People planning their snack portions
You want something savoury before your workout, so you compare kcal per 100 g with the amount you actually plan to eat.
Who is this comparison for?
People considering their training load
You pay attention to carbohydrates and are thinking about what snack portion would suit the duration and intensity of your workout. The German Nutrition Society (DGE) describes energy requirements in sport as varying from person to person.
People checking salt and allergens
Before buying, you check the salt content, ingredients and allergen information on the specific pack, for example for wheat or declared traces.
What should you look for when buying?
Start with the portion you have in mind, then check whether the carbohydrates, salt and ingredients suit your training and your needs.
| Criterion | What to check | Who is it important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Calories and portion size | Compare kcal per 100 g on the same basis, then work out the value for your planned portion. | If I only want a small amount, what matters to me is my portion, not the pack contents. For around 42% of consumers, keeping track of calories and portion size is the priority. |
| Carbohydrates and tolerance | Check carbohydrates and fibre per 100 g, as well as how long before your workout you’ll have the snack. | Before a longer or more intense session, I want to adjust my snack portion to the effort involved and what I can comfortably tolerate. This is the top priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Salt and allergens | Check the salt content per 100 g, along with the ingredients and allergen information on the current pack. | If I need to watch my salt intake or avoid certain ingredients, I don’t want to choose based on the kcal figure alone. Around 25% of consumers prioritise checking salt and allergens. |
Common selection mistakes
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Assuming pretzels are low in calories just because of their shape
According to Lorenz Snacks, ALDI SÜD and EDEKA, the products compared range from 391 to 408 kcal per 100 g. The number of kcal you eat also depends on your portion size.
Compare products using the same measure and decide how much you want to eat.
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Overlooking the salt content
The figures compared from Lorenz Snacks, EDEKA and ALDI SÜD range from 3.5 to 4.51 g of salt per 100 g. So a small portion and a whole pack should be considered differently when it comes to salt, too.
Check the salt content on the current pack and take the amount you actually eat into account.
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Confusing ‘vegan’ with ‘gluten-free’
Lorenz describes the Saltletts Sticks compared here as vegan, but they contain wheat and may contain sesame. The EDEKA pretzels compared here list wheat and may also contain traces of milk.
If you need to avoid certain ingredients, check the ingredients and allergen information on the specific pack rather than relying on another product claim.
Brands and own-label options to consider
Lorenz / Saltletts
You can compare the classic Saltletts Sticks and Saltletts Wholegrain directly using their published nutritional information.
- Lorenz Snacks lists 391 kcal and 3.0 g of fibre per 100 g for the classic sticks, and 392 kcal and 6.0 g of fibre per 100 g for Saltletts Wholegrain.
- Both varieties contain wheat. Check the current pack for ingredients and nutritional information when you buy.
EDEKA / GUT&GÜNSTIG
GUT&GÜNSTIG pretzels are an own-label option with a published nutrition table.
- EDEKA lists 408 kcal, 71.4 g of carbohydrates and 4.4 g of salt per 100 g for its pretzels.
- Product information may differ from the pack, so check the specific variety when you shop.
ALDI SÜD / SUNSNACKS
The published information for SUNSNACKS pretzels lets you compare them per 100 g.
- ALDI SÜD lists 397 kcal, 70 g of carbohydrates and 4.51 g of salt per 100 g.
- Nutritional values may vary as different suppliers may be used. Compare the information on the pack.
REWE / ja!
REWE lists pretzel sticks and pretzels from various brands and own-label ranges in a dedicated product category.
- The category makes it easy to compare different types of product using their respective nutritional information.
- To make a decision about kcal, salt and allergens, you’ll need the information on the specific pack you choose.
Pretzel sticks at Joybuy
These pretzel sticks are options if you want to portion out your own snack before a workout. Whether they suit you, and how much to have, depends on your needs and what you can comfortably tolerate.
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Lorenz Saltletts Wholegrain pretzel sticks, 175 g
These wholegrain sticks are worth considering if you want to measure out a portion of pretzel sticks and compare the fibre content, too.
Pack size: 175 g. Lorenz Snacks lists 392 kcal, 68 g of carbohydrates, 6.0 g of fibre and 3.5 g of salt per 100 g for Saltletts Wholegrain.
If needed, check the ingredients and allergen information on the current pack; the product description lists wheat and barley, and says it may contain traces of sesame.
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Lorenz Saltletts Classic pretzel sticks, 250 g
These classic pretzel sticks are worth comparing if you’re weighing up a small portion against a wholegrain variety.
Pack size: 250 g. Lorenz Snacks lists 391 kcal, 71 g of carbohydrates and 3.8 g of salt per 100 g for Saltletts Sticks.
The product description lists wheat; check the current pack for any other allergen information, too.
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Jeden Tag pretzel sticks, 250 g
These pretzel sticks are worth considering if you want to decide for yourself how much to have as a snack.
Pack size: 250 g. Before buying, compare the nutritional information and allergen details on the current pack with your needs.
Frequently asked questions
How do I compare the calories in pretzels?
Compare the kcal figures per 100 g, then work them out for the portion you plan to eat. This makes it easy to compare products even when the pack sizes differ.
Are pretzel sticks a good choice before every workout?
No, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to whether you need a snack before a workout. The German Nutrition Society (DGE) says that energy requirements in sport depend, among other things, on your physical characteristics and the duration and intensity of the activity.
Are wholegrain pretzel sticks lower in calories than classic ones?
Not for the Saltletts varieties compared here: Lorenz Snacks lists 392 kcal per 100 g for the wholegrain sticks and 391 kcal per 100 g for the classic sticks. The wholegrain variety contains more fibre, at 6.0 rather than 3.0 g per 100 g. Whether it suits you just before a workout also depends on what you can comfortably tolerate.
What should I check for salt and allergens?
Check the salt content, ingredients and allergen information on the specific pack. The salt snacks compared from Lorenz Snacks, EDEKA and ALDI SÜD list between 3.5 and 4.51 g of salt per 100 g; wheat is listed for the Lorenz and EDEKA products described here.