Shoppers comparing calories
You want to compare pretzels using the energy values shown per 100 g, then decide how much to have at work. A lower value within this product group doesn’t automatically mean a pretzel is low in calories.
Who might find this comparison useful?
Shoppers keeping an eye on salt
You want to consider not just the kcal in savoury office snacks, but also the amount of salt in your planned portion. That includes salt from other meals throughout the day.
Shoppers considering portions and ingredients
You’re looking for an amount that’s easy to plan for your desk or bag, and, if needed, you check the ingredients, declared allergens and ‘may contain’ information on the pack.
What should you look for when buying?
Start by comparing the nutritional information per 100 g. Then apply it to the amount you’re planning to have during your office break and, where appropriate, check the ingredients on the specific pack.
| Criteria | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Energy | Compare kcal per 100 g across similar pretzels, then decide on your portion size. | When I choose pretzels for the office with calories in mind, I don’t want to confuse pack size with energy content. For around 40% of shoppers, comparing energy values is the main priority. |
| Salt | Check the salt in g per 100 g and calculate the amount for your planned portion. | I have a savoury snack in addition to my other meals, so I want to know how much salt is in my portion. This is the main concern for around 30% of shoppers. |
| Portion and ingredients | Check the pack size, ingredients, allergens and ‘may contain’ information on the specific pack. | I want to plan in advance how much to take for my desk or bag. If I need to avoid certain ingredients, I also check the label. This is the main concern for around 30% of shoppers. |
Common mistakes when comparing
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Fewer kcal doesn’t automatically mean low in calories
According to Lorenz Snacks, ALDI SÜD, REWE and EDEKA, the four pretzel products compared contain between 395 and 408 kcal per 100 g. The difference between their values is 13 kcal per 100 g, which isn’t enough to make a blanket claim about the snack as a whole.
Only describe a lower value in relation to the specific products you’ve compared, and also take into account how much you eat.
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Looking only at kcal
For the products compared, Lorenz Snacks, ALDI SÜD, REWE and EDEKA list salt values ranging from 3.5 to 4.51 g per 100 g. Other foods also contribute to your salt intake for the day.
Check energy and salt side by side, and calculate both values for your planned portion.
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Assuming gluten-free means lower in energy
Schär Salinis sold by REWE are labelled gluten-free and contain 482 kcal per 100 g. Being gluten-free doesn’t mean they have a lower energy value.
If you choose a gluten-free product, compare its nutritional information separately and check the specific pack for any relevant allergens.
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Assuming online information applies to every pack
ALDI SÜD notes that its SUNSNACKS pretzels may vary between suppliers and that nutritional information can differ. EDEKA points out that a product may not be available in every store.
When you buy, check the nutritional information, ingredients and pack size of the product you’re actually taking home.
A guide to brands and own-label products
The information below relates to specific pretzel products from the brands and own-label ranges mentioned, not their entire product ranges.
Lorenz / Saltletts
Classic pretzels and mini pretzels, including, according to Lorenz Snacks, a 40-g on-the-go pack of Mini Brezel.
- Lorenz Snacks lists 395 kcal and 3.5 g of salt per 100 g for Saltletts Brezel.
- Mini Brezel is listed at 401 kcal and also 3.5 g of salt per 100 g: the smaller format doesn’t change the value per 100 g.
EDEKA / GUT&GÜNSTIG
Classic pretzels in a 250-g pack.
- EDEKA lists 408 kcal and 4.4 g of salt per 100 g as reference values for this product.
- Availability may vary between stores; use the specific pack as your reference for nutritional values and ingredients.
ALDI SÜD / SUNSNACKS
Classic pretzels in a 250-g pack.
- ALDI SÜD publishes values of 397 kcal and 4.51 g of salt per 100 g for this product.
- ALDI SÜD notes that it may use different suppliers, so nutritional values can vary.
REWE / ja!
Mini pretzels in a 250-g pack for comparing energy and salt.
- REWE lists 401 kcal and 3.7 g of salt per 100 g for ja! Mini Brezeln.
- Check the information on the specific pack; according to REWE, any Nutri-Score shown in product images may be for illustration purposes only.
Savoury snacks for your office break at Joybuy
These products include pretzels and, as another type of savoury snack, pretzel sticks for a planned office break. If energy or salt is a deciding factor, compare the nutritional information on each pack.
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Jeden Tag pretzels 250 g
If you want to take a specific amount for your office break, you can portion it out from the pack in advance.
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Alnatura organic wholegrain pretzels 125 g
If you’re looking for wholegrain pretzels to take out and about, you can portion some out from this pack for your office break.
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Jeden Tag pretzel sticks 250 g
Pretzel sticks are a different type of savoury bake from pretzels. If you choose them for your office break, check their nutritional information separately from the pretzel comparison.
Frequently asked questions
Are the pretzels compared low in calories?
You shouldn’t describe the four products compared as low in calories across the board. Lorenz Snacks, ALDI SÜD, REWE and EDEKA list them at between 395 and 408 kcal per 100 g; a lower value in this selection only shows the difference between the products.
Should I compare kcal per portion or per 100 g?
Start with kcal per 100 g so you’re comparing products on the same basis, then calculate the value for your planned amount. A 40-g portion of Mini Brezel, listed by Lorenz Snacks at 401 kcal per 100 g, works out at around 160 kcal; remember to take the salt content of that portion into account too.
Is a gluten-free pretzel automatically lower in energy?
No. Gluten-free doesn’t describe the energy content. REWE lists gluten-free Schär Salinis at 482 kcal per 100 g. If you need to avoid certain ingredients, also check the ingredients list and allergen information on the specific pack.
Is the Nutri-Score enough to choose an office snack?
No. The Nutri-Score is no substitute for the nutritional information or ingredients list. According to Verbraucherzentrale, manufacturers use the label voluntarily. For comparing pretzels, the key things to consider are energy and salt per 100 g, as well as your planned portion.