Travellers comparing calories
You want a savoury snack for the train and compare energy figures rather than relying on terms such as ‘wholegrain’ alone.
Who is this comparison for?
Commuters planning their portions
You’re looking for an amount you can take with you without repacking for a short or medium-length journey.
Travellers keeping an eye on salt and ingredients
As well as calories, you want to check the salt content, or you need to pay close attention to ingredients and allergen information, such as details about wheat, sesame or milk.
What should you look for when buying?
Start by comparing the nutritional information per 100 g. Then decide what pack size suits your journey, and check the salt and ingredients on the product you’re planning to buy.
| What to check | Check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Energy | Compare kcal per 100 g on a like-for-like basis and plan how much you want to eat. | When choosing a snack for the train, I want to understand its energy content rather than rely on the pack size. For around 42% of consumers, this comparison comes first. |
| Pack size | Check the net weight and whether the pack suits the amount you’re planning to take with you. | For a shorter journey, I don’t want to pack more than I’m likely to eat. Around 33% of consumers prioritise a handy portion size. |
| Salt and ingredients | Check the salt per 100 g, as well as the ingredients and allergen information on the actual pack. | If I need to watch my salt intake or avoid certain ingredients, a suitable kcal figure isn’t enough on its own. Checking salt and ingredients is a priority for around 25% of consumers. |
Which mistakes can you avoid?
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Assuming ‘wholegrain’ means fewer calories
Wholegrain describes an ingredient, not the energy content. The pretzel shape alone doesn’t tell you anything about kcal per 100 g either.
Compare the nutritional information for the specific products, then decide how much to take for your journey.
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Overlooking salt when comparing calories
EDEKA24 states that Gut & Günstig salted pretzels contain 4.5 g of salt per 100 g, while ALDI SÜD lists 4.51 g for SUNSNACKS salted pretzels. The German Nutrition Society gives up to 6 g of table salt per day as a guideline.
Check the salt as well as the energy content, and take into account how much you actually want to eat.
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Relying on allergen information from a similar pack
Wheat is an ingredient in the Gut & Günstig salted pretzels described by EDEKA24; possible traces of sesame and milk are also listed. Information can vary between products.
If you have allergies, always check the ingredients and allergen information on the exact pack you’re buying.
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Assuming a particular snack will be available on board
According to Deutsche Bahn, its digital menu shows the food and drinks currently available on board.
If you’re planning to have a particular snack on your journey, check the current on-board menu or choose your pack before you set off.
Brands to help you choose
Gut & Günstig / EDEKA
The information from EDEKA24 relates to Gut & Günstig salted pretzels in a 250 g pack.
- EDEKA24 lists 397 kcal and 4.5 g of salt per 100 g, along with the ingredients and possible traces of sesame and milk.
- These figures apply to this product and don’t establish a general calorie advantage for the brand.
SUNSNACKS / ALDI SÜD
ALDI SÜD lists information for SUNSNACKS salted pretzels with sea salt in a 250 g pack.
- ALDI SÜD lists 397 kcal, 4.51 g of salt and 4.2 g of fibre per 100 g.
- ALDI SÜD notes that different suppliers may be used. So check the information on the pack you’re actually buying.
Lorenz Saltletts
Lorenz offers a range of Saltletts products, including sticks and PausenCracker in different pack sizes.
- According to Lorenz, Saltletts Sticks come in 75 g and 150 g bags, while PausenCracker are available in a 40 g To-Go format.
- A smaller pack doesn’t mean fewer calories per 100 g. Check the nutritional information for the specific product to compare.
Bahlsen
Bahlsen describes its Blätterbrezeln as puff pastry biscuits with caramelised sugar.
- This sweet option doesn’t belong in a direct comparison of classic savoury pretzel snacks just because it’s pretzel-shaped.
Pretzel snacks at Joybuy
This selection includes pretzel sticks, salted pretzels and savoury pretzel snacks. For a train journey, it’s worth assessing the pack size and the information on the specific nutritional table separately.
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Jeden Tag salted pretzel sticks 250 g
If you’re planning to take pretzel sticks on your journey, you can start with a 250 g pack and decide on your portion in advance. Compare the energy and salt information on the pack to help you choose; if you have allergies, the ingredient information is important too.
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Alnatura organic wholegrain salted pretzels 125 g
The 125 g pack may suit you if you’re looking for a smaller amount to take with you than a 250 g pack. Wholegrain doesn’t automatically mean fewer calories; check the energy, salt and ingredients on the specific pack.
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Lorenz Saltletts salted pretzels 200 g
These salted pretzels could be a good option if you want to take a 200 g pack with you. When comparing their calories with other pretzels, it’s the energy per 100 g that counts, not just the net weight. Remember to check the salt and allergen information too.
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Jeden Tag salted pretzels 250 g
If you’re looking for classic salted pretzels, plan how much you want to eat during your journey from this 250 g pack. Before buying, check the nutritional and allergen information, as well as the packaging if how easy it is to handle on the train matters to you.
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Lorenz Saltletts Pausensnack, salted pretzel pieces 100 g
The 100 g pack gives you a set amount to take on your journey. That doesn’t automatically make it lower in calories than a larger pack: compare the energy per 100 g and check the salt and allergen information if needed.
Frequently asked questions
Are classic salted pretzels automatically low in calories?
No. The type of product or a single energy figure isn’t enough to class them as low in calories across the board. EDEKA24 lists 397 kcal per 100 g for Gut & Günstig salted pretzels, and ALDI SÜD gives the same figure for SUNSNACKS salted pretzels. Compare specific products on a like-for-like basis when choosing.
How should I take the salt content of salted pretzels into account?
Compare the salt per 100 g and factor in how much you plan to eat on your journey. EDEKA24 lists 4.5 g per 100 g for Gut & Günstig salted pretzels, while ALDI SÜD gives 4.51 g for SUNSNACKS salted pretzels. The German Nutrition Society gives up to 6 g of table salt per day as a guideline.
Is a small To-Go pack the lower-calorie option?
Not just because it’s smaller. A smaller pack can make portion planning easier, but it doesn’t tell you the energy per 100 g. For example, Lorenz lists a 40 g To-Go format for PausenCracker; to compare calories, you’ll need the nutritional information for the specific product.
Can I plan to buy a particular snack from the on-board menu for my train journey?
Check the current menu if you have a particular snack in mind. Deutsche Bahn says its digital menu shows the food and drinks currently available on board. Once you’ve decided what you want, you can also choose the pack you need before your journey.