For short breaks in a busy parenting day, pretzels or salt sticks are an easy store-cupboard option, provided the pack size and ingredients suit your household. Compare the salt content per 100 g separately from wholegrain and fibre information: a wholegrain option isn’t automatically low in salt. If your child will be sharing, choosing what’s suitable for their age is a separate decision — it’s not a reason to share your salted snack without checking first.
When there’s little time between appointments and household tasks, a snack that needs no preparation is handy. For your store cupboard, the most important things are a suitable pack size and somewhere to keep the rest once opened.
A larger pack may suit you if you expect to have several snack breaks; if you only eat them occasionally, a large quantity may be less practical. It’s worth treating salt sticks and pretzels as different products.
If you’re keeping an eye on salt, fibre or allergens, compare the nutritional information per 100 g and read the ingredients on the pack you buy. If children will be sharing, you’ll also need to consider what’s suitable for their age.
First, decide whether you want a snack that’s ready to grab or a pack to see you through several breaks. Then check the salt and ingredients, and consider whether it’s suitable for anyone else in your household.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Quick snack | Check that the shape and storage requirements suit short breaks. | When I only have a moment, I want to be able to grab something from the cupboard without preparing it. Around 31% of consumers prioritise having a snack readily available. |
| Pack size | Compare the pack weight and think about how you’ll store any leftovers once opened. | If I’m having several snack breaks, I want to have enough at home without leaving an open pack for too long. For around 25% of consumers, having the right amount in the cupboard is the main concern. |
| Salt and nutritional values | Compare salt and, if you’re interested, fibre — both per 100 g. | A wholegrain label on its own doesn’t tell me how much salt the snack contains. Around 25% of consumers focus primarily on salt and nutritional values. |
| Ingredients and sharing | Read the ingredients and allergen information; consider separately whether the product is suitable for children. | If someone has an allergy or a toddler wants to share, the specific pack needs to suit the situation. For around 19% of consumers, this check comes first. |
According to Lorenz, Saltletts wholegrain products contain 6.0 g of fibre and 3.5 g of salt per 100 g. So the wholegrain content doesn’t answer the question of how much salt they contain.
Check the fibre and salt figures separately in the nutrition table.
Lorenz points out that products with both the old and new labelling may be on sale at the same time. Nutritional values for own-label products can also vary depending on the supplier.
Use the label on the pack you’re actually buying to check ingredients, allergens and nutritional values.
The Gesund ins Leben network recommends limiting salt and snack products for toddlers. The fact that a salted snack isn’t sweet doesn’t make it a regular snack for children.
Keep snacks for adults separate from food chosen for children, and take their age, the product’s shape and safe serving into account.
Saltletts offers a range of salted snack shapes and pack sizes. It’s worth comparing the specific products rather than making a general judgement about the brand.
The SUNSNACKS salt sticks and pretzels described by ALDI SÜD offer two types of salted snack, each in a 250-g pack.
Lidl describes a wide range of own-label food brands. For salted snacks, the specific pack matters more than this general description of its range.
For salted snacks, information about individual ALDI SÜD products is more useful than a general overview of its own-label range.
This Joybuy selection includes Pretzel Bites, pretzels, wholegrain salt sticks and salted snack crackers. Choose based on the shape and pack size you want; check the label on each product for salt, ingredients and allergens.
Image unavailable
The 100-g pack may suit you if you’re after a smaller amount for short breaks. Before buying, compare the salt per 100 g and check the ingredients on the pack.
Image unavailable
The 250-g pack may be a good choice if you’re planning to have pretzels over several breaks. Think about how you’ll store the rest once opened, and check the nutritional information.
Image unavailable
This option may suit you if you’re specifically looking for wholegrain salt sticks. The pack contains 175 g; compare the fibre and salt figures separately using the current nutritional information.
Image unavailable
The mini shape and 150-g pack may be handy for a snack on the go. Check the ingredients and nutritional information on the specific pack, especially if anyone else will be sharing.
Image unavailable
These crackers offer a different kind of salted snack for the household. With the 200-g pack, it’s worth thinking about how you plan to use it and checking the ingredients and salt content on the label.
Either can be a handy snack for adult parents if the pack size and ingredients suit your household. Keep an eye on the salt content per 100 g, and don’t use salted snacks as a meal replacement.
No, the wholegrain label alone doesn’t tell you that. According to Lorenz, Saltletts wholegrain products contain 3.5 g of salt and 6.0 g of fibre per 100 g; for classic Saltletts Sticks, the manufacturer states 3.8 g of salt and 3.0 g of fibre per 100 g. Compare both figures on the same per-100-g basis and check the current pack.
Read the ingredients list and allergen information on each specific pack. The Lebensmittelverband Deutschland explains that allergens must be highlighted in the ingredients list; a statement such as “May contain” refers to possible accidental presence and should also be taken into account when choosing a product.
Don’t automatically treat your salted snacks as food for children. The Gesund ins Leben network recommends limiting salt and snack products for toddlers; also consider their age and how the food can be served safely. This doesn’t establish whether the product is suitable for babies.
No. As the Lebensmittelverband Deutschland explains, the best-before date isn’t an automatic ‘throw away’ date if the pack is unopened and has been stored properly. Check the product using your senses after the date has passed; don’t eat it if you notice mould or anything else unusual.