If you’re looking for a lower-fat snack, choose between popping your own and ready-to-eat popcorn based on how much time you have and the nutritional values of the specific variety. For solid foods, the European Commission’s ‘low fat’ claim allows a maximum of 3 g of fat per 100 g. Also compare sugar, your portion size and how the popcorn is prepared. In this guide, popcorn is a snack for parents, not babies.
If you’re buying popcorn for yourself and are mainly watching your fat intake, compare the nutritional values on a like-for-like basis. Check the sugar content and your portion size too. For solid foods, the European Commission’s ‘low fat’ claim allows a maximum of 3 g of fat per 100 g.
If you don’t have time to prepare a snack, ready-to-eat popcorn is a convenient option. Microwave popcorn still needs your attention while it’s cooking; Jumbo gives a specific warning about stopping and restarting its Salted Microwave Popcorn.
If you want to choose your own oil and toppings and have time to prepare popcorn, loose popping corn is one option. The recipe and additions you use will affect what ends up in your bowl; the Albert Heijn Allerhande recipe uses oil.
First decide whether you want something ready to eat or would rather pop your own, then compare the nutritional values of the specific products.
| What to consider | What should you look for? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Fat content and claims | Compare the grams of fat per 100 g on the same product and preparation basis. For a ‘low fat’ claim, check the limit for solid foods. | If I want a lower-fat snack, I need to be able to compare labels rather than relying on a flavour name alone. Around 33% of consumers put fat content first. |
| Ease of preparation | Check whether the popcorn is ready to eat, needs to go in the microwave or is made from loose kernels. | If I’m short on time, I want to know whether I can eat the popcorn straight away or need to prepare it first. Around 27% of consumers prioritise convenience and ready-to-eat snacks. |
| Nutritional values and portion size | Check the energy and sugar per 100 g, then compare these with the amount you actually eat. | If I want to look beyond fat, I also need to take sugar and my portion size into account. Around 27% of consumers make overall nutritional value and portion size their top priority. |
| Packaging and use | Check the net weight, any ingredients you’ll need, storage advice and the price per unit when you shop. | If I want to reduce waste and avoid extra ingredients, I need to choose a pack that suits how often I pop my own. Around 13% of consumers prioritise cost and choosing packaging that suits their needs. |
The Voedingscentrum lists popcorn as a food that can cause young children to choke.
Choose popcorn here as a snack for yourself, and bear the Voedingscentrum’s warning in mind.
Jumbo Sweet Popcorn lists 4.6 g of fat and 48.6 g of sugars per 100 g. Looking only at fat means overlooking the sugar content.
Compare fat, sugar, energy and your own portion size before choosing.
The nutritional values for Jumbo Popcorn Corn apply to dried corn. Cooking it in a pan can mean adding oil; the Albert Heijn Allerhande recipe uses sunflower oil.
Compare products on the same preparation basis, and factor in any oil and toppings you use.
Popping your own takes time as well as corn, and may require extra ingredients such as oil and toppings.
Being lower in fat than another product does not, by itself, mean that it meets the requirements for a ‘low fat’ claim.
For solid foods, the European Commission’s ‘low fat’ claim allows a maximum of 3 g of fat per 100 g. Check the nutritional values of the specific variety.
Relevant products include AH Popcorn maize and AH Salted Popcorn. Allerhande also publishes a recipe for making popcorn at home.
The range includes loose popping corn, ready-to-eat sweet and salted popcorn, and microwave popcorn.
Snack Day Sweet Popcorn is a relevant product for anyone looking for ready-to-eat popcorn.
ALDI lists SUN SNACKS Salted Popcorn in a 100 g pack.
These Joybuy products include ready-to-eat popcorn, loose popping corn and a microwave variety. Check the nutritional values and preparation instructions for each product; the product name alone doesn’t mean a variety is low in fat.
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A good fit if you’re looking for Cinema Butter-flavoured popcorn for a snack. The product name states that the pack contains 240 GR.
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A good fit if you want to pop your own popcorn and have time to prepare it. The product name specifies popping corn (Butterfly), 900 g; the pan method described uses 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil.
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A good fit if you’re looking for salted popcorn. The listed nutritional value is 29.2 g of fat per 100 g; take this into account if you’re watching your fat intake.
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A good fit if you’re looking for ready-to-eat caramel-flavoured popcorn. The listed values are 25 g of fat and 35 g of sugars per 100 g.
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A good fit if you want to prepare popcorn at home in the microwave. The product information lists 23 g of fat per 100 g; follow the pack instructions when preparing it.
Not necessarily; check which claim is used on the product. For solid foods, the European Commission’s ‘low fat’ claim allows a maximum of 3 g of fat per 100 g.
Ready-to-eat popcorn is a convenient way to skip a preparation step. Jumbo Sweet Popcorn is ready to eat, but it also contains 48.6 g of sugars per 100 g. So, as well as convenience, consider the nutritional values and your portion size.
Compare products on the same nutritional basis and take preparation into account. The values for dried corn aren’t directly comparable with those for prepared popcorn; oil and other additions may contribute to your final portion.
Don’t use this guide to choose popcorn as baby food. The Voedingscentrum lists popcorn as a food that can cause young children to choke.
Follow the instructions for the exact variety. Jumbo warns that you shouldn’t restart the preparation of its Salted Microwave Popcorn 3 x 90 g after an interruption.
