Choose popcorn based on the calories in the portion you actually eat, and assess sugar, salt and saturated fat separately. Popping your own gives you more control over what you add; with ready-to-eat and microwave popcorn, portion size and preparation method are key. According to the European Commission, the ‘low energy’ claim can only be used for solid foods containing no more than 40 kcal per 100 g. The AH and Jumbo product examples mentioned do not meet this threshold based on their stated nutritional values.
You want to match the nutritional information to the portion you actually eat, rather than relying on popcorn’s light texture or flavour name. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives 154 kcal for a 40 g bowl of popcorn as a general reference; check the information for the exact product you choose too.
You want to be able to eat straight away during your afternoon break. Ready-to-eat popcorn, such as the ready-to-eat salted popcorn described by Jumbo, is a convenient option; portion size and ingredients are still worth considering separately.
You want to decide how much oil, salt or sugar to add. Albert Heijn provides nutritional information for its popcorn kernels in their dry form; calculate the oil and any toppings separately to work out the nutritional value of the whole recipe.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Calories per portion | Check the kcal per 100 g and the weight of the portion you eat. Also check whether the nutritional values apply to the product as sold or to the prepared popcorn. | I want to know how many calories are in my weighed portion, not just what the label says per 100 g. Around 46% of consumers give calories per portion the highest priority. |
| Nutritional composition | Compare sugar, salt and saturated fat separately, and check the ingredients and any added ingredients. | If I’m taking sugar, salt or saturated fat into account, I want to look at those values separately from calories. Around 27% of consumers prioritise nutritional composition. |
| Ease of preparation | Check whether the popcorn is ready to eat, what equipment you need and what preparation instructions apply. | During my break, I want something that’s ready to eat or needs very little preparation. Around 27% of consumers prioritise convenience during their break. |
Appearance doesn’t tell you how much energy is in a weighed portion. For solid foods, the European Commission sets a threshold of no more than 40 kcal per 100 g for the ‘low energy’ claim.
Read the nutritional information for the exact product and calculate the value for the amount you eat. Only use the claim if the product meets the applicable conditions.
Sugar is only one part of a product’s nutritional value. Albert Heijn lists oil as an ingredient in AH Salted Popcorn, so check the energy and fat content too.
Compare energy, sugar and fat separately; don’t use the flavour name as a guide to nutritional value.
The nutritional information for popcorn kernels doesn’t automatically apply to popcorn prepared with oil and toppings.
Include the kernels and all added ingredients when calculating the nutritional value of the full recipe. Albert Heijn’s preparation information for popcorn kernels mentions oil.
The contents of a pack and the amount you eat during one break don’t have to be the same.
Follow the instructions on the pack, then decide how much you’re actually going to eat. AH and Jumbo provide product-specific preparation information for their microwave popcorn.
The official product information covers popcorn kernels, salted microwave popcorn, and ready-to-eat sweet and salted popcorn.
The product information covers salted microwave popcorn and ready-to-eat sweet and salted popcorn.
Lidl lists both sweet and salted popcorn under Snack Day.
The official product information identifies SUN SNACKS Salted Popcorn in a 100 g pack.
These Joybuy products are suited to popcorn as an afternoon snack, with options for popping your own, microwave preparation and ready-to-eat snacking.
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For anyone looking for butter-flavoured popcorn; the product name lists a pack size of 240 g.
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For anyone looking for salted popcorn as an afternoon snack; the product name lists a pack size of 100 g.
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For anyone who wants to pop their own popcorn; the pan preparation instructions call for 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil, which you should include when working out the nutritional value of the prepared snack.
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For anyone who wants hot popcorn from the microwave; follow the preparation instructions and choose a portion that matches the amount you eat.
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For anyone looking for ready-to-eat caramel popcorn; check the nutritional information on the pack and choose a portion to suit how much you want to eat.
Only if a solid food meets the applicable threshold of no more than 40 kcal per 100 g. The European Commission sets this condition for the ‘low energy’ claim; check the nutritional information for the exact product.
Include the dry kernels, oil and any toppings in your calculation for the whole recipe, then divide the total between the portions you make. For AH Biologisch Popcorn mais, Albert Heijn lists 374 kcal per 100 g of dry kernels; this isn’t the nutritional value of the prepared snack.
Follow the instructions on the pack for your product. For AH Magnetron Popcorn Zout, Albert Heijn warns that the bag and steam can be hot, and advises staying by the microwave while the popcorn is popping. Jumbo also provides product-specific instructions; don’t let children prepare it unsupervised.
Follow the storage and use-by instructions on the pack. For AH Zoute popcorn, Albert Heijn recommends storing it in a cool, dark and dry place and closing the pack securely after use.
No. Albert Heijn states that AH Biologisch Popcorn mais may contain cereals containing gluten, soya and wheat. Always check the allergen information for the exact product.
