Who is this comparison for?

People keeping an eye on fat when snacking on pretzels

You’d like to compare a plain pretzel with a filled version. Alongside the fat content, the size of the pretzel is important when planning your carbohydrate intake.

People who plan their carbohydrate intake around insulin

The amount of carbohydrates in the portion you eat is particularly important for you. Values per 100 g are useful for comparing products, but you’ll also need the pretzel’s weight to work out the values for your portion.

People who also check salt or allergens

If salt or certain ingredients affect your choice, check the information for the specific product. If it’s sold loose, ask the retailer about its ingredients and allergens.

What should you look for when buying?

First, compare the nutritional information for the same type of product per 100 g, then check the weight of your portion. A low fat content alone doesn’t tell you how the pretzel fits into your carbohydrate plan.

Criteria What to check when buying Who it matters to
Carbohydrates in your portion Carbohydrates per 100 g and the weight of the pretzel; if needed, calculate the amount for the portion you eat. If I’m planning the carbohydrates in my meal, the pretzel’s fat content isn’t enough. This is the top priority for around 50% of consumers.
Fat and toppings Compare fat per 100 g and treat a pretzel with herb butter as a separate option. If you’re mainly looking for a lower-fat snack, you won’t want to confuse a plain pretzel with a filled one. Reducing fat is the priority for around 30% of consumers.
Salt and allergens Check the salt per 100 g and the ingredients and allergen information for the specific product. If I need to watch my salt intake or avoid certain ingredients, I need information about the pretzel I’ve chosen. This is the top buying criterion for around 20% of consumers.

Common mistakes when comparing

  • Assuming that less fat automatically makes a pretzel suitable for people with diabetes

    Even plain pretzels with lower fat content contain carbohydrates. REWE lists 44 g of carbohydrates per 100 g for the Entrup pretzel and 43.1 g for the Hiestand pretzel.

    Check fat and carbohydrates together, and take the weight of your portion into account when planning your individual intake.

  • Treating a pretzel with herb butter like a plain pretzel

    Ditsch lists 4.5 g of fat per 100 g for its plain pretzel. The Ditsch version with herb butter listed by REWE contains 11.2 g per 100 g. The topping changes the comparison.

    Compare filled and unfilled versions using their own nutritional information rather than applying the values for one version to another.

  • Checking only sugar instead of total carbohydrates

    The sugar content alone doesn’t show the total amount of carbohydrates in a pretzel. The ‘carbohydrates’ figure is the one to use when planning your portion.

    Check the carbohydrates per 100 g in the nutritional information, then take into account how much you plan to eat.

  • Applying the nutritional values for one pretzel to other versions

    A brand name or retailer doesn’t determine the nutritional values of another product. For example, ALDI SÜD directs customers to the information on the product in store for its pretzel.

    Check the current labelling on the pretzel you’re actually choosing, especially if it’s a different size, has toppings or is designed for baking at home.

Brands and retailers to consider

Information about individual products can help you compare different versions, but it doesn’t apply to every pretzel from a particular brand or retailer.

Ditsch

Ditsch publishes nutritional information for its pretzel, which weighs 100 g.

  • For its baked product, Ditsch lists 4.5 g of fat, 46.4 g of carbohydrates and 2.02 g of salt per 100 g.
  • The Ditsch pretzel with herb butter listed by REWE has different nutritional values. The information for the plain pretzel doesn’t apply to this version.

REWE

REWE lists nutritional information for individual pretzels from different manufacturers on its product pages.

  • REWE lists 1.2 g of fat and 44 g of carbohydrates per 100 g for the Entrup pretzel, and 2.5 g of fat and 43.1 g of carbohydrates per 100 g for the Hiestand pretzel.
  • Entrup and Hiestand are different products. Check the information for the pretzel you’ve chosen before buying.

EDEKA

EDEKA24 lists nutritional information for Gut & Günstig salted pretzels, a packaged savoury snack.

  • EDEKA24 lists 7.3 g of fat, 70 g of carbohydrates and 4.5 g of salt per 100 g for this product.
  • Salted pretzels sold as a snack aren’t the same product as a fresh pretzel, so you can’t apply these values to one.

Lidl

Lidl describes the fresh bread and baked goods from its in-store bakery.

  • When choosing a particular pretzel, its current information on fat, carbohydrates, salt and weight is what matters.

Aldi

ALDI SÜD sells a pretzel, while ALDI Nord describes GOLDÄHREN pretzels for baking at home.

  • Check the labelling on the specific product. ALDI SÜD directs customers to the product in store for precise information about its pretzel.

Related products at Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Can I eat a pretzel if I have diabetes?

Having diabetes doesn’t automatically mean you need to avoid pretzels. diabetesDE – German Diabetes Aid points out that, in general, people with diabetes can eat the same foods as other people. How a pretzel fits into your meal depends in part on the amount of carbohydrates in your portion and your individual plan.

Is a lower-fat pretzel automatically the better choice?

No. A lower fat content alone isn’t enough to make that decision. REWE lists 44 g and 43.1 g of carbohydrates per 100 g for the Entrup and Hiestand pretzels respectively, despite their different fat contents. Also check the weight of the pretzel and the carbohydrates in your portion.

How do I compare pretzels of different sizes?

First compare the nutritional values per 100 g, then take the weight of each pretzel into account. This lets you work out the values for the portion you plan to eat. If the pretzels are sold loose, you can ask about their weight and any product information available.

What should I check if I have an allergy?

Check the ingredients and allergen information for the exact pretzel you’re thinking of choosing. If it’s sold loose, ask the retailer for allergen information. The general description ‘pretzel’ isn’t enough to reliably tell you what a particular version contains.