When choosing popcorn for the night shift, first compare the energy per 100 g with the amount you actually plan to eat. In the products considered here, REWE lists XOX sweet microwave popcorn at 387 kcal per 100 g, compared with 406 and 413 kcal per 100 g for two ready-to-eat Chio varieties. However, XOX needs to be cooked in a microwave and contains 12 g of fat per 100 g. Sugar, fat and salt, as well as preparation time, can therefore matter just as much as the calorie count.
You want a snack, but you’re thinking about how much you’ll eat as well as the kcal per 100 g. For the second half of the night, the German Nutrition Society suggests a small snack as an alternative to a meal. Setting aside a portion beforehand makes it easier to keep track of how much you eat.
You fancy sweet popcorn, so you compare the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g. REWE lists 2.7 g for the XOX microwave popcorn considered here, and 51 and 52 g for the two ready-to-eat Chio varieties. Check the energy and fat figures too, as well as how each product needs to be prepared.
You need popcorn that’s ready to eat straight away. The Chio varieties considered here fit the bill, but REWE lists them at 406 and 413 kcal per 100 g. So your choice also depends on which portion you want to take with you.
When choosing popcorn for the night shift, compare the energy and the portion you plan to eat first. Then check the nutritional values that matter to you, followed by how much preparation is involved. Values per 100 g are useful for comparing products, but they don’t tell you how much you’ll eat during your break.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Calories and portion size | Compare kcal per 100 g on the same basis and think beforehand about how much popcorn you want to eat. | If you snack during your night break, you’ll want to know roughly how much energy your portion provides, rather than basing your choice on the whole pack. For around 42% of consumers, calories and portion size are the top priority. |
| Sugar in sweet popcorn | Check the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g, as well as the energy and fat values. | If you choose sweet popcorn, you’ll want to keep an eye on the sugar content, even if it needs to be prepared first. Around 33% of consumers put this first. |
| Salt, fat and convenience during your break | For savoury varieties, compare the fat and salt per 100 g. Check whether the popcorn is ready to eat or needs a microwave. | If your break is short or you fancy savoury popcorn, you’ll need a preparation method that works for you, without overlooking the fat and salt content. This combination is the main consideration for around 25% of consumers. |
The description doesn’t tell you reliably how many calories or how much sugar it contains. REWE lists Chio Popcorn sweet and salty at 406 kcal and 51 g of sugar per 100 g, and Chio Popcorn süß at 413 kcal and 52 g of sugar per 100 g.
Compare the kcal and ‘of which sugars’ figures per 100 g. If you have access to a microwave, include products that need preparing in your comparison too.
A low sugar value doesn’t tell you about the other nutritional values. EDEKA lists GUT&GÜNSTIG salty microwave popcorn at 21 g of fat and 2.5 g of salt per 100 g.
For savoury varieties, look at the energy, fat and salt together rather than basing your choice on a single value.
When you’re eating without paying attention, it can be easy to lose track of how much you’ve had. The German Nutrition Society points out that eating quickly at work can tempt you to eat too much.
Before your break, put the amount you want to eat into a bowl or container.
Product details on a retailer’s website may differ from those on the current packaging. EDEKA specifically advises customers to check the details on the pack for its microwave popcorn.
Check the nutritional information, ingredients and allergens on the pack itself. If you’re buying microwave popcorn, check the preparation instructions too.
The details below relate to specific popcorn products from the brands mentioned, not their full ranges. For a useful comparison, check the nutritional values for the particular variety you’re considering.
Ready-to-eat sweet and sweet-and-salty popcorn for breaks when you don’t have a way to prepare it.
Sweet microwave popcorn for breaks when you have access to a microwave.
Salty microwave popcorn for breaks when you have access to a microwave.
This selection features popcorn kernels for you to prepare yourself. For a short break during the night shift, you can make the popcorn before your shift and portion out what you want to take with you. You’re in control of the ingredients and portion size.
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An option if you want to make popcorn yourself and take a portion with you for the night shift.
The product name states that the pack contains 500 g of popcorn kernels. The nutritional values of the uncooked kernels aren’t directly comparable with those of ready-to-eat varieties if you add other ingredients when preparing them.
No, it depends on how much you eat. The German Nutrition Society suggests a small snack as an alternative to a meal in the second half of the night; a whole pack doesn’t automatically count as one portion.
Start with the kcal per 100 g if you want to compare the energy content of different popcorn products. Then check the sugar in sweet varieties and the fat and salt in savoury ones. Also think about how much you’ll actually eat.
You’ll need access to a suitable microwave and enough time to prepare the popcorn according to the instructions on the pack. Follow the guidance for the specific product and the microwave you’re using, rather than relying on timings from another pack of popcorn.
Check the nutritional information per 100 g, the ingredients and any highlighted allergens. If you’re buying microwave popcorn, the preparation instructions matter too. EDEKA advises customers to check the details on the current packaging for its popcorn.