Movie-night snackers comparing calories
You compare kcal per 100 g and consider how much popcorn you’ll actually eat during the film.
Which comparison matters to you?
Fans of hot popcorn without a pan
You want to make microwave popcorn and check that the power and cooking instructions are right for your appliance.
People with particular ingredient preferences
You want to compare sugar, salt or fat, or season your own popcorn rather than relying on the flavour description alone.
What should you look for when buying?
If you’re watching your calorie intake, first check the energy content per 100 g and the portion you plan to eat. Then decide whether quick, hot preparation or choosing your own ingredients matters more to you.
| Criteria | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Energy and portion | Compare kcal per 100 g and work out the value for the amount you plan to eat. | I want to think about both the type of popcorn and how much I put in my bowl. For around 50% of consumers, keeping track of energy and portion size is the main priority. |
| Hot preparation | For microwave popcorn, check the power and cooking instructions for your appliance. | If I want hot popcorn without using a pan, the preparation instructions need to suit my microwave. Quick, hot preparation is the top priority for around 30% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and flavour | Compare sugar, fat and salt per 100 g, along with the ingredients and any allergen information. | I want to decide for myself how sweet or salty my popcorn is, so I check the specific recipe. Around 20% of consumers prioritise having control over ingredients and flavour. |
Common mistakes when buying popcorn
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Assuming less sugar means fewer calories
Popz Sweet & Salty Microwave Popcorn, listed by REWE, contains 0.7 g of sugar, but also has 459 kcal and 25 g of fat per 100 g. Sugar content alone doesn’t tell you how many calories it contains.
Start by comparing kcal per 100 g, then use the sugar, fat and salt figures to check how each product fits your other priorities.
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Looking only at the figures per 100 g
Nutritional information lets you compare different products. The energy content of your movie-night snack also depends on how much you eat.
Before the film, decide how much you plan to have and work out the figures for that portion.
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Opening a hot microwave popcorn bag carelessly
The bag and its contents can be hot after cooking, and steam may escape. The right power setting and cooking time also depend on the product and appliance.
Follow the instructions on the pack and open the bag carefully, pointing it away from yourself.
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Checking organic or flavour claims instead of the recipe
These descriptions alone don’t tell you the energy content, all the ingredients or any potential allergens in a particular product.
Read the product’s nutritional information and ingredients list; if you have allergies, the allergen information is important too.
Popcorn brands to help you choose
Seeberger
An option if you’re looking for sweet microwave popcorn in a 90 g pack.
- For its specific Sweet Microwave Popcorn, Seeberger lists 373 kcal and 25 g of sugar per 100 g at REWE.
- These nutritional values don’t apply to every product from the brand. For this microwave product, also check the cooking instructions and suitability information.
Chio
Worth considering if you want to compare ready-to-eat and microwave popcorn from the same brand.
- REWE lists sweet Chio Ready-to-eat Popcorn in a 120 g pack and salty Chio Microwave Popcorn in a 100 g pack.
- Compare the nutritional values and ingredients of each variety rather than assuming that one’s characteristics apply to the other.
Heimatgut
Worth considering if you’re specifically looking for popcorn labelled organic.
- REWE lists Heimatgut Sweet & Salty Popcorn and a sweet microwave variety in 90 g packs, both labelled organic.
- The organic label doesn’t tell you the energy content. With the microwave variety, some unpopped kernels may remain after cooking.
Popcorn at Joybuy
This selection features sweet microwave popcorn for movie night. If you’d rather have ready-popped popcorn or kernels to season yourself, use the nutritional values and your planned portion as the basis for comparison.
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Seeberger Sweet Microwave Popcorn, 90 g
For hot popcorn from the microwave when you want to compare energy content before movie night.
REWE lists 373 kcal per 100 g for the sweet Seeberger microwave variety; the pack contains 90 g. Follow the instructions for your microwave’s power setting, and take care with the hot bag and escaping steam when you open it.
Frequently asked questions
Which nutritional values should I compare when buying popcorn?
Start with the energy content per 100 g, then take your portion into account. Sugar, fat and salt can help you compare varieties based on your other preferences. Figures per portion can be useful too, but they don’t replace a consistent basis for comparison.
Does popcorn with less sugar automatically have fewer calories?
No. Popz Sweet & Salty Microwave Popcorn, listed by REWE, contains 0.7 g of sugar, but also has 459 kcal and 25 g of fat per 100 g. So when comparing calories, the energy value of the specific variety is what matters.
What should I bear in mind with microwave popcorn?
Follow the power, timing and safety instructions on the pack. Open the hot bag carefully, pointing it away from yourself. The product information for Seeberger Sweet Microwave Popcorn also states that it is not suitable for children under three or people with swallowing difficulties.
How can I check popcorn if I need to avoid certain ingredients?
Read the ingredients list and allergen information for the specific variety you want to buy. A flavour description or organic label doesn’t replace this check. For example, Snackline Sweet Popcorn, listed by REWE, carries a warning that it may contain traces of milk.