If you need breakfast on the go with no preparation, a ready-to-eat pretzel is more practical than a frozen one that needs baking. But if you’re focusing on protein, don’t judge a pretzel by its name alone: check the nutritional information for the portion you’ll eat, and for any side you might add. Salt, allergens and preparation time can also affect your choice.
If you want breakfast on your way somewhere, the key thing is whether the pretzel is ready to eat. A freshly baked pretzel from a bakery counter is a better fit than a dough piece that you need to defrost and bake first.
If you plan breakfast around exercise, think of the pretzel as one part of your meal and check the protein content of the whole portion. The German Nutrition Society notes that moderate recreational exercise alone doesn’t automatically mean you need more protein.
Compare the salt content of the specific products, and if you have allergies, check the ingredients and allergen information for each variety. You can’t assume the recipe is the same just because the brand name is.
First decide whether your pretzel needs to be ready to eat or whether you have time to bake it. Then compare the protein and salt content for the amount you actually plan to eat.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Protein in your meal | Compare protein per 100 g and per portion eaten; if you’re having a side, check its nutritional information too. | If I want to focus on protein at breakfast, the pretzel’s nutritional information alone isn’t enough to help me decide. This is likely to be the main concern for around 36% of consumers. |
| Ready to eat | Check whether the pretzel is ready to eat or needs defrosting and baking. | On my way straight to work, I need something I can eat without an oven. Around 29% of consumers would prioritise being able to eat it straight away. |
| Salt and allergens | Check the salt content per 100 g and per portion, as well as the ingredients and allergen information for the specific variety. | If I need to watch my salt intake or avoid certain ingredients, I don’t want to rely on information for a similar-looking pretzel. This would be the most important buying consideration for around 14% of consumers. |
| Keeping a supply and preparation | For frozen products, check the storage requirements and preparation instructions against the time you have available. | I can plan breakfast ahead and want to keep pretzels in stock rather than buy them on the spur of the moment in the morning. Keeping a supply would be the priority for around 21% of consumers. |
The product information from Ditsch, EDEKA and ALDI SÜD shows that the classic pretzels compared here contain between 7.9 and 9.5 g of protein per 100 g. The weight of your portion also matters when working out how much you’ll eat.
Compare nutritional information using the same reference amount. If you’re planning a protein-rich side, check its portion size and nutritional information separately too.
A pretzel that needs baking will only fit your schedule if there’s time to defrost and bake it before you eat.
Check the preparation instructions before buying. If you need something to eat straight away on the go, a ready-made pretzel may be a better option.
Different products may have different ingredients and allergen information. ALDI SÜD also notes that its bakery-counter pretzel may come from different suppliers and have different nutritional values.
Check the ingredients, allergen and nutritional information available for the product you’re actually buying.
The La Nouvelle butter pretzel listed by REWE contains 8.4 g of protein, 14.6 g of fat and 2 g of salt per 100 g. The topping alone doesn’t tell you how its nutritional values fit into your breakfast.
When comparing butter-topped and other filled varieties, check the protein, fat and salt content, as well as portion size, against your other options.
Ditsch offers both freshly baked pretzels and dough pieces that you bake at home. If you need breakfast with no preparation, the ready-to-eat option is the one to look for.
The pretzel from the bakery counter is intended to be eaten straight away. ALDI SÜD says it is freshly baked several times a day.
EDEKA sells bake-at-home pretzels and long-life salted pretzels under the GUT&GÜNSTIG brand. These two types of product serve different purposes.
REWE sells a range of frozen pretzel products, including pretzels. When planning breakfast, check the preparation instructions for the pack you choose.
No, you can’t tell from the name alone. Compare the protein content with the weight of your portion, and take into account the other foods you’re having for breakfast.
A ready-to-eat pretzel is a better fit than a frozen one that needs baking. Even with packaged products, check what type you’re buying: the preparation instructions will tell you whether you’ll need extra time and an appliance before you can eat it.
Check the allergen information at the point of sale, and ask about the specific variety if it isn’t clear. The Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Regional Identity explains that information must be provided for the 14 most common allergens and intolerances. Don’t try to work out the ingredients from the pretzel’s appearance alone.
No. According to the German Nutrition Society, moderate recreational exercise doesn’t automatically mean you need more protein. If you’re planning breakfast around a personal protein goal, consider your diet as a whole rather than just the protein in one pretzel.
Not always. ALDI SÜD notes that different suppliers may provide its pretzels, so the nutritional values may vary. Check the information at the store you’re buying from.