Who is this selection relevant to?

Night shift workers who keep an eye on protein after training

You want to know how much protein your planned snack portion contains, so you compare the protein and energy values using the same basis.

Night shift workers who prefer a small portion

You don’t want to eat a large bag during the night, so you pay particular attention to portion size, fat and salt.

People with short breaks

You need a snack that you can prepare during your break or eat straight away. Preparation instructions, portion size and ingredients all matter.

What should you look for when buying?

First decide whether you specifically want popcorn or would also consider another popped snack. Then compare the nutritional information and plan your portion for your break.

Criterion What to check when buying Who it matters to
Protein content Compare protein and energy values per 100 g or for the same portion; check the type of product too. After training, I want to know how much protein my snack actually contains. For around 42% of consumers, a verifiable protein content like this comes first.
Small night-time portion Check the pack size, as well as fat and salt per 100 g, and take into account how much you plan to eat. In the middle of my shift, I only want a small portion, rather than planning to eat a whole bag. A manageable night-time portion is the priority for around 33% of consumers.
Suitable for a break Check the preparation method and ingredients list; for microwave popcorn, follow the instructions for power and cooking time. I need to be able to prepare it at work during my short break, and the ingredients need to suit me. For around 25% of consumers, convenience during a break is the main consideration.

Which common mistakes can you avoid?

  • Assuming “protein” means “high in protein”

    A product name or the amount of protein in grams alone doesn’t tell you what proportion of its energy comes from protein. Under EU Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, the claim “high protein” requires at least 20% of the energy value to come from protein.

    Compare protein and energy using the same basis. For values given in kcal, calculate the proportion by multiplying the protein in grams by 4 kcal, then dividing by the total energy value in kcal.

  • Thinking of the whole pack as a small night-time portion

    With popcorn, the amount of energy, fat and salt you consume depends on how much you actually eat. The German Nutrition Society recommends choosing light meals during the night shift.

    Check the pack size and nutritional values per 100 g, then decide before your break how much you want to eat.

  • Confusing popcorn with Pop Chips

    The documented KoRo Protein Pop Chips are a popped snack alternative, but they aren’t popcorn. Their protein content therefore doesn’t answer the question of which popcorn to choose.

    Before comparing nutritional values, decide whether popcorn is a must-have for you, and compare only products in the category you want.

  • Overlooking the ingredients in protein snacks

    The KoRo Protein Pop Chips Sour Cream listed by REWE contain milk ingredients. Calling something a protein snack is no substitute for checking its recipe.

    If you need to avoid certain ingredients, check the ingredients list and allergen information on the specific pack.

Brands and product ranges to consider

The information below relates to the specific products named. Protein chips and Pop Chips are alternatives to popcorn, not the same type of product.

KoRo

The Protein Pop Chips Sour Cream listed by REWE are a popped snack, but not popcorn.

  • REWE states that they contain 21 g of protein and 403 kcal per 100 g. This works out at around 20.8% of the energy value from protein.
  • According to REWE, this flavour contains 2.9 g of salt per 100 g, as well as milk ingredients.

funny-frisch

Protein Chips Barbecue Style are a savoury alternative to crisps, not popcorn.

  • funny-frisch states that this flavour contains 21 g of protein per 100 g.
  • At 443 kcal per 100 g, this works out at around 19% of the energy value from protein. The flavour contains 1.9 g of salt per 100 g and may contain milk.

EDEKA GUT&GÜNSTIG

The salted microwave popcorn is popcorn to prepare, but there’s no evidence that it’s a high-protein option.

  • EDEKA states that it contains 8.1 g of protein per 100 g; at 430 kcal, that works out at around 7.5% of the energy value from protein.
  • According to EDEKA, the product contains 21 g of fat and 2.5 g of salt per 100 g. Always use the information on the specific pack when deciding whether to buy.

Joybuy products on this topic

Suitable products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Does “protein popcorn” automatically mean “high in protein”?

No, the product name alone doesn’t prove that it’s high in protein. Under EU Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, at least 20% of the energy value must come from protein to make this claim. Compare the protein and energy values using the same basis.

Can a high-protein snack replace a meal during the night shift?

You shouldn’t plan a snack portion as a complete meal just because it’s high in protein. The German Nutrition Society recommends choosing light meals during the night shift, so check the portion size and other nutritional values too.

How do I prepare microwave popcorn during my break?

Follow the power and cooking time instructions on the relevant pack. For the documented microwave popcorn, EDEKA gives a cooking time of 1.5 to 3 minutes, depending on the microwave’s power. This guidance doesn’t apply to other products.

What should I look out for if I avoid milk ingredients?

Check the ingredients list and allergen information for the specific snack rather than assuming you know what it contains based on the product category. The KoRo Protein Pop Chips Sour Cream listed by REWE contain, among other things, whey powder, lactose, milk powder and cheese powder.