If protein is your priority in a late-night post-workout snack, regular popcorn may not be the right choice: examples listed by REWE and EDEKA contain 3.4 to 8.1 g of protein per 100 g. Another crunchy snack may contain more protein, but it isn’t popcorn and should also be assessed by portion size, sugar, fat and salt.
If you fancy something crunchy late after a workout, focus on the protein content of the portion you actually eat. The German Nutrition Society (DGE) explains that protein intake for sport depends on training volume and goals; a single snack is just one part of your daily diet.
With sweet popcorn, it’s worth checking the nutritional information and pack weight. REWE lists 52 g of sugar per 100 g for Chio sweet popcorn, and 22 g per 100 g for REWE Beste Wahl sweet microwave popcorn. What matters for your own portion is how much you actually eat.
Microwave popcorn is a good fit if hot popcorn matters more to you than a ready-to-eat snack. Cooking time and handling depend on the specific bag and microwave. Take care when opening the bag, as the steam can be hot.
A good fit if: You’d rather have sweet popcorn that’s ready to eat straight away than focus on protein content.
The trade-off: According to REWE, the Chio variety reviewed contains 3.4 g of protein and 52 g of sugar per 100 g.
A good fit if: You want hot popcorn and can prepare it according to the pack instructions.
The trade-off: Sweet and salted varieties differ in sugar, fat and salt. How you handle the hot bag is also part of the decision.
A good fit if: You’re happy to choose something other than popcorn to get more protein.
The trade-off: A higher protein figure on its own tells you nothing about the overall portion or its fat and salt content.
| Criterion | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Protein content | Compare protein and energy per 100 g, as well as the size of the portion you plan to eat. The claim ‘high protein’ has its own EU requirement. | If protein is your main concern after exercise, the snack should fit in with the rest of your diet. Around 50% of consumers put this need first. |
| Sugar and portion size | Check sugar and energy per 100 g, then relate them to the amount you’ll actually eat. | For a sweet late-night snack, I want to know how much sugar my portion contains. Around 30% of consumers give this need priority. |
| Preparation | For microwave popcorn, read the guidance on appliance power, cooking time and opening the bag. | If I want hot popcorn before bed, I need an easy way to prepare it and handle the hot bag safely. This is the most important consideration for around 20% of consumers. |
The number of grams alone doesn’t determine whether a food can carry this nutrition claim. Under the annex to EU Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, at least 20% of a food’s energy value must come from protein.
Compare the protein and energy figures for the same product and serving basis, rather than focusing on just one number on the pack.
REWE lists 3.4 g of protein and 52 g of sugar per 100 g for Chio sweet popcorn. REWE Beste Wahl sweet microwave popcorn contains 7.5 g of protein and 22 g of sugar per 100 g.
If protein is your main priority, compare sweet popcorn with other snacks using the full nutritional information and your portion size.
For GUT&GÜNSTIG salted microwave popcorn, EDEKA lists 8.1 g of protein, as well as 21 g of fat and 2.5 g of salt per 100 g.
For the specific variety you’re considering, check fat and salt alongside protein content.
Cooking times depend on the product and appliance power. The bag and escaping steam may be hot after cooking.
Follow the power, timing and opening instructions on the pack, and open the bag carefully.
REWE Beste Wahl sweet microwave popcorn is an option if you’re after hot, sweet popcorn.
Salted microwave popcorn is relevant to consumers looking for hot popcorn without a sweet flavour.
Protein Chips Barbecue Style are a crunchy alternative for consumers who aren’t set on popcorn.
Chio sweet popcorn is a ready-to-eat option for consumers who specifically want sweet popcorn.
This selection features a crunchy snack for consumers who are also considering flips instead of popcorn. You can check whether it suits the portion you want by looking at the nutritional information on the specific pack.
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An alternative if you’re looking for paprika-flavoured flips instead of popcorn.
The product name indicates a tray of six 50 g packs. Check the nutritional information on the specific pack for the portion you plan to eat.
No. For the ‘high protein’ nutrition claim, the annex to EU Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 requires at least 20% of the energy value to come from protein. So a protein figure per 100 g can’t be assessed against this requirement without knowing the energy value.
A single snack shouldn’t be considered in isolation. The German Nutrition Society (DGE) looks at protein intake in the context of your overall diet, as well as your training volume and goals. So check what contribution the portion you actually eat makes.
Follow the instructions for the specific bag and the power rating of your microwave. Also check the guidance on taking the bag out and opening it, as hot steam may escape.
Not necessarily: EDEKA notes that GUT&GÜNSTIG salted microwave popcorn may not be available in all EDEKA stores. Check availability at the store where you plan to shop.