Who is this choice relevant to?

Students focused on protein after a workout

You want to know how much protein the foods you choose contribute to dinner, rather than relying on the word ‘protein’ on a pack.

Students with limited kitchen equipment

You choose between a microwave bag and loose popcorn kernels based on what you can prepare with the equipment you have.

Snack seekers open to different products

A crunchy snack with a stated protein content matters more to you than choosing popcorn specifically. That means other types of snack are also an option.

What should you look for when buying?

First, decide whether popcorn is going to be part of your dinner or whether you’re really looking for a ready-to-eat snack. Then compare the nutritional information and check what you can prepare in your kitchen.

Criterion What to check Who it matters to
Protein content Compare protein and energy values per 100 g; don’t assume a product is ‘high in protein’ based on the grams of protein alone. If protein is my main priority at dinner, I want to be able to interpret the information on the pack. Around 36% of consumers are likely to put this check first.
Role in the meal Think of popcorn as one part of the meal, and assess your other source of protein and planned portions separately. I want to have popcorn with dinner without treating a snack as the whole meal. This combination is likely to be a priority for around 29% of consumers.
Preparation For microwave popcorn, follow the bag instructions and check the wattage; for loose kernels, check the recommended preparation method. If you have limited kitchen equipment, the preparation method needs to suit the appliances you have. This is likely to be the most important buying criterion for around 21% of consumers.
Flavour and product type Compare the ingredients, salt and fat on the pack, and decide between popcorn and other savoury snacks. If flavour or a particular type of snack matters more to me, I want to make a conscious choice to switch categories. Around 14% of consumers are likely to focus on this.

Common misconceptions

  • Assuming ‘contains protein’ means ‘high in protein’

    Under Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, a product can only be described as ‘high in protein’ if at least 20% of its energy value comes from protein. The number of grams alone doesn’t answer this question.

    Compare protein and energy values using the same basis, such as per 100 g, and check the specific nutritional information.

  • Planning popcorn as the dinner’s sole source of protein

    Popcorn can contribute protein, but the product category alone doesn’t tell you how much a real serving contributes to your planned meal.

    Decide what role you want popcorn to play on your plate, then choose a separate source of protein. ALDI SÜD, for example, lists lentils, beans and chickpeas as plant-based sources of protein.

  • Focusing only on the cooking time for microwave popcorn

    For its salted microwave popcorn, EDEKA lists 2.5 g of salt and 21 g of fat per 100 g. Values for other products should be checked separately.

    As well as the cooking instructions, check the nutritional information per 100 g and the recommended serving size.

  • Assuming online information matches the current pack label

    EDEKA points out that information on product pages may differ from the packaging.

    For the specific pack, check the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information in particular.

Brands to consider

REWE

REWE offers examples of loose popcorn kernels and microwave popcorn. Its range illustrates the choice between preparing popcorn yourself and using a microwave bag.

  • Depending on the product, different ways of preparing the popcorn kernels are described, including cooking in hot oil or in a suitable lidded microwave container.
  • The preparation method doesn’t tell you whether a product is high in protein; the nutritional information for the specific product is what matters.

EDEKA / GUT&GÜNSTIG

The salted microwave popcorn is an example of a popcorn option whose protein, salt and fat content can all be compared.

  • EDEKA lists 8.1 g of protein per 100 g for its salted microwave popcorn.
  • EDEKA also lists 2.5 g of salt and 21 g of fat per 100 g. The information on the specific pack is what matters when you buy.

funny-frisch

The Protein Chips are an alternative for anyone looking for a crunchy snack who isn’t set on popcorn.

  • According to funny-frisch, the Protein Chips contain 21 g of protein per 100 g.
  • They’re crisps, not popcorn. The manufacturer’s stated protein content doesn’t, by itself, tell you whether they’re suitable as a complete dinner.

Suitable product options at Joybuy

Here, popcorn kernels for you to prepare yourself sit alongside Flips as an alternative type of snack. For a protein-focused dinner, deciding what else to include in the meal is still up to you.

Alnatura Organic Popping Corn Kernels, 500 g

Alnatura Organic Popping Corn Kernels, 500 g

Popcorn kernels for anyone who wants to make popcorn themselves and serve it as part of dinner. Before you start, check what equipment and ingredients you’ll need.

View at Joybuy
ahead Protein Flips Paprika, pack of 6 × 50 g

ahead Protein Flips Paprika, pack of 6 × 50 g

An option if you’d prefer Flips as a savoury snack instead of popcorn. The name ‘Protein Flips’ doesn’t replace checking the nutritional information or planning the rest of your dinner.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

When can popcorn be described as ‘high in protein’?

Under Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, this claim is permitted if at least 20% of the product’s energy value comes from protein. So compare protein and energy values using the same basis; grams of protein per 100 g alone aren’t enough to make this assessment.

Is ordinary microwave popcorn enough as a source of protein after a workout?

You shouldn’t plan on ordinary microwave popcorn as your only source of protein just because of its product type. REWE lists 8 g of protein and 364 kcal per 100 g for Seeberger salted microwave popcorn; that means around 8.8% of its energy value comes from protein. Assess the serving you plan to eat and the other parts of your dinner separately.

What should I bear in mind when preparing microwave popcorn?

Follow the instructions on the specific bag and take your microwave’s power rating into account. Open the hot bag so that the escaping steam is directed away from you.

Which nutritional information should I trust if the website and pack differ?

Check the label on the pack you actually receive. EDEKA points out that the information on its product pages may differ from what’s on the packaging.