Ready-to-eat popcorn is the more convenient choice for a lunch break in the canteen if you can’t use a microwave. To make a calorie-conscious choice, compare similar popcorn products per 100 g, then consider how much you’ll actually eat. With microwave popcorn, you’ll also need to check whether you’re allowed to prepare it on site and take care when handling the hot bag.
If you’re planning to have popcorn as a lunchtime snack, the energy per 100 g and the amount you actually eat matter more than how light and airy it looks. Sugar, fat and salt can help you compare similar products more closely.
Ready-to-eat popcorn can be enjoyed without heating. A microwave bag is only an option if there’s a suitable appliance available and you’re allowed to use it on site.
If organic ingredients, a vegan recipe or particular ingredients matter to you, check the information on the specific pack. Allergen warnings, including possible traces, may also be relevant; a vegan label doesn’t replace these checks.
First, decide whether you need to eat your popcorn in the canteen without preparing it. Then compare the nutritional information for similar popcorn products and consider how much you’re likely to have during your break.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Energy and portion size | Compare the kcal per 100 g of similar popcorn products, then take the pack size and the amount you’ll eat into account. | If I only want to eat part of the bag, the portion size helps me work out how my snack fits in. For around 36% of consumers, comparing energy and portions is the main priority. |
| Preparation | Choose a ready-to-eat pack or a microwave bag; if you choose microwave popcorn, check whether you can use a microwave on site. | If I can’t use a microwave, I need popcorn I can open and eat straight away during my lunch break. Being ready to eat immediately is the most important factor for around 29% of consumers. |
| Sugar and salt | Compare ‘of which sugars’ and salt per 100 g, and per portion if needed. | With sweet popcorn, I want to know the sugar content; with a salty variety, I also want to check the salt content. Around 21% of consumers prioritise sugar or salt when making their choice. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients list, highlighted allergens and any ‘may contain’ warnings on the pack you buy. | If I want to avoid certain ingredients or choose a particular recipe, the flavour description alone isn’t enough. This check is a priority for around 14% of consumers. |
A product’s appearance tells you little about its energy content per 100 g. Heimatgut lists 409 kcal per 100 g for its salty microwave popcorn; REWE gives 442 kcal per 100 g for Heimatgut’s ready-to-eat salty popcorn.
Compare similar popcorn products using their nutritional information and take the amount you eat into account, rather than judging the energy content by appearance.
Chio lists 124 kcal and 16 g of sugar for a 30 g portion of its ready-to-eat sweet popcorn. Eating a larger amount will increase the quantities you consume accordingly.
Check the pack size and decide before you start eating how much you’re planning to have during your break.
Microwave popcorn isn’t ready to eat straight away. The bag and its contents may be hot after preparation, as REWE warns for its microwave popcorn.
Before buying, check whether you’re allowed to use a suitable microwave. If not, choose ready-to-eat popcorn or prepare it at home in advance.
Neither label tells you the sugar and salt content or whether the product may contain traces of allergens. Heimatgut warns that its salty microwave popcorn may contain traces of milk.
Check the ingredients list and allergen and ‘may contain’ information on the specific pack.
Chio offers both ready-to-eat sweet popcorn and sweet microwave popcorn. For the canteen, the main difference is whether preparation is required.
Heimatgut offers salty popcorn both ready to eat and for the microwave. The nutritional information applies to each specific product, not to the brand as a whole.
Seeberger sells salty microwave popcorn. It’s only suitable for a lunch break if you’re allowed to prepare it on site.
Davert offers organic popcorn kernels for you to prepare yourself. They’re better suited to making popcorn at home than eating straight away in the canteen.
Popcorn’s light, airy texture doesn’t automatically make it low in calories. Compare the energy content per 100 g of similar popcorn products, and also consider how much you plan to eat.
The two figures answer different questions: the per-100 g value lets you compare similar products, while the portion size helps you work out what you’re actually eating. The consumer advice centre also recommends comparing a Nutri-Score, if provided, only within the same product group or between products with a similar intended use.
Yes, if you’re allowed to use a suitable microwave on site and have time to prepare it. Follow the instructions on the bag and open it carefully, as the bag, contents and steam may be hot.
No, a vegan label doesn’t replace checking the specific packaging. The Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety explains how key allergens are labelled in the ingredients list; you should also check for any ‘may contain’ warnings. For example, Heimatgut warns that its salty microwave popcorn may contain traces of milk.