If you want to choose the ingredients yourself while training for a marathon, opt for popcorn kernels to prepare at home. Ready-to-eat popcorn is a better choice when you want a snack with no preparation. If you need to follow a gluten-free diet, the fact that it is made from maize is not enough to make a buying decision: check the current packaging for a ‘gluten-free’ claim, as well as the ingredients and allergen information. Whether popcorn works as part of your fuelling plan around longer runs also depends on the portion size and how well you tolerate it, so try it out for yourself.
What matters is the labelling on the specific product, not just the fact that it contains maize. Under EU Implementing Regulation No 828/2014, a product can be labelled ‘gluten-free’ if it contains no more than 20 mg/kg of gluten at the point of sale. Also check the current ingredients list and allergen information.
A short ingredients list may make it easier to check a product, but it does not prove that it is suitable for someone with an individual allergy. Read the allergen information for the variety you are buying, and check the current packaging for details of possible traces if needed.
If you are planning to eat popcorn before or after longer sessions, compare the carbohydrate, sugar and fat content per 100 g and for the portion you intend to have. The German Nutrition Society considers carbohydrate intake during prolonged, intense exercise in relation to its duration and intensity; this does not mean popcorn is automatically suitable to eat while running.
A good choice if: You want to decide for yourself which ingredients to add after popping.
Bear in mind: Preparation takes time and you need a suitable way to cook them; a short ingredients list is no substitute for checking allergens.
A good choice if: You want to take popcorn with you or eat it without any preparation.
Bear in mind: Ingredients vary by variety, and sweet versions may contain sugar and oil.
A good choice if: You want to make popcorn at home and have access to a microwave.
Bear in mind: Follow the cooking instructions and take care when opening the hot bag to avoid escaping steam.
| Criteria | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten and allergens | Read the current ingredients and allergen information; if you need to follow a gluten-free diet, look for an explicit ‘gluten-free’ claim. | If I need to avoid gluten or a specific allergen, I need to make my decision based on the actual packaging, not the fact that the product is made from maize. Around 36% of consumers put these gluten and allergen checks first. |
| Fuelling for training | Compare the carbohydrate content per 100 g and for your planned portion; try the product and portion during training first. | For longer sessions, I want to know whether the portion I have in mind suits my fuelling plan and how well I tolerate it. This training need is the main priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Ingredients | Compare the ingredients and the sugar and fat content per 100 g; if you are buying popcorn kernels, also consider what you will add when preparing them. | If I want to control the amount of sugar, oil or salt myself, having control over the ingredients matters more to me than being able to eat the popcorn straight away. This is the main reason for buying popcorn for around 21% of consumers. |
| Preparation | Choose between ready-to-eat popcorn and products that need to be prepared; follow the instructions for microwave bags. | After training, I don’t want to have to prepare popcorn first, or I may have little time to do so at home. Convenience and availability come first for around 14% of consumers. |
The fact that a product is made from maize does not tell you everything you need to know about that specific product. Under EU Implementing Regulation No 828/2014, a product can only be labelled ‘gluten-free’ if it contains no more than 20 mg/kg of gluten at the point of sale.
If you need to follow a gluten-free diet, check the current packaging for this claim, as well as the ingredients and allergen information.
Portion size, ingredients and how well you tolerate the product all matter too. The German Nutrition Society relates carbohydrate intake during prolonged, intense exercise to the duration and intensity of the activity.
Compare the nutritional information for the portion you have in mind, and don’t try a product for the first time during a long or intense session.
It needs to be cooked in a microwave, following the instructions on the packaging. For the REWE Beste Wahl microwave popcorn reviewed, REWE warns that the bag, contents and steam may be hot.
Follow the wattage and cooking time on the packaging, then carefully open the heated bag away from your body.
The ingredients and allergen information must match the product you are actually buying. Even within a familiar brand, a different variety may have different ingredients.
Check the labelling for each variety instead of relying on information from a different popcorn product.
The information below applies to a specific popcorn product in each case, not every variety from that brand.
Popcorn kernels to prepare at home, for shoppers who want to start with a short ingredients list.
Ready-to-eat sweet and salty popcorn as an alternative to making your own.
Sweet popcorn for shoppers who want to compare a ready-made variety using its nutritional information.
Sugared microwave popcorn to prepare at home.
These products include popcorn kernels to prepare at home and sweet popcorn varieties. First decide which type of preparation suits you, then, if you need to avoid gluten or allergens, check the current labelling for the specific product.
No image available
For making at home, if you want to choose the ingredients to add after popping.
The product information notes that it may contain traces of gluten and soya. If this is relevant to you, check the current labelling on the packaging.
No image available
For preparing at home, if you want to choose the seasoning yourself.
The product information notes that it may contain traces of, among other things, gluten, soya, milk, nuts, sesame and lupin. If you have a relevant allergy, check the current packaging.
No image available
Sweet microwave popcorn to prepare at home; you will need a microwave.
The product information lists glucose-fructose syrup and sugar. Compare the nutritional information, and check the current packaging if you need to make a decision about gluten or allergens.
No image available
Ready-to-eat sweet popcorn, if you don’t want to spend time preparing a snack.
The product information notes that it may contain traces of gluten, milk and nuts. Check the current packaging if you need to avoid any of these.
No image available
A sweet caramel variety to try if you want to compare different popcorn recipes.
The product information lists glucose-fructose syrup, brown sugar and vegetable oils. Before buying, check the current allergen information and the consumption or preparation instructions on the packaging.
If you have coeliac disease, the fact that popcorn is made from maize is not enough to make a buying decision. Under EU Implementing Regulation No 828/2014, a food can be described as ‘gluten-free’ if it contains no more than 20 mg/kg of gluten at the point of sale. Check the current packaging for this claim, as well as the ingredients and allergen information.
The ingredients and allergen information are an important starting point, but they are not a blanket guarantee that a product is suitable for someone with an individual allergy. Check the specific variety you are buying and its current packaging; if you have questions about possible traces, contact the manufacturer if needed.
Popcorn cannot be recommended as fuelling for a long run across the board. The German Nutrition Society emphasises the importance of getting enough carbohydrates during prolonged, intense exercise. Whether a particular portion of popcorn works for you is something to try during training as part of your fuelling plan.
Follow the wattage and cooking time on the packaging for the product you have. For the sweet REWE Beste Wahl microwave popcorn reviewed, REWE warns that the bag, contents and steam may be hot; carefully open the heated bag away from your body.
Read the packaging for the specific variety and, if you have any questions, contact the manufacturer or supplier named on it. ALDI SÜD notes that ingredients lists for its changing product range are not available online for every product.