People who keep an eye on portion size
If you’re planning to have a pretzel for a quick lunch, you need to know its weight as well as the kcal per 100 g. That’s the only way to work out the energy content of the portion you’ll eat.
Who needs to focus on which comparison?
People who keep an eye on salt
For them, the salt content of the specific product and whether extra salt is supplied separately are important. Less salt sprinkled on top doesn’t automatically mean there’s less salt in the dough.
People who bake pretzels before heading out
You can prepare frozen pretzels before you leave. Just make sure the thawing and baking times fit into your day. You can check the ingredients, allergen information and nutrition values on the packaging.
What should you look for when buying?
For lunch on the go, start by checking the portion size and the state the nutrition information refers to. Then consider the salt content, preparation time and ingredients to find a pretzel that suits your needs.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who should pay particular attention |
|---|---|---|
| Energy per pretzel | Compare the kcal per 100 g with the weight of each pretzel, and make sure you’re comparing the same state. | If a pretzel is my lunch, I want to know the energy content of the whole portion. Around 36% of consumers would consider this their most important buying criterion. |
| Salt | Check the salt per 100 g and see whether salt for sprinkling is supplied separately. | If my lunch includes other salty foods, I want to know how much salt is in the pretzel. Around 29% of consumers would prioritise salt. |
| Preparation | Check whether the pretzel is ready to eat from the counter or needs baking, and, if it does, check the preparation time. | If I need to eat straight away while I’m out, I can’t prepare a frozen pretzel first. Around 21% of consumers would put being ready to eat straight away first. |
| Ingredients and allergens | For packaged products, read the ingredients and allergen information; at the counter, ask for the specific allergen information. | If I need to avoid certain ingredients, the words ‘soft pretzel’ aren’t enough to tell me what’s in it. Around 14% of consumers would make checking ingredients and allergens their main concern. |
Common comparison pitfalls
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Assuming ‘low calorie’ means a lower value than another product
Annex to EU Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 sets a limit of 40 kcal per 100 g for the claim ‘low energy’ on solid foods. The examples listed by EDEKA and ALDI SÜD, at 209 and 314 kcal per 100 g respectively, are above this limit.
Compare the stated values, but don’t assume that a relative difference means a product can be described as ‘low energy’.
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Comparing only the kcal per 100 g
You eat a pretzel, not necessarily a 100 g portion. Ditsch lists its retail pretzel as weighing 100 g each and containing 271 kcal per 100 g. The portion calculation will be different for a pretzel of another weight.
Check the weight of each pretzel and calculate the kcal for the amount you’ll actually eat.
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Assuming the salt for sprinkling is the total salt content
Salt supplied separately lets you control how much you sprinkle on top. It doesn’t tell you how much salt is already in the pretzel itself.
Also check the salt per 100 g and take any toppings or sides into account.
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Assuming you know the ingredients from the words ‘soft pretzel’
Ingredients and allergen information vary between products. For its listed bake-at-home product, EDEKA names wheat and soya, and notes that it may contain traces of other allergens.
Check the information on the specific packaging, or ask for allergen information when buying loose products.
Relevant brands and product ranges
Ditsch
Ditsch offers soft pretzels to eat straight away, as well as retail products.
- Ditsch lists 303 kcal and 2.05 g of salt per 100 g for its shop soft pretzel. Its retail pretzel, which weighs 100 g each, is listed at 271 kcal and 2.02 g of salt per 100 g.
- The shop pretzel and retail pretzel are different products. Don’t apply their nutrition values to other Ditsch pretzels.
GUT&GÜNSTIG bei EDEKA
The soft pretzels covered here are frozen and intended for baking at home; salt for sprinkling is included.
- EDEKA lists 209 kcal and 3.3 g of salt per 100 g for this product.
- The pretzels need to be prepared before eating. Check the information on the pack you buy.
MEINE BACKWELT bei ALDI SÜD
The Swabian-style soft pretzel covered here is sold freshly baked from the counter.
- ALDI SÜD lists 314 kcal and 1.6 g of salt per 100 g for this product.
- ALDI SÜD notes that it may use different suppliers, so nutrition values may vary.
GOLDÄHREN bei ALDI Nord
The range includes frozen soft pretzels and pretzel sticks for baking at home.
- ALDI Nord lists, among other options, a pack of 10 soft pretzels with a total weight of 868 g.
- For calorie and salt comparisons, use the nutrition information on the specific pack.
Suitable products on Joybuy
Suitable products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
Does a soft pretzel with fewer kcal count as ‘low energy’?
No. A lower value than another pretzel isn’t enough. Under the Annex to EU Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, the claim ‘low energy’ for solid foods is limited to a maximum of 40 kcal per 100 g. The EDEKA and ALDI SÜD products compared here are above this limit, at 209 and 314 kcal per 100 g respectively.
How do I calculate the kcal in one pretzel?
Multiply the kcal per 100 g by the weight of the pretzel in grams, then divide the result by 100. Ditsch lists its retail pretzel as weighing 100 g and containing 271 kcal per 100 g, giving 271 kcal for that pretzel. You can’t calculate the portion value in the same way without knowing its weight.
Does leaving off the salt supplied separately change the total salt content?
It reduces the extra salt sprinkled on top, if the preparation instructions let you control how much you use. You should still check the nutrition information on the specific pack to find out how much salt is in the pretzel itself.
Where can I find allergen information for a pretzel from the counter?
Ask at the counter for allergen information about the specific product. The words ‘soft pretzel’ alone don’t tell you which ingredients or trace warnings apply to that pretzel. For packaged products, check the labelling on the pack.
Are bake-at-home pretzels suitable for lunch on the go?
Yes, if you can prepare them before you leave. For the frozen product covered here, EDEKA recommends baking it in the oven for around 15–16 minutes after thawing. If you’re buying something on the spur of the moment to eat straight away, a ready-to-eat pretzel is a better choice.