Which pretzels are right for you?

Families short on time in the morning

A ready-to-eat single pack can go straight into a school bag. If you choose a larger bag, you’ll need to portion some out into a lunchbox first.

Families who need to avoid gluten

Look for pretzels clearly labelled gluten-free, and check the ingredients and warnings for other allergens too. For example, Schär Salinis, listed by REWE, contains soya lecithin and may contain traces of sesame.

Families putting together a school-break meal

Pretzels are a dry snack to include in a lunchbox, rather than a complete meal. The Federal Centre for Nutrition suggests including items such as bread, fruit and vegetables in a packed breakfast.

What should you look for when buying?

For a school bag, it makes a difference whether you can take pretzels as a ready-to-go single portion, need to portion them out at home from a larger bag, or have to prepare pretzel bakes first.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Portion size and portability Check the pack size and portion information. If you buy a multipack, have a clean lunchbox ready for portioning. If there’s little time to transfer food in the morning, choose a snack that can go straight into the school bag. Around 40% of consumers would put easy portioning first.
Ingredients and allergens Read the current ingredients list and the allergen and ‘may contain’ information on the pack. For loose products, ask for allergen information. If gluten needs to be avoided, look for clear labelling and make sure you don’t overlook other relevant allergens. Around 30% of consumers would make this their main consideration.
Making it part of a school-break meal Check the salt content per 100 g and for the amount you’re packing. Remember to include other foods and a drink. If you want to pack more than a dry snack, you’ll need other items alongside the pretzels. For around 30% of consumers, adding other foods would be the main reason for their choice.

Common packing and buying mistakes

  • Assuming ‘gluten-free’ means ‘free from all allergens’

    Gluten-free Schär Salinis, listed by REWE, contains soya lecithin and may contain traces of sesame. So the gluten-free label doesn’t answer every question about allergens.

    Before buying, read the ingredients list and all allergen and ‘may contain’ information on the specific pack.

  • Treating a multipack as a school-break portion

    A 250-g pack doesn’t tell you how much will be eaten during the break. EDEKA and ALDI SÜD list 4.4 g of salt per 100 g for their respective salted pretzels; the amount you pack depends on the actual portion size.

    Measure out a suitable amount into a clean lunchbox in advance, and check the nutritional information on the pack you buy.

  • Planning pretzels as the entire school-break meal

    A dry pretzel snack doesn’t automatically replace the other items in a lunchbox. The German Nutrition Society highlights the importance of children and young people getting a suitable range of nutrients.

    Pack pretzels as an extra, and plan the rest of the food and a drink separately.

  • Relying on product-page information without checking

    EDEKA warns that the information on its product page may differ from the packaging. ALDI SÜD says SUNSNACKS may come from different suppliers, so nutritional information can vary.

    Use the pack you actually buy to check the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information.

Brands to consider

Ditsch

Ditsch makes a range of pretzel bakes. Its handy mini format could work for a school break if you have time to prepare it at home.

  • Ditsch describes its Laugen-Mini-Mix as weighing 40 g per piece.
  • The Mini-Mix is frozen and needs to be prepared. It contains wheat and may contain traces of sesame and milk.

Schär

Schär Salinis, listed by REWE, are salted pretzels clearly labelled gluten-free and sold in a 60-g pack.

  • REWE describes the pack as one portion and labels it gluten-free, wheat-free and lactose-free.
  • The product contains soya lecithin and may contain traces of sesame. Check the pack for any other allergen requirements.

GUT&GÜNSTIG

GUT&GÜNSTIG salted pretzels, described by EDEKA, come in a 250-g pack that you can portion out for school-break snacks.

  • EDEKA gives the salt content as 4.4 g per 100 g, which you can use to work out the amount in your portion.
  • The salted pretzels contain wheat and may contain traces of milk. EDEKA recommends checking the information on the specific pack.

SUNSNACKS

SUNSNACKS salted pretzels, described by ALDI SÜD, come in a 250-g multipack that you can portion out yourself.

  • ALDI SÜD gives the salt content for the product described as 4.4 g per 100 g.
  • According to ALDI SÜD, the product may come from different suppliers, so nutritional information can vary. Always check the pack you buy.

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Relevant products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Are salted pretzels enough for a school-break meal?

Salted pretzels are better as part of a school-break meal than as the only item. The German Nutrition Society highlights the importance of children and young people getting a suitable range of nutrients. The Federal Centre for Nutrition suggests including items such as bread, fruit and vegetables in a lunchbox.

Where can I find allergen information for packaged and loose pretzels?

Relevant allergenic ingredients must be labelled on packaged pretzels, and information about allergens must also be provided for loose products. This is confirmed for Germany by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Regional Identity and the Lower Saxony State Office for Consumer Protection and Food Safety. If you’re buying loose pretzels from a bakery, you can ask for allergen information before buying.

Are gluten-free pretzels also free from other allergens?

No. ‘Gluten-free’ doesn’t mean that other relevant allergens are absent. Schär Salinis, listed by REWE, contains soya lecithin and may contain traces of sesame, so if you need to avoid particular allergens, check the information on the specific pack.

How can I keep pretzels separate from other lunchbox foods?

You can keep pretzels in a separate compartment from wetter foods. The Lower Saxony State Office for Consumer Protection and Food Safety recommends lunchboxes with dividers to keep different snacks separate and clean.