If you want to snack on popcorn with less fat, compare the fat content of the product you’ll actually eat and your own portion, rather than relying on words such as plain or light. With loose kernels, the oil used to prepare them counts too; with ready-to-eat varieties, sugar and saturated fat are also worth checking separately. The European Commission sets a maximum of 3 g of fat per 100 g for a ‘low-fat’ claim on solid foods. This is different from having less fat than another product.
You want to keep eating popcorn, but are mainly watching your total fat intake and portion size. Compare the label with your portion; the European Commission uses nutritional values per 100 g as a basis for comparison. Albert Heijn and Jumbo list nutritional values for various popcorn products.
You want to decide how much oil, sugar or salt to add yourself, and don’t mind preparing it. Loose popcorn kernels give you control over the ingredients, but the nutritional values for dried kernels don’t automatically describe the finished recipe. Albert Heijn and Jumbo provide product information for loose kernels.
You’re looking for ready-to-eat or microwave popcorn and want to weigh convenience against the nutritional values of the exact variety. Total fat, saturated fat and sugar are different measures; the labels from Albert Heijn and Jumbo show why you should check them separately.
First compare the product type and nutritional values per 100 g. Then consider how much you eat in one sitting.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this most relevant to? |
|---|---|---|
| Fat content and claims | Compare total fat per 100 g and check exactly what a claim means. | If I want to eat less fat, I compare the value with my portion and distinguish between an absolute claim and a comparison; around 36% of consumers give this the highest priority. |
| Preparation and oil | Check whether the values are for dry kernels or prepared popcorn, and include any oil used. | If I want to control what is added to the kernels, I also take preparation into account; around 22% of consumers prioritise this control. |
| Portion and energy | Weigh your own portion and only compare portion values when the portions weigh the same. | For each snack, I want to know how much I actually eat, not just what the figures say per 100 g; around 21% of consumers prioritise portion control. |
| Flavour and other nutritional values | Alongside total fat, check sugar, saturated fat and salt per 100 g. | If I choose a sweet or salty flavour, I want to consider the other nutritional values too; around 21% of consumers consider this the most important factor. |
A product can contain less fat than another product without meeting the threshold for a ‘low-fat’ claim. For solid foods, the European Commission sets a maximum of 3 g of fat per 100 g for this claim.
Compare the absolute fat value per 100 g, and don’t treat a relative comparison as proof that a product is low in fat.
The nutrition table for loose kernels doesn’t automatically include the ingredients you add during preparation. For example, Albert Heijn’s instructions for AH Biologisch Popcorn mais recommend 2 tbsp of vegetable oil.
Include the ingredients you use yourself and assess the prepared portion, not just the dry kernels.
Albert Heijn lists 4 g of fat, 45 g of sugars and 419 kcal per 100 g for AH Popcorn zoet. So total fat alone doesn’t tell you how much sugar or energy the product contains.
Check each nutritional value separately and decide in advance how much you want to eat.
On the labels of the Jumbo products reviewed, the microwave variety has less total fat but more saturated fatty acids per 100 g than the ready-to-eat salted variety.
Compare total fat and saturated fatty acids for the same quantity and exact product variety. The figures on these labels don’t represent all Jumbo popcorn products.
The range reviewed includes loose organic popcorn kernels and ready-to-eat sweet popcorn: two different product types to assess separately.
The products reviewed are dried kernels, ready-to-eat salted popcorn and salted microwave popcorn.
Lidl lists Snack Day Popcorn zeezout as ready-to-eat popcorn in a 200 g pack.
ALDI lists SUN SNACKS Zoute popcorn in a 100 g pack.
This product selection is for anyone looking for microwave popcorn. Before choosing it with the aim of eating less fat, check the nutrition table on the exact pack.
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An option if you’re looking for microwave popcorn. If you want to eat less fat, compare the nutritional values on the exact pack with your own portion.
For solid foods, the European Commission sets a maximum of 3 g of fat per 100 g for a ‘low-fat’ claim. This is a condition for making a product claim, not a personal daily fat limit.
No. ‘Less fat’ describes a difference compared with another product, while ‘low fat’ has an absolute threshold. A product with less fat than another product doesn’t automatically meet the limit of 3 g per 100 g. For a comparative claim, check which products and measurement basis are being compared.
Yes. For AH Biologisch Popcorn mais, the nutrition table describes dried kernels, while the preparation instructions recommend 2 tbsp of vegetable oil. So don’t use the values for the kernels as a complete calculation for your prepared recipe.
First compare the nutritional values per 100 g, then weigh the amount you actually eat. You can only compare portion values directly when the portions weigh the same; the European Commission uses per 100 g as the basis for nutritional information.
Check the information on the exact pack. For AH Biologisch Popcorn mais, Albert Heijn notes that it may contain cereals containing gluten, soya and wheat. Don’t assume the same information applies to another variety or to a label that has changed.
