Guests comparing calories
You want to stick with salted pretzels and find a lower-calorie option among similar products. To do that, compare the kcal per 100 g rather than looking only at the bag size.
Who will find this comparison useful?
Guests keeping an eye on salt
You’re planning a savoury snack but also want to consider its salt content. The figures from Lorenz and EDEKA show that the salt levels vary between the products considered here.
Guests with questions about portions or ingredients
You want to decide on a snack portion in advance, or need to check the ingredients and allergen information. A single pack can help you plan quantities; check the label on the specific pack to see whether a product meets your dietary requirements.
What should you look for when buying?
First, compare calories and salt on the same per-100-g basis. Then decide how much you want to serve and whether the ingredients suit your needs.
| Criterion | What to check | Who is it important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | Compare kcal per 100 g and the planned portion in grams. | If I want the classic pretzel shape, I’ll look for a lower-calorie option among similar snacks. Around 32% of consumers would consider calorie content their most important buying criterion. |
| Salt | Consider the salt per 100 g and the portion you plan to serve. | If there are other salty dishes on the table for the celebrations, the salt content of my snack matters more to me than the lowest calorie count. Around 31% of consumers would put salt comparison first. |
| Portion | Check the grams per individual pack and the number of portions in a multipack. | When snacking with a group, I want to decide how much to serve beforehand rather than eating straight from the bag. Portion planning would be the main priority for around 25% of consumers. |
| Ingredients | Read the ingredients list, highlighted allergens and trace warnings on the pack. | If I need to avoid certain ingredients, my first priority is whether the specific pretzel variety suits my needs. Around 12% of consumers would prioritise this check. |
Common comparison pitfalls
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Assuming ‘gluten-free’ means ‘fewer calories’
REWE lists Schär Salinis gluten-free pretzels at 482 kcal per 100 g. The gluten-free label alone doesn’t mean a product has fewer calories.
If you’re choosing a gluten-free option, also check the nutrition information and ingredients on the specific pack.
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Looking only at the lowest calorie figure
REWE lists Mayka Brezel at 384 kcal and 4.3 g of salt per 100 g; Lorenz gives 395 kcal and 3.5 g of salt per 100 g for Saltletts Brezel. Choosing by calories alone overlooks this difference.
Compare both figures per 100 g and factor in the portion you plan to have.
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Assuming a smaller pack is less calorie-dense
Lorenz also offers mini pretzels in a 40-g pack. The pack size determines the quantity, but doesn’t change the calories per 100 g.
Use the pack size to plan portions and the per-100-g figures to compare products.
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Relying on product information without checking the pack
Lorenz notes that packs with both older and newer recipe labels may be available in shops; EDEKA says the information on its product page may differ from the packaging.
Before buying, check the nutrition and ingredient information on the pack actually being sold.
Brands to consider
Lorenz / Saltletts
The Saltletts range includes classic salted pretzels, other pretzel-shaped snacks and wholegrain sticks.
- Lorenz gives Saltletts Brezel as 395 kcal and 3.5 g of salt per 100 g; its wholegrain sticks contain 392 kcal, 6.0 g of fibre and 3.5 g of salt per 100 g.
- Where packs with different recipe labels are on sale at the same time, the information on the pack you buy is the one to follow.
REWE / ja!
REWE’s ja! own-brand range includes mini pretzels in a 250-g bag.
- REWE gives this variety as 401 kcal, 4.0 g of fat, 4.3 g of fibre and 3.7 g of salt per 100 g.
- This variety contains wheat; according to REWE, it may also contain traces of sesame, milk and soya.
EDEKA / GUT&GÜNSTIG
GUT&GÜNSTIG salted pretzels are described as a 250-g product made with sea salt.
- EDEKA gives the figures as 408 kcal and 4.4 g of salt per 100 g.
- EDEKA notes that the information may differ from what’s on the pack and that the product may not be available at every store.
ALDI SÜD / SUNSNACKS
SUNSNACKS salted pretzels are listed as a 250-g variety made with sea salt.
- ALDI SÜD gives the figures as 397 kcal and 4.51 g of salt per 100 g.
- ALDI SÜD notes that nutritional values may vary between suppliers. So check the information on the pack at your local store.
Mayka
Mayka Brezel is a classic pretzel snack in a 200-g bag.
- REWE lists Mayka Brezel at 384 kcal per 100 g.
- REWE also gives the salt content as 4.3 g per 100 g and lists wheat, barley and soya as ingredients.
Pretzel snacks on Joybuy
If you’d rather serve wholegrain pretzel sticks than pretzels at Oktoberfest, this 175-g pack is one option. To help you decide, compare the calorie and salt information on the pack with that of other snacks.
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Lorenz Saltletts Wholemeal Salt Sticks, 175 g
An option if wholegrain pretzel sticks would suit your Oktoberfest spread and you’re happy to move beyond the classic pretzel shape.
Pack size: 175 g. For a calorie and salt comparison, check the nutrition information on the specific pack.
Frequently asked questions
How do I compare salted pretzels in different-sized bags?
First compare calories and salt per 100 g, then consider how much you actually plan to serve. Lebensmittelverband Deutschland explains nutrition information per 100 g, which provides a common basis for comparing packs of different sizes.
Are gluten-free pretzels automatically the lower-calorie option?
No. REWE lists Schär Salinis gluten-free pretzels at 482 kcal per 100 g. Check the gluten-free label separately to see whether it meets your dietary requirements, and look at the calorie content too.
What should I look for in the ingredients and allergen information?
Read the ingredients list, highlighted allergens and any trace warnings on the specific pack. The varieties considered here have different recipes, so you can’t assume the information for one product applies to other pretzels.
How should I store an opened bag of salted pretzels?
Follow the storage instructions on the pack and reseal an opened bag. The best-before date applies to an unopened pack stored as directed; Lebensmittelverband Deutschland points out that it isn’t an automatic throw-away date.