People keeping an eye on fat in their canteen snack
You’d like to snack on popcorn alongside or after lunch and compare products by their fat content. The figure per 100 g is more useful for this than a claim on the front of the pack.
Who might find this choice relevant?
People with access to a microwave or kitchen
You’d like to control the amount of oil and seasoning yourself, and can prepare popcorn kernels before eating. For microwave preparation, Lidl recommends using a suitable container with a lid that allows steam to escape.
People checking ingredients and allergens
You want to know which ingredients and allergen warnings apply to the specific pack before buying. This is especially important if you need to avoid certain ingredients or follow a particular diet.
What should you look for when buying?
First decide whether you can prepare popcorn yourself or need a snack that’s ready to eat. Then compare the figures using the same serving basis.
| Criteria | What to check when buying | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Fat content | Compare fat per 100 g for similar ready-to-eat products. If the pack claims reduced fat, check which comparable product is used as the benchmark. | I mainly want to assess the fat content of my snack, rather than rely on the packaging. This is the main consideration for around 40% of consumers when buying popcorn. |
| Preparing it yourself | Check whether you can prepare popcorn kernels before eating. For microwave preparation, you’ll need a suitable container with a lid and a way for steam to escape. | If I have access to a kitchen or microwave, I want to choose the oil and seasoning myself. This level of control is the main consideration for around 30% of consumers. |
| Salt, sugar and portion size | Check the nutrition information for salt, sugar and energy per 100 g, and think about how much you actually plan to eat. | Alongside lunch, I want to know how sweet or salty my portion will be, even if I choose a lower-fat option. Around 20% of consumers consider this first when making their choice. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Check the ingredients list, declared allergens and any ‘may contain’ warnings on the specific pack. | I need to avoid certain ingredients or want to check whether the pack fits my diet. This check takes priority for around 10% of consumers when buying. |
Common selection mistakes
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Assuming ‘reduced fat’ means low in fat
A reduction is measured against a comparison product; it doesn’t tell you the absolute fat content on its own. For example, Lorenz markets Naturals Leicht fein gesalzen as having 30% less fat than standard crisps. Those crisps still contain 23 g of fat per 100 g. This is an example involving crisps, not popcorn.
When comparing popcorn, also check the fat content per 100 g and see which similar product is used as the benchmark for any reduction claim.
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Looking only at fat in the nutrition table
Salt, sugar and energy can also affect whether a ready-to-eat option is right for the snack you want alongside lunch.
Compare the nutrition figures on the same basis and take into account how much you plan to eat.
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Assuming homemade popcorn is always fat-free
With popcorn kernels, you choose what to add. However, oil or butter will change the fat content of the finished snack.
Choose your additions carefully. When using a microwave, only use a suitable container that allows steam to escape.
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Relying on allergen information from an old product description
Ingredients and warnings can vary depending on the specific recipe. Always check the packaging of the snack you buy.
Before eating, read the ingredients list and check the allergen and ‘may contain’ warnings on the pack.
Brands and alternatives to consider
Lorenz
Lorenz’s Naturals Leicht fein gesalzen is an example for comparison from the crisps category, not the popcorn category.
- Lorenz markets these crisps as having 30% less fat than standard crisps.
- The product is listed as containing 23 g of fat and 2.3 g of salt per 100 g. These figures shouldn’t be treated as nutrition information for popcorn.
funny-frisch
funny-frisch offers puffed snacks and protein-focused alternatives; the products mentioned here aren’t traditional popcorn.
- funny-frisch lists 14 g of fat per 100 g for popchips Red Paprika Style and 15 g of fat per 100 g for Protein Chips Barbecue Style.
- The listed salt content is 1.2 g and 1.9 g per 100 g respectively. If you’re looking for popcorn, don’t assume these snacks are equivalent just because they’re made in a similar way.
Lidl
Lidl describes microwave preparation of popcorn kernels as a way to choose the ingredients yourself.
- Its preparation instructions mention popcorn kernels, seasoning and a microwave-safe container.
- Steam must be able to escape from the container in the microwave. The fat content of the finished portion also depends on how much oil or butter you add.
Suitable products at Joybuy
Suitable products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
What does ‘reduced fat’ mean for popcorn?
A reduced-fat claim describes a difference compared with a similar product; it doesn’t tell you on its own whether the fat content is low. Check the product used for comparison and the fat content per 100 g on the pack.
Does ‘reduced fat’ mean the same as ‘low fat’?
No. A relative reduction in fat doesn’t tell you how much fat the product contains overall. As well as checking the comparison claim, look at the nutrition information per 100 g.
When is homemade popcorn a better fit for your lunch break?
Popcorn kernels are a good option if you have a suitable way to prepare them before eating and want to control the amount of oil and seasoning yourself. For microwave preparation, use a suitable container that allows steam to escape. The ingredients you add will affect the nutritional profile of the finished portion.
What should I check on a pack of popcorn?
Compare fat, sugar, salt and energy per 100 g, and read the ingredients list on the specific pack. If you need to avoid certain ingredients, check the allergen and ‘may contain’ warnings too.