Parents planning their snack portions
If you only have a short break between family commitments, kcal per 100 g can help you compare products. The amount of energy you get from a snack will then depend on your portion size.
Who should compare these products?
Parents who also keep an eye on salt
With salty snacks, it’s not just the energy content that matters, but also the amount of salt in the portion you eat. Lorenz lists 3.5 g of salt per 100 g for its wholemeal sticks and 3.8 g for its classic sticks.
Households keeping adult and baby food separate
If allergies are a concern in your household or your baby joins you at the table, check the ingredients on the specific pack. The salty snacks covered here are intended for adults, not as weaning foods for babies.
What should you look for when buying?
Start by comparing products in the same snack category using their nutritional values per 100 g. Your planned portion and the ingredient information will help you work out which differences matter to you when choosing a snack.
| Criteria | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Energy and portion size | Compare kcal per 100 g and decide on your portion before you eat. | If I’m planning just a short snack break, I want to know how much I’ll actually eat from the pack. For around 33% of consumers, the energy content of their portion is the main consideration. |
| Salt | Check the grams of salt per 100 g and calculate the amount for your portion. | I want to consider a salty snack alongside the other foods I eat that day. Around 27% of consumers mainly pay attention to the amount of salt. |
| Fibre and nutritional values | Compare fibre and kcal together; wholemeal alone doesn’t mean a lower energy content. | If I’m choosing between classic and wholemeal sticks, I want to know how their nutritional values differ, even if there’s no reduction in calories. For around 20% of consumers, this is the most important reason for comparing products. |
| Ingredients and suitability | Read the ingredients and allergen information on the pack, and keep adult snacks separate from weaning foods. | In our household, I need to be able to identify the ingredients in the snack and make sure it isn’t meant for the baby. This distinction is the top priority for around 20% of consumers. |
Common comparison mistakes
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Assuming wholemeal means fewer calories
According to the manufacturer, Lorenz wholemeal sticks contain 392 kcal per 100 g, compared with 391 kcal for its classic sticks. For these two products, the difference in fibre and salt is greater than the difference in energy content.
If kcal matter most to you, compare the energy figures first, then look at the other nutritional values.
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Counting the whole pack as one portion
Even a small difference per 100 g tells you little about your snack break if you don’t know how much you’ll eat. With Lorenz classic sticks, 30 g works out at around 117 kcal.
Measure out the amount you want before eating, rather than estimating your portion from an opened pack.
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Comparing only kcal and overlooking salt
According to Lorenz, EDEKA24 and ALDI SÜD, the branded products covered here contain between 3.5 and 4.5 g of salt per 100 g. A lower energy content therefore doesn’t tell you how much salt a product contains.
Compare both figures on the same basis and take into account how much you plan to eat.
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Planning adult snacks as weaning foods
Salty pretzels and sticks made for adults are not suitable as weaning snacks. The Verbraucherzentrale recommends avoiding added salt in weaning foods.
Keep these snacks separate from food for babies and choose age-appropriate foods for weaning.
Key brands to consider
Lorenz / Saltletts
For comparison, the classic Saltletts Sticks and Saltletts Wholemeal Sticks are worth considering.
- Per 100 g, Lorenz lists 391 kcal, 3.8 g of salt and 3.0 g of fibre for classic sticks; its wholemeal sticks contain 392 kcal, 3.5 g of salt and 6.0 g of fibre.
- The wholemeal sticks are therefore not lower in calories than the classic sticks. Check the information on the pack you buy in case the recipe differs.
Gut & Günstig
The EDEKA own-brand salted pretzels give you another product to compare within the salted pretzel category.
- EDEKA24 lists 397 kcal and 4.5 g of salt per 100 g for the 250 g pack.
- If you’re choosing between salted pretzels and pretzel sticks, consider your preferred portion size as well as these nutritional values.
SUNSNACKS
ALDI SÜD salted pretzels are another specific pretzel option to include in a nutritional comparison.
- ALDI SÜD lists 408 kcal and 4.4 g of salt per 100 g for the 250 g pack.
- Different suppliers may be used, so the nutritional values on the pack may differ from the published figures.
Salted pretzels and pretzel sticks at Joybuy
This selection includes classic and wholemeal pretzel sticks, as well as salted pretzels for adults to enjoy during a snack break. Compare the nutritional information on each pack, especially if you’re keeping an eye on portion size or salt content.
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Lorenz Saltletts wholemeal pretzel sticks, 175 g
For adults who want to compare fibre and salt as well as other nutritional values in pretzel sticks. For this wholemeal variety, Lorenz lists 392 kcal, 3.5 g of salt and 6.0 g of fibre per 100 g; always check the information on the specific pack.
The product description lists wheat and barley, and warns that it may contain traces of sesame. Check the pack if you have allergies; this product is not suitable as a weaning food for babies.
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Alnatura organic wholemeal salted pretzels, 125 g
For adults who want to compare energy, salt and fibre in salted pretzels. The product information lists 391 kcal, 3.3 g of salt and 10 g of fibre per 100 g.
The description lists wheat and barley, as well as sesame as an ingredient. Check the specific pack if you have allergies; this product is not suitable as a weaning food for babies.
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Lorenz Saltletts Classic pretzel sticks, 250 g
For adults who want to portion out classic pretzel sticks. Lorenz lists 391 kcal and 3.8 g of salt per 100 g for these sticks; 30 g works out at around 117 kcal and 1.14 g of salt. Check these figures against the specific pack.
The product description lists wheat and barley malt extract. Check the ingredients and any may-contain warnings on the pack; this product is not suitable as a weaning food for babies.
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Jeden Tag pretzel sticks, 250 g
For adults who want to compare pretzel sticks using the nutritional information per 100 g. The product information lists 382 kcal and 4.0 g of salt per 100 g; your portion size will determine how much of each you consume.
The ingredients list wheat and barley, and warn that the product may contain traces of sesame. The description warns of a choking hazard for small children; this product is not suitable as a weaning food for babies.
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Jeden Tag salted pretzels, 250 g
For adults choosing salted pretzels based on energy and salt content. The product information lists 384 kcal and 5.0 g of salt per 100 g, so check both figures against your planned portion.
The description lists wheat and warns that the product may contain traces of sesame. Check the specific pack if you have allergies; this product is not suitable as a weaning food for babies.
Frequently asked questions
Are pretzel sticks with around 390 kcal per 100 g automatically low in calories?
No, this figure alone doesn’t mean they can be generally classed as ‘low calorie’. For comparison, Lorenz lists 391 kcal per 100 g for classic sticks and 392 kcal for wholemeal sticks; the amount you actually eat also determines how much energy you consume.
What should I compare besides kcal in salted pretzels and pretzel sticks?
Pay particular attention to salt per 100 g, your planned portion size and the ingredients. For the branded products covered here, Lorenz, EDEKA24 and ALDI SÜD list between 3.5 and 4.5 g of salt per 100 g; the figure on another product’s pack may differ.
Are salted pretzels suitable as a weaning food for my baby?
No, you shouldn’t give salty snacks intended for adults as weaning foods. The Verbraucherzentrale recommends avoiding added salt in weaning foods; choose age-appropriate foods for babies instead.
How can I check for allergens in a salty snack?
Read the ingredients list and allergen information on the specific pack. Depending on the product, the items covered here may contain wheat, barley or sesame; a warning about possible traces is different from listing something as an ingredient.