Parents keeping an eye on fat content
If you’re looking for a crunchy snack after school or childcare, compare the actual fat content per 100 g rather than relying on the front of the pack.
Who should consider which option?
Families who also check sugar and salt
Popcorn can be an occasional addition to the snack plate. But if you’re choosing a lower-fat option, you’ll also want to know how much sugar or salt it contains.
Households who want to season it themselves
If you have the time and a suitable appliance, you can prepare popcorn kernels yourself and decide how much oil, sugar or salt to add.
What should you look for when buying?
Ready-to-eat popcorn
A good choice if: You want a snack that’s ready to eat straight away. EDEKA lists 4.5 g of fat per 100 g for GUT&GÜNSTIG sweet popcorn.
Bear in mind: According to EDEKA, the same product contains 30 g of sugar per 100 g, so fat content alone shouldn’t determine your choice.
Microwave popcorn
A good choice if: You want to make warm popcorn and are happy to follow the instructions on the specific bag.
Bear in mind: The oil and seasoning are already part of the recipe. REWE lists 13 g of fat and 22 g of sugar per 100 g for REWE Beste Wahl sweet microwave popcorn.
Preparing popcorn kernels yourself
A good choice if: You want to control the amount of oil and seasoning, and have the time and a suitable appliance.
Bear in mind: Preparation needs your attention, and the nutritional values for the kernels won’t necessarily reflect those of the finished popcorn.
For an after-school snack, figures per 100 g make it easier to compare products. Also think about the portion you’ll actually eat and what matters most to you.
| What matters | What to check | Who should consider it? |
|---|---|---|
| Fat content | Compare fat and saturated fat per 100 g; a claim on the front of the pack doesn’t replace the actual figure. | If I’m specifically looking for a lower-fat option, I want to compare different products on the same basis. This comparison is a priority for around 36% of consumers. |
| Sugar and salt | Check the sugar content per 100 g for sweet popcorn and the salt content per 100 g for savoury popcorn; then take the portion into account. | When choosing a sweet or savoury variety, I want to look beyond fat and consider the seasoning too. Around 29% of consumers make this a priority. |
| Seasoning it yourself | Choose popcorn kernels instead of ready-seasoned popcorn, and check that you have a suitable container or appliance. | I want to decide for myself how much oil, sugar or salt to add during preparation. This control is the top priority for around 21% of consumers. |
| Preparation time | For microwave bags, check the wattage and cooking time, as well as the instructions for handling hot steam. | If warm popcorn is on the menu after school, I want to be able to make it without lengthy preparation. This is the main consideration for around 14% of consumers. |
Common comparison mistakes
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Treating ‘less fat’ as the whole story
A fat-content claim on its own tells you nothing about sugar, salt or the portion you eat.
Compare the nutritional information per 100 g, and if a reduction is advertised, check the other figures too.
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Comparing sweet and savoury varieties on fat alone
EDEKA lists 4.5 g of fat and 30 g of sugar per 100 g for GUT&GÜNSTIG sweet popcorn. GUT&GÜNSTIG salted microwave popcorn contains 21 g of fat and 2.5 g of salt per 100 g. These figures are for different products and preparation methods.
Decide which figure matters most to you, but check the sugar or salt content too.
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Assuming a microwave bag contains plain popcorn kernels
The recipe for microwave popcorn is already set. Sweet and Sweet-&-Salty products can also differ considerably in their fat, sugar and salt content.
If you want to season it yourself, choose popcorn kernels. For microwave popcorn, check the ingredients, nutritional information and preparation instructions on the specific pack.
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Not checking the current pack
Product information may differ from older details online if the recipe has changed. The ingredients, allergen information and nutritional values on the pack you’re buying are what matter.
Check these details again if you choose a different variety or pack size.
Brands and product ranges to help you choose
GUT&GÜNSTIG / EDEKA
GUT&GÜNSTIG offers ready-to-eat sweet popcorn and salted microwave popcorn, giving you two different preparation options to consider.
- EDEKA lists 4.5 g of fat and 30 g of sugar per 100 g for its sweet bagged popcorn.
- EDEKA lists 21 g of fat and 2.5 g of salt per 100 g for its salted microwave popcorn. Check the information on the pack you’re buying.
REWE Beste Wahl
The sweet microwave popcorn in this range is an option if you want to prepare warm popcorn.
- REWE lists 13 g of fat and 22 g of sugar per 100 g for its sweet microwave popcorn.
- The product contains palm fat. Follow the instructions on the bag when preparing it, and take care of the hot steam when opening.
Popz
The Sweet-&-Salty variety shows why sugar, fat and salt should be considered separately when choosing microwave popcorn.
- REWE lists 0.7 g of sugar per 100 g for Popz Sweet&Salty.
- For the same product, REWE lists 25 g of fat and 2 g of salt per 100 g. The low sugar figure doesn’t tell you about the other nutritional values.
Lorenz
Lorenz’s Naturals Leicht fein gesalzen is an example of how ‘less fat’ is used on a snack pack. It’s a potato crisp, not popcorn.
- The fat figure per 100 g helps you assess this particular crisp product.
- According to Lorenz, the advertised reduction is compared with standard potato crisps, not popcorn.
funny-frisch
Protein Chips Barbecue Style is another snack with an advertised fat reduction, but it isn’t popcorn.
- The product information can help you compare products within the relevant crisp category.
- These are lentil and corn crisps. Their nutritional values shouldn’t be taken as those of popcorn.
Popcorn kernels at Joybuy
These products are popcorn kernels for you to prepare yourself. If you want to control the oil and seasoning, check the pack information before buying. Nutritional values for the kernels aren’t directly comparable with those of a ready-to-eat, seasoned snack.
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Alnatura organic popcorn kernels, 500 g
Popcorn kernels are a good choice if you want to prepare a fresh snack and choose the seasoning yourself.
The fat content of the finished popcorn also depends on whether you use oil and how much you add. If you have allergies, check the current labelling on the pack.
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Seeberger popcorn kernels
These popcorn kernels are ideal for preparing at home if you want to control the amount of sugar or salt yourself.
Check the pack size before buying. As with other popcorn kernels, the fat content of the finished snack depends on how you prepare it. If you have allergies, always refer to the current labelling on the pack.
Frequently asked questions
Is ‘reduced fat’ enough to help you choose popcorn?
No. A fat-reduction claim doesn’t tell you about sugar, salt or the portion you eat. Compare the actual fat content and the other nutritional information per 100 g. The Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Regional Identity explains that nutrition claims must meet specific conditions.
Which nutritional values should I check for sweet or savoury popcorn?
For both types, start by comparing the figures per 100 g, particularly fat and saturated fat. For sweet popcorn, sugar is also important; for savoury popcorn, check the salt content. Then consider your planned portion to work out how much you’ll actually be eating.
What should I look out for with microwave popcorn?
Follow the wattage, timing and safety instructions on the specific pack. Open the bag carefully, as the bag and escaping steam may be hot after heating.
Does popcorn you prepare yourself automatically contain less fat?
No. With popcorn kernels, you can control how much oil you add, but the fat content of the finished snack depends on the amount you actually use. You’ll also need a suitable appliance or container for preparation, and should follow its instructions.
Which pack details are useful when comparing popcorn?
Check the ingredients list, allergen information and nutritional values. Under the EU labelling rules explained by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Regional Identity, ingredients are generally listed in descending order by weight. This lets you check the composition as well as the figures per 100 g.