Packaged wholegrain pretzels can be a handy snack to take with you on a night shift, provided the wholegrain content is clearly stated and a small portion is enough for your break. Also check the salt, ingredients and allergen information. The German Nutrition Society (DGE) recommends keeping meals as light as possible at night, with a small snack if needed during the second half of the night. Don’t assume that a traditional fresh lye pretzel is made with wholegrain flour.
If you take pretzels to work and are specifically looking for a wholegrain option, checking the stated wholegrain content and fibre per 100 g can help you compare products. The DGE classifies wholegrain products as high-fibre foods.
If you fancy something savoury at night, you can assess the salt content separately from how much you actually eat. The DGE recommends light meals during a night shift and, if needed, a small snack during the second half of the night.
If certain ingredients are a deciding factor for you, check the label on the specific product. The wholegrain pretzels described by Alnatura and ErdmannHAUSER list wheat and barley malt extract, and may contain traces of sesame. Information can vary between products.
First decide whether a clearly stated wholegrain content or an individual fresh pretzel matters more to you. Then compare the nutritional information and ingredients for your chosen product, and check that the amount suits your break.
| Criteria | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Wholegrain and fibre | Check the wholemeal flour content in the ingredients list and compare fibre per 100 g, if stated. | If wholegrain is the reason I’m buying, I want to be able to see how much the product contains rather than relying on the product name alone. For around 33% of consumers, this is the top priority. |
| Portion size and break time | Think about how much you’ll take for your break, especially during the second half of the night. The DGE recommends keeping meals as light as possible at night. | During a late break, I want to plan just a small snack and decide for myself how much to eat. Around 27% of consumers prioritise portion size. |
| Salt and allergens | Compare salt per 100 g and read the ingredients and allergen information for the specific product. | If I need to watch my salt intake or avoid certain ingredients, the word ‘wholegrain’ isn’t enough to help me decide. For around 27% of consumers, this check takes priority. |
| Taking it with you and storage | Choose a pack that’s suitable for your commute and follow its storage instructions. Check the specific product details before buying. | If I can’t prepare food during my break, I want a snack that’s easy to take with me and store. This is the top priority for around 13% of consumers. |
The product name alone doesn’t tell you the exact wholegrain content or fibre level. Alnatura states that its wholegrain pretzels contain 81% wholemeal wheat flour; ErdmannHAUSER states 88% for its wholegrain crunchy pretzels.
Check the ingredients list and compare fibre per 100 g for packaged pretzels.
ErdmannHAUSER’s label lists 5.6 g of salt per 100 g. And a pretzel without salt sprinkled on top isn’t automatically salt-free.
Compare the salt per 100 g and take into account how much you actually eat during your break.
The DGE recommends keeping meals as light as possible during a night shift and, if needed, having a small snack rather than a meal during the second half of the night.
Portion your pretzels to suit your appetite and break time instead of treating the whole pack as one serving.
The wholegrain options described contain wheat and barley malt extract, and may also contain traces of sesame. The word ‘wholegrain’ doesn’t tell you whether a product is suitable for someone with an allergy.
If you need to avoid certain ingredients or traces, check the current label on the specific product before buying.
Packaged wholegrain salted pretzels for comparing ingredients and pack sizes.
Crunchy wholegrain wheat pretzels with stated wholegrain content and nutritional information.
A fresh, traditional lye pretzel if having an individual, ready-to-eat pretzel matters more than a clearly labelled wholegrain option.
These packaged pretzels are worth considering if you’re looking for an option to take with you on a night shift and want to check the specific wholegrain ingredients before buying. For a late break, it’s still important to choose your own portion size.
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A packaged option if you want to take pretzels to your shift and compare the stated wholegrain content.
For this 125 g option, Alnatura states that it contains 81% wholemeal wheat flour. Choose a portion for your break and check the salt and ingredients on the current pack.
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A packaged spelt pretzel with sesame if you’d like to take this option with you for a break.
The pack contains 125 g. Before buying, compare the wholegrain content, fibre and salt information on the specific pack, and check the ingredients label.
No. Wholegrain content alone doesn’t determine whether a snack is suitable for a night shift. The DGE recommends keeping meals as light as possible at night and having a small snack if needed during the second half of the night. So check the pretzel’s portion size, salt and ingredients too.
Look at the ingredients list for the specific pretzel. Alnatura states that its wholegrain pretzels contain 81% wholemeal wheat flour, while ErdmannHAUSER states 88% for its wholegrain crunchy pretzels. You can also compare fibre per 100 g to check the nutritional value.
No. Not having salt sprinkled on top doesn’t tell you the total salt content. Check the salt per 100 g in the nutritional information for the specific product.
Always check the ingredients and allergen information for the specific product. The wholegrain pretzels described list wheat and barley malt extract, and may contain traces of sesame. If you need to avoid any of these, check the current label before every purchase.
Follow the storage instructions on the pack. If you’re only taking part of the pack with you for a shift, also check how to store it after opening.