Health-conscious hosts
You want to know how much fat is in the exact variety of popcorn. Compare the fat content and distinguish between a nutritional claim and a description of how it is made, such as ‘popped without oil’.
Who is this guide for?
Hosts who want to serve quickly
You’re looking for popcorn that needs little preparation. Ready-to-eat popcorn and microwave popcorn require different approaches; follow the instructions on the pack for microwave popcorn.
Home poppers with their own taste preferences
You want to choose the flavour and additions yourself. Popping kernels give you that choice, but oil, butter and flavourings all affect the final nutritional make-up.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, choose the preparation method that suits your get-together. Then compare nutritional values using the same product basis and the same quantity.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who should pay particular attention? |
|---|---|---|
| Fat content and claims | Check total fat per 100 g, the ingredients and the evidence behind any comparative claim. A description of how a product is prepared is not a nutritional claim. | If I mainly want to reduce fat, I look at the nutritional information for the exact variety. Around 31% of consumers put reducing fat first. |
| Energy and portion size | Compare kcal per 100 g and use the same portion weight for both varieties. | If you want to keep track of how much you eat while socialising, pay attention to portion size too. Around 25% of consumers give energy per portion top priority. |
| Ease of preparation | Choose between serving it straight away, popping it in the microwave or preparing it yourself; follow the pack instructions for microwave popcorn. | If I want to serve something quickly, the preparation time matters. Around 19% of consumers put convenience first. |
| Suitable for guests | Check the ingredients, allergens and dietary information on the pack for the exact variety. | If guests have an allergy or specific preference, I want to check the ingredients in advance. Around 13% of consumers put suitability for guests first. |
| Quantity and cost | Compare the cost of the quantity you want to serve, including any additions. Dried kernels and popped popcorn are different product stages. | If I want to stay within my shopping budget, I look at the total quantity I need for my get-together. Around 12% of consumers give affordability top priority. |
Common pitfalls
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Assuming that ‘without oil’ means low in fat
The corn itself contains fat. The Voedingscentrum lists 1.6 g of fat per 40 g portion of popped salted popcorn made without oil. That works out at 4 g per 100 g.
According to the European Commission, solid foods must contain no more than 3 g of fat per 100 g to qualify for a ‘low fat’ claim. So check the absolute fat content of the exact variety.
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Looking only at total fat
Total fat, saturated fat, salt and energy are different values. Albert Heijn lists 21 g of fat and 9.9 g of saturated fat per 100 g for AH Magnetron Popcorn Zout; Jumbo lists 12.4 g and 5.1 g per 100 g respectively for Jumbo Magnetron Popcorn Zout.
Read the values on the label for the exact variety and assess them separately. These product details alone do not prove a reduced-fat claim.
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Comparing manufacturers’ portion sizes directly
Albert Heijn gives a portion size of 25 g for AH Zoute popcorn and 30 g for AH Magnetron Popcorn Zout. This means the portion values are not directly comparable.
First compare the values per 100 g, then calculate them for the same portion weight.
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Forgetting to include your own additions
When you pop popcorn yourself, the nutritional make-up of the finished popcorn depends in part on the oil, butter and flavourings you add. Preparing it yourself also takes time.
Include your additions when comparing the nutritional make-up and cost of the quantity you want to serve.
You may need oil, butter and flavourings if you want to use them when popping it yourself.
Brands and product ranges to consider
Albert Heijn
The product ranges reviewed include ready-to-eat salted popcorn and salted microwave popcorn.
- Albert Heijn lists 29 g of fat per 100 g and 26% sunflower oil for AH Zoute popcorn. For AH Magnetron Popcorn Zout, the product information lists 21 g of fat and 9.9 g of saturated fat per 100 g.
- These figures are product details for these varieties. They do not meet the ‘low fat’ claim threshold of no more than 3 g of fat per 100 g for solid foods.
Jumbo
The product ranges reviewed include loose popcorn kernels and salted microwave popcorn.
- Jumbo Popcorn Maïs 500 g lists corn as its ingredient. Jumbo lists 4.5 g of fat per 100 g for the dried kernels; this is not the nutritional value of the prepared popcorn.
- Jumbo Magnetron Popcorn Zout lists 12.4 g of fat and 5.1 g of saturated fat per 100 g, and contains palm oil. These figures do not prove a reduced-fat claim.
ALDI
SUN SNACKS Zoute popcorn 100 g is one of the popcorn varieties reviewed.
- ALDI Netherlands’ product page confirms the product name and 100 g pack size.
- A product name and pack weight do not tell you the fat content; check the nutritional information table on the pack for that.
Lidl
The Lidl variety reviewed is Snack Day Popcorn zoet.
- Lidl Netherlands’ product page confirms that this is a sweet popcorn variety.
- The flavour description ‘sweet’ does not in itself tell you the fat content or whether the fat has been reduced. Check the nutritional information for the exact variety.
Joybuy products
Related products will be available soon.
Frequently asked questions
Is popcorn made without oil automatically low in fat?
No. According to the European Commission, solid foods must contain no more than 3 g of fat per 100 g to qualify for a ‘low fat’ claim. The Voedingscentrum lists 1.6 g of fat per 40 g of popped salted popcorn made without oil, which works out at 4 g per 100 g. This general example is not a measurement of a specific branded variety.
How should I compare nutritional values and portion sizes?
First compare the nutritional values per 100 g, then work them out using the same portion weight. That way, you won’t accidentally compare different portion sizes listed by the brands on their packs.
How do I prepare microwave popcorn safely?
Follow the instructions on the exact bag. Albert Heijn advises staying by the microwave while the popcorn pops and warns that the bag will be hot and contain steam. Jumbo warns against restarting the cooking process after it has been interrupted. Don’t assume that instructions for another variety apply to yours.
Can I serve popcorn to guests with a milk allergy without checking first?
Always check the pack for the exact variety. Jumbo Popcorn Zout states that it may contain milk. If you make popcorn yourself, check the labels of the ingredients you use for allergens too.
How do I compare popping my own with buying a ready-to-eat bag?
Compare the cost of the quantity you want to serve and include any additions. Dried popcorn kernels and ready-to-eat popcorn are different product stages, so comparing pack weights alone won’t tell you how much popcorn you’ll end up with.