If popcorn is part of your Oktoberfest celebrations, compare the protein in a protein product per portion you’ll actually eat, and check the sugar, salt and fat too. Making your own popcorn and choosing a separate source of protein gives you more control over the ingredients and seasoning. Savoury protein snacks are an option only if it doesn’t have to be popcorn. The German Nutrition Society does not consider increased protein intake necessary for adult recreational athletes who do four to five 30-minute sessions of moderate-intensity exercise each week.
You want to keep an eye on protein in your Oktoberfest snack without treating one snack as representative of your overall diet. The German Nutrition Society says that adult recreational athletes doing four to five 30-minute sessions of moderate-intensity exercise each week do not need to increase their protein intake.
You want to know how much protein, energy, sugar and salt you’ll actually get from a bag or a shared bowl. To work this out, consider both the nutrition information per 100 g and the portion you’ll eat.
You want to choose the seasoning and ingredients yourself, and pick a separate source of protein if you need one. REWE describes how to make popcorn with corn, oil and either salt or sugar.
First decide whether popcorn itself is the main thing you’re after, or whether another crunchy snack would do. Then compare the portion you’re likely to eat, rather than judging the product by the front of the pack alone.
A good fit if: you’re looking for ready-to-eat popcorn with a stated protein value.
The trade-off: A protein claim is no substitute for checking the full nutrition and ingredients information on the specific pack.
A good fit if: popcorn and your choice of seasoning matter more to you than a protein claim on the snack.
The trade-off: You’ll need to plan the preparation and any additional food yourself.
A good fit if: a crunchy snack is all you need and it doesn’t have to be popcorn.
The trade-off: Crisps or corn snacks are different foods, so compare their ingredients, salt and portion size separately.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Protein per portion | Protein per 100 g and the amount in the portion you’ll actually eat. | After exercise, I want to work out how much protein my snack really provides. This portion value is the main priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Other nutritional values | Sugar, salt, fat and energy per 100 g, as well as in the portion you’ll eat. | A protein claim isn’t enough for me if I also want to compare the other nutritional values in my snack. This is the main concern for around 20% of consumers. |
| A snack to share | Flavour, pack size and whether it’s suitable for sharing. | For a shared snack bowl, flavour and a suitable quantity matter more to me than a protein claim. This is the priority for around 20% of consumers. |
| Control over ingredients | Ingredients and allergen information for ready-made products; seasoning and your chosen protein source if making it yourself. | I want to decide for myself what goes into the popcorn and what goes on the table alongside it. This is the main reason for buying for around 27% of consumers. |
On its own, it doesn’t tell you whether the sugar, salt, fat and energy are right for the portion you’ll eat.
Read the nutrition information per 100 g and work out the values for your actual portion.
According to funny-frisch, Protein Chips Barbecue Style contain 21 g of protein per 100 g, but 6.2 g per stated 30 g portion. This is a different product from the lentil chips listed below.
Check the portion size for the specific snack, and allow for it if you eat more than one portion.
The German Nutrition Society says adult recreational athletes doing four to five 30-minute sessions of moderate-intensity exercise each week do not need to increase their protein intake.
Choose protein popcorn based on its flavour, ingredients and nutritional values per portion. If you make popcorn yourself, you can choose a suitable source of protein to have alongside it.
Whether a product is suitable for a particular diet or intolerance depends on its specific ingredients. funny-frisch notes that its Protein Chips Barbecue Style may contain milk.
If you have allergies or specific dietary requirements, read the ingredients and allergen information on the pack of the product you’ve chosen.
Up Energy Protein Popcorn is an option if you’re specifically looking for ready-portioned protein popcorn.
Protein Chips Barbecue Style are a savoury snack alternative, but they’re not popcorn.
Heimatgut is one of the popcorn brands worth considering when comparing classic options in the REWE range.
MAX BALANCE is relevant if you want to choose a separate protein option to have alongside popcorn, rather than as a popcorn brand.
Here, popcorn kernels, sweet popcorn, savoury crisps and corn snacks are brought together for different snacking plans. The crisps and corn snacks aren’t popcorn; if you want to compare protein values, base your comparison on the amount you’ll eat of each product.
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A savoury corn snack to share if popcorn isn’t a must. The tray contains six 50 g bags; compare the nutrition information with the amount you’ll actually eat.
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For making your own popcorn when you want to choose the seasoning and select a separate source of protein. The pack contains 500 g of popcorn kernels; the nutritional values of the amount you eat also depend on the ingredients used to prepare it.
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Sweet popcorn for sharing when popcorn itself is the star of the snack. The pack contains 120 g; check the nutrition information and your portion size when comparing protein and sugar.
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Another sweet popcorn option if you’re choosing a snack to share. The pack contains 150 g; work out the nutritional values per 100 g for the portion you plan to eat.
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Lentil crisps instead of popcorn for anyone who prefers a savoury snack. The pack contains 90 g; if you have specific ingredient or allergen requirements, check the information on this exact pack.
The claim alone doesn’t tell you how much protein is in the portion you’ll eat. Compare the protein per 100 g with the pack contents and portion size, and check the other nutrition information too.
According to the German Nutrition Society, adult recreational athletes doing four to five 30-minute sessions of moderate-intensity exercise each week don’t need to increase their protein intake. Protein popcorn is therefore not essential after this type of workout.
Yes, you can make popcorn yourself and choose a separate food to suit your taste and diet. REWE describes popcorn made with corn, oil and either salt or sugar; the German Nutrition Society lists dairy products, eggs and pulses among sources of protein.
Check the ingredients and allergen information for the specific product instead of assuming it’s suitable based on terms such as “protein snack”. For example, funny-frisch notes that its Protein Chips Barbecue Style may contain milk; this information shouldn’t be applied to other crisps from the brand.