of the pack alone. For around 36% of consumers, energy per portion would be the main consideration. |
| Fat, sugar and salt | Check the nutritional information per 100 g and, for sweet popcorn, the ingredients list too. | When choosing between sweet and salted popcorn, I don’t want to judge the ingredients on calories alone. Around 29% of consumers would put fat, sugar or salt first. |
| Preparing snacks for everyone | Consider whether you have the right appliance, check the packet instructions and make sure there’s enough for everyone playing. | I want to get a snack on the table between rounds without a lengthy preparation. Quick preparation would be the main priority for around 21% of consumers. |
| Other snack categories | Check the product category and nutritional information; only compare fat figures with the specific group stated. | If I’m also considering crisps, I want to know whether their nutritional information fits my snacking goals, rather than mistaking it for information about popcorn. For around 14% of consumers, comparing categories would be the main consideration. |
‘Low energy’ is not a general description for a snack just because you eat a carefully measured portion. The Verbraucherzentrale says that, for solid foods, this claim applies to products with no more than 40 kcal per 100 g. EDEKA lists 395 and 430 kcal per 100 g for its sweet and salted microwave varieties respectively.
Compare the energy content and plan your portion, without describing either variety as low in energy.
The energy content alone won’t tell you how much sugar, fat or salt a variety contains. For example, EDEKA’s sweet variety contains 16 g of sugar per 100 g, while its salted variety contains 2.5 g of salt per 100 g.
Compare the nutritional information per 100 g and decide which differences matter to you.
The ingredients and quantities you use affect the nutritional values of homemade popcorn too. EDEKA’s air fryer recipe uses 120 g of popcorn kernels and 2 tsp of oil for four portions.
Only compare portion figures when they relate to the same recipe, and remember to include any extra toppings.
Lorenz compares the fat content of its Naturals Leicht fein gesalzen with regular crisps; funny-frisch also compares its Protein Chips with other crisps. Neither comparison is about popcorn.
First decide which snack category you want to buy, then check the nutritional information for the specific product.
When it comes to popcorn, the specific product range matters more than the brand name. The examples below include both microwave popcorn and other snack categories.
EDEKA sells sweet and salted microwave popcorn under this own-brand label, with nutritional information provided for each variety.
Naturals Leicht fein gesalzen is a potato crisps product, making it a different snack category from popcorn.
According to funny-frisch, the brand’s Protein Chips are made with ingredients including lentil flour and pea protein; they are not popcorn.
You shouldn’t use this description just because you’re eating a small portion. The Verbraucherzentrale says that, for solid foods, ‘low energy’ means no more than 40 kcal per 100 g. EDEKA’s microwave varieties, at 395 and 430 kcal per 100 g, are above this limit.
Choose based on the nutritional values that matter to you for that particular variety, and on the portion you plan to eat. EDEKA lists 395 kcal and 16 g of sugar per 100 g for its sweet microwave popcorn; its salted variety contains 430 kcal, 21 g of fat and 2.5 g of salt per 100 g.
As a starting point, EDEKA’s air fryer recipe uses 120 g of popcorn kernels and 2 tsp of oil for four portions. EDEKA lists 134 kcal per portion; if you change the quantities or add toppings, that figure will no longer apply as stated.
Yes. Follow the instructions on the packet or inner bag you’ve bought. The cooking time given may depend on the power of your microwave.
Not on the basis of that claim alone: it compares the fat content with the stated reference group, not the energy content with popcorn. If you’re considering crisps instead of popcorn, compare the nutritional information per 100 g for the specific crisps product.