Who this selection is for

For anyone keeping an eye on lunchbox portions

You’re looking for a savoury snack for school and want to compare the energy per 100 g with the amount you’ll actually pack.

For anyone comparing wholemeal options and fibre

You want to consider the ingredients and fibre content of a pretzel snack, rather than choosing based on the kcal figure alone.

For families checking salt and allergens

For your lunchbox, the salt content and the ingredients and allergen information on the current pack matter just as much as portion size.

What to look for when buying

First, decide how much snack you’ll pack for the school day. Then compare the nutritional values per 100 g and check which ingredients matter to the person who’ll be eating it.

What to compare What to check when buying Who it matters to
Energy and portion size Compare kcal per 100 g and work out the value for the number of grams you plan to pack. If I want to pack only a small amount in the lunchbox, I need to know how much will actually be eaten. Around 40% of consumers would prioritise the energy in a portion.
Wholemeal and fibre Read the ingredients list and fibre information; check the kcal separately from any wholemeal claim. For my lunchbox, I want to choose a snack whose wholemeal and fibre claims I can understand, without assuming that this means fewer calories. Around 30% of consumers would put this comparison first.
Salt and allergens Compare salt per 100 g and check the ingredients and allergen information on the current pack. If salt or particular allergens are a concern for us, I need the details for the specific product before it goes into the lunchbox. This would be the main buying consideration for around 30% of consumers.

Common comparison mistakes

  • Assuming wholemeal means fewer calories

    Lorenz lists Saltletts Wholemeal at 392 kcal per 100 g and its PausenCracker with wholemeal and seeds at 467 kcal per 100 g. The wholemeal claim doesn’t answer the question of how many calories a product contains.

    Compare kcal per 100 g and your planned portion; use the fibre information as a separate point of comparison.

  • Overlooking salt while comparing kcal

    The products compared range from 3.5 to 6.76 g of salt per 100 g. So a lower kcal value doesn’t automatically mean less salt.

    Compare energy and salt side by side, and work out both values for the amount you’ll pack in the lunchbox.

  • Packing a whole bag as a lunchtime portion

    The pack size doesn’t tell you how much will be eaten during the break. Without deciding on an amount, comparing products per 100 g is of limited help when planning.

    Measure out the amount you plan to pack into a container, or check the weight if you’re buying a smaller pack.

  • Assuming the shape of the pretzel tells you what’s in it

    Ingredients and allergen information vary between products. For example, Lorenz lists wheat in Saltletts Pretzels, and notes that they may contain traces of milk, egg and sesame.

    If allergies or intolerances are a concern, check the ingredients list and allergen information on the current pack.

Brands for comparison

Lorenz / Saltletts

The products considered include pretzels, wholemeal sticks and a PausenCracker. Compare the nutritional values for each specific product.

  • According to Lorenz, Saltletts Wholemeal contains 6.0 g of fibre per 100 g and is made with over 80% wholemeal wheat flour.
  • At 392 kcal per 100 g, Saltletts Wholemeal isn’t the lowest-energy option in this comparison; the PausenCracker lists 467 kcal per 100 g.

Huober

Bio Prinzess Pretzels are classic mini pretzels that provide a point of comparison for energy and salt.

  • EDEKA24 lists Huober Bio Prinzess Pretzels at 368 kcal per 100 g.
  • EDEKA24 also lists 6.4 g of salt per 100 g. An organic claim doesn’t replace the need to check the nutritional information.

SUNSNACKS

The pretzel sticks and pretzels from ALDI SÜD make it possible to compare two types of snack from the same own-label brand.

  • ALDI SÜD lists its pretzel sticks at 384 kcal and 6.76 g of salt per 100 g, and its pretzels at 408 kcal and 4.4 g of salt per 100 g.
  • ALDI SÜD notes that nutritional values may vary by supplier. Always check the pack when you buy.

Gut & Günstig

The pretzels considered offer another point of comparison for classic pretzel snacks.

  • EDEKA24 lists these pretzels at 397 kcal and 4.5 g of salt per 100 g.
  • The ingredients list includes wheat flour and notes that traces of sesame and milk may be present; if you have allergies, check the specific pack.

Pretzel snacks at Joybuy

These wholemeal pretzel sticks are an option if you want to take fibre into account when packing a school lunchbox. For a calorie-conscious comparison, portion size and energy and salt per 100 g remain the key considerations.

Lorenz Saltletts Wholemeal Pretzel Sticks, 175 g

Lorenz Saltletts Wholemeal Pretzel Sticks, 175 g

For a lunchbox where you want to compare fibre as well as the energy in your portion.

Lorenz lists Saltletts Wholemeal at 392 kcal, 6.0 g of fibre and 3.5 g of salt per 100 g. The 175-g pack size doesn’t tell you how much to pack for one break, so decide on that amount separately.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Are wholemeal pretzel sticks automatically lower in calories?

No. Wholemeal ingredients alone don’t mean a product has less energy. Lorenz lists Saltletts Wholemeal at 392 kcal per 100 g, while EDEKA24 lists Huober Bio Prinzess Pretzels at 368 kcal per 100 g. Compare the kcal independently of the wholemeal claim.

How should I plan the amount for a school lunchbox?

Decide on a weight in grams and work out the kcal based on the amount per 100 g. Using the 392 kcal per 100 g listed by Lorenz, 40 g of Saltletts Wholemeal works out at around 157 kcal; the whole pack isn’t automatically a single portion for a school break.

Why should I compare salt in pretzel snacks too?

Because the salt content varies significantly between the products considered. Lorenz lists Saltletts Wholemeal at 3.5 g of salt per 100 g, while ALDI SÜD lists SUNSNACKS pretzel sticks at 6.76 g per 100 g. Work out the value for the portion you actually plan to pack.

What information should I check if I have allergies?

Check the ingredients list and allergen information on the specific pack, rather than relying on the product name or snack shape. The products considered include wheat; some also list possible traces of sesame, milk or egg in their ingredients and allergen information.

Can a pretzel snack replace school lunch?

Don’t rely on a pretzel snack alone as a complete school lunch. The German Nutrition Society recommends that children and young people get an appropriate balance of energy from carbohydrates, protein and fat. So include more than just the snack when putting a meal together.