People who train and prioritise protein
You want to know how much protein your desk lunch provides and avoid mistaking popcorn for a standalone source of protein.
Who is this decision relevant to?
People with a short lunch break
You’re looking for a quick snack and want to decide whether it will be enough for your lunch break.
Popcorn fans keeping an eye on nutrition
You’d rather have popcorn than another type of snack, and want to compare sweet and savoury varieties using the information on the pack.
What should you look for when buying?
First decide whether popcorn itself or its protein content matters more to you. Then check the portion size, preparation method and nutritional values to make sure they suit your short lunch break.
| Criteria | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Protein content | Compare the protein per portion and per 100 g. If the snack is part of your lunch, consider what else you’re eating too. | If I’m planning my protein intake around training, I want to know exactly how much the portion I eat contributes. For around 50% of consumers, protein content comes first. |
| Preparation | Check the preparation method and timings on the pack. Microwave popcorn requires access to a suitable microwave. | On a short lunch break, I don’t want to wait ages for a snack or rely on equipment that isn’t available at work. Speed is the most important factor for around 30% of consumers. |
| Popcorn and nutritional values | For sweet and savoury varieties, compare protein, sugar, fat and salt per 100 g, as well as the ingredients list. | I care more about the taste of popcorn than switching to another type of snack, but I still want to know how the varieties differ. Around 20% of consumers give this choice priority. |
Which misconceptions can make choosing harder?
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Confusing protein per 100 g with protein per portion
funny-frisch lists 21 g of protein per 100 g for its Protein Chips Barbecue Style, but 6.2 g for a 30-g portion. The portion figure gives you a clearer idea of how much protein one serving of the snack provides.
Compare the portion size on the pack with the amount you actually plan to eat.
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Planning to rely on popcorn alone for a protein-rich lunch
The microwave popcorn varieties listed by EDEKA contain 7.7 and 8.1 g of protein per 100 g respectively. A crunchy texture alone doesn’t tell you how much protein your whole lunch provides.
If protein is your priority, have popcorn alongside a separate source of protein, or compare the portion values for other types of snacks.
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Choosing sweet or savoury popcorn on taste alone
According to EDEKA, the sweet variety contains 16 g of sugar per 100 g, while the savoury variety contains 2.5 g of salt and 21 g of fat per 100 g.
Check the current packaging and ingredients list. EDEKA advises that the information on the pack should be treated as definitive.
Which brands can help you choose?
The examples below cover different types of products: microwave popcorn, a snack alternative to popcorn, and instructions for making your own.
GUT&GÜNSTIG / EDEKA
EDEKA offers sweet and savoury microwave popcorn, with nutritional and preparation information on its product pages.
- The listed protein values are 7.7 g for the sweet variety and 8.1 g for the savoury variety, per 100 g.
- According to EDEKA, the sweet variety contains 16 g of sugar per 100 g, while the savoury variety contains 2.5 g of salt per 100 g. When buying, always refer to the information on the current packaging.
funny-frisch
Protein Chips Barbecue Style are a crunchy snack alternative, but they’re not popcorn.
- funny-frisch lists 21 g of protein per 100 g and 6.2 g per 30-g portion.
- The product contains 1.9 g of salt per 100 g. A small portion isn’t the same as a full lunch.
Lidl
Lidl explains how to prepare small portions of popcorn in the microwave.
- If you make your own popcorn, you can choose the ingredients and seasoning.
- The instructions cover preparation, not the protein content of a specific popcorn product.
Crunchy alternatives at Joybuy
This selection features portioned snacks rather than popcorn. If you’re after the taste of popcorn, these products belong to a different category. To compare their protein content, check the nutritional information on each pack.
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ahead Protein Flips Paprika, multipack of 6 × 50 g
A portioned snack for a break instead of popcorn. The product title lists six 50-g packs. For your lunch plans, compare the protein and salt information on the pack.
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Corny Protein Crunchy Vanilla & White Choc Flavour, 12 × 45 g
A protein bar instead of popcorn for your snack break. The product title lists twelve 45-g bars. Check the protein per bar, as well as the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging.
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Corny Corn-Nut-Protein Chocolate with Corn, 3 × 35 g
A bar option for anyone who cares more about an individual snack portion than popcorn. The product title states that the pack contains three 35-g bars. Check the nutritional and allergen information before buying.
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Frankonia Chocolat Power Motion White Crisp Chocolate, 90 g
A chocolate option instead of popcorn if you fancy a smaller sweet snack. The product title lists a 90-g pack. Check the actual portion size and current nutritional information for the protein and sugar content.
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Power System 32% Protein Bite Power Banana, 35 g
A 35-g snack option if protein matters more to you than popcorn or a particular crunchy texture. Check the protein content for the whole pack and the ingredients, rather than relying on the product name alone.
Frequently asked questions
Is popcorn enough as a protein snack after exercise?
The microwave popcorn varieties listed by EDEKA aren’t ideal as your only source of protein: they contain 7.7 and 8.1 g of protein per 100 g respectively. If you’re planning a protein-rich lunch, consider the whole meal and choose an additional source of protein separately.
How quickly can you prepare microwave popcorn?
For the EDEKA varieties listed, the stated preparation time is around 1.5 to 3 minutes, depending on the microwave’s power. Follow the instructions on the specific pack and make sure you have access to a suitable microwave.
Are sweet and savoury microwave popcorn similar in terms of nutrition?
The EDEKA varieties listed differ in several ways: the sweet one contains 16 g of sugar per 100 g, while the savoury one contains 2.5 g of salt and 21 g of fat per 100 g. Compare the current packaging and focus on the values that matter most to you.
What does a snack’s protein value tell you about the portion?
A figure per 100 g doesn’t automatically tell you how much protein is in the portion you eat. funny-frisch lists 21 g of protein per 100 g for Protein Chips Barbecue Style, but 6.2 g for a 30-g portion. That’s why the portion information is particularly useful when planning a desk lunch.