When choosing popcorn for a calorie-conscious student night in, it’s not the word ‘popcorn’ that matters, but the nutritional information per 100 g and how much you plan to eat. Ready-to-eat popcorn saves you the preparation, while microwave popcorn needs a suitable appliance. With loose popcorn kernels, you can choose your own toppings, but you’ll also need to consider how much you use and the time it takes to prepare.
You compare the energy per 100 g and think about how much popcorn you’ll actually eat in one evening. With sweet varieties, it’s also worth checking the sugar and fat content: the values listed by REWE and EDEKA24 for the products featured here vary according to the recipe.
If you want to snack straight away, ready-to-eat popcorn is the obvious choice. Check the pack size and decide how much you want to eat, rather than assuming that one pack is automatically one portion.
Loose popcorn kernels let you choose your own seasonings. You’ll need time and a suitable way to prepare them, and you should also take into account any oil and other additions when assessing the finished snack. Lidl describes preparing popcorn from kernels and adding ingredients of your choice.
First, decide whether you want to eat your popcorn straight away or prepare it yourself. Then compare the nutritional values on the same basis and plan your portion.
| Criterion | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Energy and portion size | Check the energy per 100 g and any stated portion size. For microwave popcorn, find out what state the nutritional information refers to. | If I choose my snack based on calories, I need a figure that matches the amount I plan to eat. This comparison is the main consideration for around 36% of consumers. |
| Pack size | Compare the pack weight with how much you want to eat in one evening. | I want a pack to provide the right amount of snacks for my student night in, without losing sight of portion control. This need takes priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Preparation and equipment | Check whether the popcorn is ready to eat or whether you’ll need a microwave or a suitable pan to prepare it. | If I have little time or no kitchen available in the evening, preparation is the most important factor in my decision. This is the main consideration for around 21% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Check the sugar, fat and salt per 100 g, as well as the ingredients list. If you have an allergy, check the information on the specific pack. | I want to know which additions and relevant allergens are in the exact variety I’m buying. This is the main thing to check for around 14% of consumers. |
The product name doesn’t tell you how much energy it contains per 100 g. REWE lists 394 kcal per 100 g for Snackline sweet popcorn and 372 kcal per 100 g for Chio sweet microwave popcorn; EDEKA24 lists 444 kcal per 100 g for Werther’s Original Salted Caramel Popcorn.
Compare the nutritional information for the specific varieties and take your planned portion into account.
Similar types of snacks can have different recipes. According to REWE, Snackline sweet popcorn contains 30 g of sugar and 3,7 g of fat per 100 g. EDEKA24 lists 48 g of sugar, 15,4 g of fat and 2,7 g of salt per 100 g for Werther’s Original Salted Caramel Popcorn.
Before you buy, think about which values matter to you and check the sugar, fat and salt as well as the energy content.
Microwave popcorn may list nutritional information per 100 g alongside information per portion. REWE gives 112 kcal per stated portion for Chio sweet microwave popcorn; that doesn’t mean every amount you choose to snack on is the same as that portion.
Check the portion size stated on the bag and follow its instructions when preparing the popcorn.
A coating may contain ingredients that matter if you have an allergy. EDEKA24 lists milk and soya in Werther’s Original Salted Caramel Popcorn, and says it may contain traces of hazelnuts, almonds, other nuts and wheat.
If you have an allergy or intolerance, check the ingredients and allergen information on the current pack of the variety you’ve chosen.
The 100 g sweet variety listed by REWE is ready-to-eat popcorn.
The sweet microwave popcorn listed by REWE needs to be prepared before eating.
The Salted Caramel variety listed by EDEKA24 is popcorn coated in cream caramel.
This product suits anyone who wants to prepare their own popcorn: you can choose the seasoning, but you’ll need to factor in the preparation and any additions you use.
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Popcorn kernels for anyone who wants to prepare and season their own popcorn. Allow time for preparation and take into account any oil or other additions you use when assessing the calories in the finished snack.
No. You can’t tell how many calories popcorn contains from the name alone. For the sweet varieties featured here, REWE and EDEKA24 list between 372 and 444 kcal per 100 g, depending on the product. So compare the nutritional information for the specific variety and consider your planned portion.
Compare the energy per 100 g only when the information is provided on the same basis, and also check the stated portion size. REWE lists 112 kcal per stated portion for Chio sweet microwave popcorn; for your decision, it also matters how much you actually plan to eat.
Follow the instructions on the specific bag and take your microwave’s power into account. Don’t assume that the settings given for one product will work for another type of microwave popcorn.
Yes. Ingredients in a coating, in particular, may matter to people with allergies or intolerances. EDEKA24 lists milk and soya in Werther’s Original Salted Caramel Popcorn, and says it may contain traces of other allergens. Always check the information on the current pack.