When comparing packaged popcorn, check the fat, energy, sugar and salt per 100 g rather than relying on the word “light”. If you want to choose how much fat and seasoning to add, you can make your own popcorn from kernels; the fat content of the finished popcorn will then depend on your ingredients.
When choosing popcorn for TV night, compare fat and energy per 100 g, then consider how much you plan to serve. The German Food Federation explains that nutrition information per 100 g makes it possible to compare packaged foods.
A ready-to-eat pack saves you the hassle of preparing it. For savoury varieties, salt content is worth checking alongside fat; for sweet varieties, look at sugar. The consumer advice centre recommends checking the nutrition table even on products labelled “light” or “reduced”.
With popcorn kernels, you can choose the seasoning and whether to add fat, but you’ll need to allow time to prepare them. Lidl Germany describes making popcorn at home as an alternative to buying a ready-made pack.
First decide whether you want ready-made popcorn or would rather choose the ingredients and seasoning yourself. For packaged varieties that are as similar as possible, compare the nutrition information per 100 g, then think about how much you’ll actually serve.
| Criterion | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Fat and energy | Compare fat and energy per 100 g for similar popcorn varieties, then take the amount you plan to serve into account. | If I’m mainly watching the fat content, I don’t want to be misled by different serving sizes. Around 44% of shoppers put this concern first. |
| Salt and sugar | For savoury varieties, check salt; for sweet varieties, check sugar per 100 g alongside the fat content. | I don’t want a variety chosen with fat in mind to come as a surprise because of its salt or sugar content. For around 33% of shoppers, this is the most important check. |
| Ingredients and preparation | Choose between ready-made popcorn and kernels to prepare yourself; if using a microwave, use a suitable container. | I want to decide how to season my popcorn, and I’m happy to spend time preparing it. Having this control comes first for around 23% of shoppers. |
The label alone doesn’t tell you how much fat, energy, sugar or salt the popcorn contains. The consumer advice centre recommends checking the nutrition table on “light” and reduced products too.
Compare similar popcorn varieties per 100 g wherever possible, and only then take into account how much you plan to eat.
Two varieties can differ in their seasoning too. If you’re choosing salty popcorn, don’t let the fat content distract you from checking the salt.
Check both fat and salt per 100 g before choosing a pack.
With popcorn kernels, you choose the ingredients yourself. But adding extra fat will change the finished popcorn.
Choose your ingredients and seasoning carefully. For microwave preparation, use a suitable container that isn’t airtight and leaves room for the popcorn to expand.
Lorenz Naturals leicht fein gesalzen are potato crisps; funny-frisch Protein Chips Barbecue are a lentil and maize snack. Their nutrition information doesn’t describe a popcorn variety.
If you’re considering different types of snacks, compare their nutrition information as separate products, and don’t apply a reduced-content claim to popcorn.
Lorenz Naturals leicht fein gesalzen is a potato crisp option that you could compare with other savoury snacks—not a popcorn variety.
Protein Chips Barbecue is a lentil and maize snack for shoppers considering other savoury snacks as well as popcorn.
Lidl Germany describes making popcorn at home as a way to choose the ingredients and seasoning yourself.
First compare the nutrition information per 100 g, then take your planned portion into account. According to the German Food Federation, giving information per 100 g makes packaged foods comparable on a like-for-like basis.
No, the label doesn’t replace checking the nutrition table. The consumer advice centre recommends looking carefully at the information on “light” and reduced products; compare fat, energy, sugar and salt per 100 g across similar popcorn varieties wherever possible.
Use a microwave-safe container with a lid that allows steam to escape, and don’t overfill it so the popcorn has room to expand. Also follow the instructions for your container and the preparation guidance for the popcorn kernels.
For savoury popcorn, salt content is an additional point to compare; for sweet popcorn, check sugar. Look at both alongside fat and energy in the nutrition information per 100 g, rather than judging the whole recipe by a single figure.