Crunchy snack fans who prioritise protein
The stated protein content matters more to you than whether it’s popcorn. Another crunchy snack could also fit the bill, as long as its ingredients and portion size suit your preferences.
Which option might suit you?
Popcorn fans who like to season it themselves
You want popcorn and prefer to control the oil, sugar or salt during preparation. Whether and how you include a separate source of protein is up to you.
Sweet popcorn fans keeping an eye on nutrition
You enjoy caramel popcorn, but want to check its sugar and protein content, as well as the portion size, rather than assuming that the corn means it’s high in protein.
What should you look for when buying?
First decide whether popcorn itself or the amount of protein in your snack matters more to you. Then compare specific products using the same reference amount and the portion you plan to eat.
| Criterion | What to check when buying | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Protein content | Compare protein and energy per 100 g, as well as for the portion you plan to eat. The protein figure alone doesn’t tell you everything about a snack. | If protein matters more to me than whether it’s popcorn, I want to know how much protein is in my portion. Around 36% of consumers put this first. |
| Convenient snack | Check whether the product is ready to eat or needs to be prepared, for example in a microwave or a pan. | After a workout, I want something crunchy without much effort. For around 29% of consumers, this convenience is the priority. |
| Sugar, salt and portion size | Compare sugar, salt, fat and energy per 100 g, and take the amount you plan to eat into account. | With sweet or savoury popcorn, I want to know what I’ll be eating in my portion. This is the main concern for around 21% of consumers. |
| Real popcorn | Choose popping corn if you want to make it yourself, and check that the preparation method is suitable for the equipment you have. | The popcorn itself and choosing my own ingredients matter more to me than finding a snack with the highest possible protein content. Around 14% of consumers put this first. |
Common mistakes when choosing
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Assuming a few grams of protein make a snack protein-focused
Protein alone tells you little about how well a product suits your priorities. EDEKA lists GUT&GÜNSTIG salted microwave popcorn as containing 8.1 g of protein and 430 kcal per 100 g.
Check the protein and energy figures using the same reference amount, then work out how they apply to the portion you plan to eat.
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Choosing sweet popcorn on taste alone
For EDEKA Herzstücke cream caramel popcorn, EDEKA lists 51.7 g of sugar and 2.6 g of protein per 100 g. The product contains milk and lactose; traces of cereals containing gluten may be present.
For sweet varieties, check the latest nutritional and allergen information on the pack, especially if these details are important to your choice.
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Confusing the pack with a portion
EDEKA lists 2.5 g of salt per 100 g for its tested salted microwave popcorn. How much salt is in your portion depends on how much you eat.
Compare products per 100 g and also take the pack size and your planned portion into account.
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Mistaking protein crisps for popcorn
funny-frisch describes its Protein Chips as being made from lentil flour and pea protein. Their ingredients are therefore different from popcorn kernels.
First decide whether you want popcorn or are open to another type of crunchy snack. Then compare the specific nutritional information for each option.
Brands to help you choose
EDEKA GUT&GÜNSTIG
Salted microwave popcorn is a quick-to-prepare option, provided you have a suitable microwave.
- EDEKA lists 8.1 g of protein and 430 kcal per 100 g for this product.
- EDEKA also lists 2.5 g of salt per 100 g. Check the information on the pack of the specific product.
EDEKA Herzstücke
Cream caramel popcorn is a sweet option, with taste and nutritional information best considered separately.
- If you’re looking for caramel popcorn, this is a specific sweet option to consider.
- EDEKA lists 51.7 g of sugar, 2.6 g of protein and 509 kcal per 100 g. The product contains milk and lactose; traces of cereals containing gluten may be present.
funny-frisch
Protein Chips are a crunchy alternative outside the popcorn category.
- According to funny-frisch, they’re made from lentil flour and pea protein and contain 21 g of protein per 100 g.
- The ingredients and product type are different from popcorn. Check the specific pack for other nutritional information.
ALDI SPORTS
ALDI SÜD lists a range of ALDI SPORTS products, including Protein Chips and Whey Protein Balls, which are different types of snack.
- These product types give you options beyond popcorn.
- For a specific product, check its nutritional information, ingredients and availability. This list doesn’t describe a popcorn product.
Lorenz
NicNac's Original are a peanut snack, so they’re a different kind of crunchy snack from popcorn.
- Lorenz lists 15 g of protein per 100 g for NicNac's Original.
- According to Lorenz, the product contains 36 g of fat and 533 kcal per 100 g, with peanuts making up 51% of the ingredients. These figures don’t describe popcorn.
Popcorn and crunchy alternatives
This selection includes two crunchy snacks outside the popcorn category, as well as popping corn to prepare at home. The right option for you depends on whether you care more about having popcorn or the protein content of a specific snack.
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ahead Protein Flips Paprika, 6 × 50 g
An option if you’re open to a crunchy snack that isn’t popcorn. The tray contains six 50 g bags; compare the nutritional information with the portion you plan to eat.
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Frankonia Chocolat Power Motion No Sugar Added White Crisp, 90 g
An option if you fancy a sweet chocolate snack instead of popcorn. The pack contains 90 g; check the latest nutritional, ingredient and allergen information for the portion you plan to eat.
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Seeberger popping corn, 500 g
A good fit if you want to make and season popcorn yourself. The pack contains 500 g of popping corn; follow the preparation instructions and, if you have allergies, check the latest labelling on the pack.
Frequently asked questions
Is regular popcorn automatically a high-protein snack?
No, you can’t tell from the type of product alone. EDEKA lists GUT&GÜNSTIG salted microwave popcorn as containing 8.1 g of protein and 430 kcal per 100 g. Check the nutritional information for each specific popcorn product and consider the portion you plan to eat.
Do I need to eat a protein snack straight after a workout?
You don’t have to choose a protein snack just because it’s immediately after a workout. If you’re planning your protein intake, consider your other meals as well as the protein content of the specific snack.
What should I look for in sweet popcorn?
Compare sugar, protein and energy per 100 g, as well as for the portion you plan to eat. EDEKA lists 51.7 g of sugar and 2.6 g of protein per 100 g for Herzstücke cream caramel popcorn; the product contains milk and lactose.
How can I make popcorn myself?
Use popping corn and choose a preparation method designed for your appliance. EDEKA lists an air fryer as an option that doesn’t require added fat; first check whether your appliance’s instruction manual allows you to make popcorn in it.