Commuters heading to a workout
If you won’t have access to a microwave on your way to your workout, ready-packaged popcorn is the most practical option. Check that the pack size suits how much you plan to eat on the go.
Who should choose what
Anyone comparing sweet popcorn more closely
Sweet-tasting varieties differ in their recipes. REWE lists 52 g of sugar per 100 g for Chio Sweet Popcorn and 28 g per 100 g for Heimatgut Organic Sweet & Salty Popcorn. Your choice should also take into account how much you’ll eat from the pack.
People planning their workout snacks
You may want to treat popcorn as a small snack rather than base your entire fuelling plan around it. The German Nutrition Society explains that carbohydrate requirements during sport depend, among other things, on body weight and the amount of physical activity.
What to look for when buying
First, decide whether you want popcorn that’s ready to eat without any preparation. Then compare the pack size and nutritional information with the amount you actually plan to have as a snack.
| Criteria | What to check | Who should pay particular attention |
|---|---|---|
| Ready to eat and easy to take with you | Is the popcorn ready to eat, or does it need to go in the microwave or a pan first? Is the pack size right for the snack you have in mind? | If you’re heading straight to your workout, you’ll want to open the pack without needing equipment or waiting around. For around 37% of consumers, this convenience of being able to eat it straight away is a priority. |
| Sugar, fat and salt | Compare the nutritional values per 100 g, then relate them to the amount you plan to eat. Check the ingredients list too, if needed. | When choosing sweet or salty popcorn, you’ll want to know what the recipe contains and how much you’re eating. Around 36% of consumers put these nutritional differences first. |
| Snack size as part of your workout routine | Consider the amount you plan to eat alongside the rest of your food and the duration and intensity of your workout. | Before a longer session, you won’t want a small snack to unknowingly replace the food you’ve planned. This is the top priority for around 27% of consumers. |
Common selection mistakes
-
Assuming ‘organic’ or ‘vegan’ means a particular nutritional profile
These labels don’t tell you how much sugar, fat or salt a recipe contains. REWE lists 17 g of fat and 1.5 g of salt per 100 g for Heimatgut Organic Salty Popcorn; according to REWE, REWE Bio Pumpkin Spice Popcorn contains 28 g of sugar and 21 g of fat per 100 g.
Compare the nutritional information for the specific product per 100 g and for the amount you plan to eat.
-
Planning microwave popcorn for a snack that needs no preparation
It needs to be prepared before you can eat it. When opening Seeberger Salty Microwave Popcorn, hot steam may escape, according to the product information listed by REWE.
If you want a snack you can eat straight away while you’re out, choose ready-to-eat popcorn. Microwave popcorn requires time, an appliance and a suitable place to open the hot bag.
-
Confusing the pack with a single snack portion
A bag may contain several portions: REWE lists four portions in the 120-g pack of Chio Sweet Popcorn. Nutritional values per 100 g also don’t automatically reflect how much you’ll actually eat.
Check the pack size and, where available, the portion information before planning to eat the whole bag as one snack.
-
Treating popcorn as a complete pre-workout meal
The German Nutrition Society explains that carbohydrate requirements during sport depend on body weight and the amount of physical activity. So you can’t work out what to eat for every training session simply by choosing a type of popcorn.
Think of popcorn as a possible small snack, and take the planned exertion into account when deciding what else to eat.
Relevant brands and product ranges
Chio
REWE lists ready-to-eat sweet and sweet-and-salty Chio popcorn varieties in 120-g packs.
- The ready-to-eat format is an option for a snack that needs no preparation.
- REWE lists 52 g of sugar per 100 g for Chio Sweet Popcorn; the sweet-and-salty variety contains 51 g of sugar and 1.8 g of salt per 100 g. So compare the specific variety you’re considering.
Heimatgut
Products listed by REWE include ready-to-eat salty popcorn in a 60-g pack, ready-to-eat sweet-and-salty popcorn in a 90-g pack, and microwave popcorn.
- The ready-to-eat 60-g salty variety comes in a smaller pack that’s easy to take with you.
- REWE lists 17 g of fat and 1.5 g of salt per 100 g for this salty variety; the sweet-and-salty product contains 28 g of sugar per 100 g. Organic or vegan labels don’t replace the need to check the nutritional information.
Seeberger
REWE lists Seeberger microwave popcorn and popcorn kernels for preparation.
- According to the ingredients information listed by REWE, the popcorn kernels contain popcorn maize; you can choose the oil and seasoning yourself when preparing them.
- Both product types need time to prepare. REWE also lists 16 g of fat and 1.8 g of salt per 100 g for the salty microwave popcorn, along with a warning about hot steam when opening the bag.
REWE Bio
REWE stocks a ready-to-eat organic popcorn variety with Pumpkin Spice seasoning in a 90-g pack.
- The ready-to-eat product needs no preparation before eating.
- REWE lists 28 g of sugar, 21 g of fat and 11 g of saturated fat per 100 g for this variety. These values apply to this product, not the brand as a whole.
Sweet popcorn snacks at Joybuy
This selection includes bags of sweet popcorn for anyone looking for a snack to take with them. If you plan to eat it just before your workout, check whether the specific pack is ready to eat and how much you intend to have.
No image available
Cinema Sweet Popcorn 150 g
For anyone who wants to take sweet popcorn along as a snack and decide on the amount in advance.
Check whether the 150-g pack suits how much you plan to eat before your workout, and compare the sugar information on the packaging.
No image available
Chio Toffee Caramel Glazed Popcorn 120 g
An option if you’re considering caramel-flavoured popcorn as a snack to take with you.
Check that the 120-g pack size suits the amount you plan to snack on. If you want to eat it straight away while you’re out, also check the preparation instructions on the pack.
No image available
Werther's Original Caramel Popcorn Classic 140 g
For anyone planning to have caramel popcorn as a snack and wanting to choose their own portion size.
Compare the 140-g pack with the amount you want to eat. If allergens are important to your choice, read the information on the specific packaging before eating.
Frequently asked questions
Ready-to-eat or microwave popcorn: which is best for a straight trip to your workout?
Ready-to-eat popcorn is a better fit if you want to eat without having to prepare it. Microwave popcorn needs an appliance and time; hot steam may also escape when opening the Seeberger microwave popcorn listed by REWE.
Is sweet popcorn always better than salty popcorn before a workout?
No. The flavour alone doesn’t provide a general recommendation. REWE lists 52 g of sugar per 100 g for Chio Sweet Popcorn and 17 g of fat and 1.5 g of salt per 100 g for Heimatgut Organic Salty Popcorn. Check the nutritional information for the variety you’re thinking of buying.
Is a bag of popcorn enough to eat before a long workout?
A bag of popcorn won’t automatically meet your needs for a long or intense session. According to the German Nutrition Society, the amount of carbohydrate you need depends, among other things, on your body weight and the amount of physical activity. Consider the bag as part of your overall food plan.
What should I check if I have a food allergy?
Check the ingredients list and allergen information on the specific popcorn pack. An organic or vegan label is no substitute for this check if you need to avoid particular ingredients or account for possible traces.