Who should compare what

Shoppers comparing calorie information

You want to check the energy value per 100 g and for the portion you eat, rather than assuming popcorn is low in calories because of how it looks or because it comes in a small pack.

Shoppers who like to control the ingredients

You want to choose how much oil, sugar or salt to use when making popcorn yourself, and are happy to put in more effort than you would with a microwave bag.

Shoppers stocking up for impromptu occasions

You’re looking for popcorn you can make by following the instructions on the pack. The recipe, pack size and amount you actually eat are all important points to compare.

What to look for when choosing

Make your own popcorn

A good fit if: You want to choose the ingredients and portion size yourself.

Things to consider: You’re in charge of the preparation and quantities, but that doesn’t automatically make homemade popcorn low in energy.

Microwave popcorn

A good fit if: You prefer a pack with clear preparation instructions for an impromptu snack.

Things to consider: The recipe is fixed. The two GUT&GÜNSTIG varieties described by EDEKA differ particularly in their sugar, fat and salt content.

Criteria What to check when buying Who it matters most to
Energy value Compare kcal per 100 g. For the “low energy” claim on solid foods, EU Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 sets a maximum of 40 kcal per 100 g. Also consider the portion you eat. If I’m specifically looking for a low-energy product, a small portion size alone isn’t enough for me. For around 45% of shoppers, low energy density is the most important buying criterion.
Ingredients and nutritional values Check the ingredients list and the fat, sugar and salt content per 100 g. If you’re making it yourself, take account of anything you add. If you want to control the oil, sugar and salt yourself, you’ll need to accept the extra preparation. This takes priority for around 33% of shoppers.
Preparation Check the equipment you’ll need, the pack instructions and the pack size against what you’re looking for. If there’s little time before movie night, I’d rather have clear instructions than prepare a mixture first. Around 22% of shoppers prioritise quick preparation.

Common comparison mistakes

  • Assuming all popcorn is low in calories

    The sweet and salty microwave popcorn varieties described by EDEKA contain 395 and 430 kcal per 100 g respectively. Both are above the 40 kcal per 100 g limit set by EU Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 for the “low energy” claim on solid foods.

    To check whether a product meets this threshold, start by comparing its energy value per 100 g. The portion information can then help you work out how much you actually eat.

  • Choosing based on sweet or salty alone

    In EDEKA’s GUT&GÜNSTIG examples, the sweet variety contains 16 g of sugar per 100 g; for the salty variety, EDEKA lists 21 g of fat and 2.5 g of salt per 100 g. The flavour alone doesn’t tell you how the nutritional values compare.

    Decide which value matters for your choice, then compare the figures on the same per-100-g basis.

  • Taking online information at face value

    EDEKA notes that information on its product pages may differ from what’s on the packaging. When choosing in store, the information on the specific pack is therefore what matters.

    Check the ingredients list, allergen information, nutritional values and best-before date on the pack.

Brands and supermarket options to consider

GUT&GÜNSTIG (EDEKA)

EDEKA describes sweet and salty GUT&GÜNSTIG microwave popcorn, with each pack containing three 100 g bags.

  • EDEKA publishes ingredients, nutritional values and preparation instructions for both varieties.
  • EDEKA lists 395 kcal per 100 g for the sweet variety and 430 kcal per 100 g for the salty one. EDEKA says online information may differ from the packaging, and the products may not be available in every store.

Lidl

Lidl’s homemade popcorn guide can help you choose ingredients and a preparation method. It doesn’t provide nutritional values for a specific ready-made popcorn product.

  • The guide lists popcorn kernels and, depending on the recipe, oil, spices or sweeteners as ingredients.
  • The nutritional values of the finished popcorn depend on the recipe you choose and how much you eat.

funny-frisch

popchips Red Paprika Style is a popped potato snack, not popcorn. It’s only relevant to this comparison if you’re also considering other savoury snacks.

  • funny-frisch lists 452 kcal per 100 g and 135 kcal per 30 g portion for this product.
  • These figures describe neither popcorn nor the nutritional values of a popcorn preparation.

Products to suit you at Joybuy

Suitable products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Is microwave popcorn automatically low in calories?

No. EDEKA lists 430 kcal per 100 g for its salty GUT&GÜNSTIG microwave popcorn and 395 kcal per 100 g for the sweet variety. Both exceed the 40 kcal per 100 g limit set by EU Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 for the “low energy” claim on solid foods. Check other products against the information on their own packaging.

What type of corn do I need to make popcorn?

You need popping corn, also known as pearl corn. EDEKA points out that not every type of maize will pop, so check the product name when you buy it.

What information on the popcorn pack helps me compare products?

Compare the nutritional values per 100 g and read the ingredients list and allergen information. Portion information can also help you assess how much you actually eat, but it doesn’t replace comparing products per 100 g.

Is homemade air fryer popcorn automatically low in energy?

No. EDEKA lists 134 kcal per portion for its air fryer recipe, which serves four and uses 120 g of popping corn and 2 tsp of oil. You can’t apply this recipe figure to different quantities or ingredients, or compare it directly with the per-100-g limit for the “low energy” labelling claim.