If you want the popcorn itself to be a source of protein, none of the four 3-pack microwave options compared here is suitable: their stated nutritional values fall below the 12% protein-energy threshold KIN explains for a ‘source of protein’ claim. A 3-pack is worth considering for sharing if you have a microwave; for a lunchbox, the popcorn needs to be prepared and cooled first. Of the packs compared, XOX has the highest stated protein content at 8.9 g per 100 g, but REWE also lists 2 g of salt per 100 g.
If you want the snack itself to contribute towards your protein target, the figure in grams per 100 g isn’t enough to assess it. For a protein claim, what matters is the proportion of the total energy provided by protein.
Three microwave bags that are prepared individually can be spread across different occasions. As well as the flavour, it’s important to check the nutritional values for the specific variety and whether you have a microwave.
An unpopped microwave bag isn’t a ready-to-eat lunchbox portion. For an on-the-go snack, the popcorn needs to be prepared and cooled before you pack it.
First, decide whether you want the popcorn itself to provide protein or whether you’re looking for a snack to nibble on. Then consider the pack format, preparation and nutritional information for the specific variety.
| What matters | What to check before buying | Who should pay particular attention |
|---|---|---|
| Protein contribution | Compare protein and energy per 100 g. For a protein claim, it’s the proportion of energy provided by protein that counts, not just the number of grams. | If I want my snack itself to contribute towards my protein target, I need more than a prominent protein figure on the pack. For around 45% of consumers, this protein contribution is the priority. |
| Portions and preparation | Check how many bags need to be prepared individually and read the microwave instructions. If you’re packing it in a lunchbox, allow time for preparation and cooling. | If I’m sharing, I don’t want to prepare everything at once; for an on-the-go snack, it needs to be ready beforehand. Planning individual portions is the main concern for around 33% of consumers. |
| Flavour and other nutritional values | Compare sugar, fat and salt on the same per-100-g basis, and take your intended portion size into account. | If I’m choosing popcorn mainly as a snack to nibble on, I want the variety and other nutritional values to suit the occasion. Around 22% of consumers focus on this. |
For ‘source of protein’ and ‘high protein’ claims, KIN gives thresholds of 12% and 20% of energy from protein, respectively. The nutritional values for the four 3-packs compared here don’t even meet the lower threshold.
If you want the snack itself to be a source of protein, check the nutritional information and look for an appropriate permitted claim, rather than choosing solely on the grams of protein per 100 g.
The figures published by REWE show that the products vary in other nutritional values: Jolly Time Sugar Flavour contains 13.7 g of sugar, Jolly Time Cheese Flavour 3.1 g of salt, and Peo's 25 g of fat, each per 100 g.
For your preferred flavour, compare energy, sugar, fat and salt per 100 g too. This makes it easier to see how similarly sized packs differ.
The multipacks compared here contain bags that need to be cooked in the microwave. An unpopped bag isn’t a ready-to-eat snack for when you’re out and about.
Prepare the popcorn according to the pack instructions and let it cool before packing it. Take care when opening the hot bag, as steam can escape.
The differences below apply to specific products and the nutritional information published for them by REWE, not to each brand’s entire range.
The salted microwave popcorn is sold in a 3 × 100 g pack.
The salted Micro Popcorn also comes in a 3 × 100 g microwave pack.
The 3 × 100 g microwave packs compared here come in Sugar Flavour and Cheese Flavour.
The 500 g bag of popcorn kernels is an option if you want to portion it yourself, but it isn’t a multipack of individual microwave bags.
No. Based on the nutritional values listed by REWE, none of the four 3-pack microwave options compared here meets the threshold for ‘high protein’ explained by KIN. At least 20% of the energy must come from protein; even a ‘source of protein’ claim requires at least 12%.
According to REWE, XOX salted microwave popcorn 3 × 100 g has the highest figure of these four products, at 8.9 g of protein per 100 g. This doesn’t qualify it as high protein; when choosing, also bear in mind the 2 g of salt per 100 g listed for it.
Not as a ready-to-eat snack: the bags compared here need to be cooked in the microwave first. Let the popcorn cool before packing it, and watch out for steam when opening the hot bag.
Follow the instructions on the specific pack and take care when opening a hot bag, as steam can escape. For Jolly Time Cheese Flavour, the product information published by REWE specifically says that children should only prepare popcorn under adult supervision.