Compare popcorn using the same nutritional basis and calculate the amount you actually serve; a small portion doesn’t make the product itself low in calories. Popping it yourself gives you control over the flavourings, while ready-to-eat and microwave options may need less preparation. Whichever you choose, check the packaging and the amount served.
You want to serve popcorn alongside other buffet dishes and work out the energy content of the amount actually served. Nutritional values are a general guide; use the label for the exact variety when making your choice.
You’re choosing between a bag of ready-to-eat popcorn and a microwave option. The time you have and the kitchen equipment available will help you decide which is more practical.
You want to choose the flavourings yourself and take the ingredients used in your recipe into account. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre suggests herbs and spices for adding variety, and advises checking the allergen information on the label.
Choose this if: you want to control the flavour and have time to prepare the popcorn.
Bear in mind: the preparation and any additions; include them in your calculation.
Choose this if: you want to make popcorn in separate batches and have a microwave available.
Bear in mind: the instructions and the amount in the cooking bag; it doesn’t automatically count as one serving.
Choose this if: you want to keep preparation to a minimum and divide up pre-weighed portions.
Bear in mind: the recipe is fixed, so check the exact variety and its label.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who is this most important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Energy in the portion eaten | Check the energy per 100 g and the basis on which it is given; weigh the portion you serve. | If I want to calculate the energy in my own buffet portion, I check the label and weigh the amount. Around 42% of consumers prioritise calorie and portion control above all else. |
| Preparation time | Check whether it is popcorn kernels, ready-to-eat popcorn or microwave popcorn, and follow the relevant instructions. | If I’m short on time while preparing the buffet, I look for an option that suits my equipment and schedule. Around 25% of consumers prioritise ease of preparation above all else. |
| Flavourings | Check the ingredients in the popcorn and in any herbs, spices or other additions. | If I want to choose the flavour of the popcorn myself, I check the ingredients and how much I add. Around 17% of consumers put control over the flavour first. |
| Allergens for guests | Check the allergen information for the exact variety and any flavourings used. | If a guest has a known allergy, I check the information on the packaging before serving the popcorn. For around 16% of consumers, checking for a guest’s needs is their top purchase priority. |
A smaller amount changes how much you eat, not the product’s composition. So consider the energy in your portion separately from any nutritional claims.
Weigh the portion for your own calculation, and check nutritional claims separately from the portion size.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives general figures of 154 kcal per 40 g bowl of popcorn and 202 kcal per 40 g bowl of salted popcorn. These are figures for broad product categories, not the nutritional values of specific supermarket products.
Compare the label for the exact variety, using the same quantity and preparation basis.
The amount in a cooking bag doesn’t automatically determine how much you serve on your buffet plate.
Decide on the portion separately from the bag size, and follow the preparation instructions on the packaging.
These product types are useful for comparing popcorn you pop yourself with ready-to-eat options; they don’t prove that any variety is low in calories.
Relevant for both popping your own with AH Popcorn maize and choosing a ready-to-eat option such as AH Zoute popcorn.
Relevant for ready-to-eat salted popcorn and microwave popcorn sold in multi-bag packs.
Snack Day Sea Salt Popcorn is a ready-to-eat option for anyone who wants to portion out popcorn without popping it themselves.
SUN SNACKS Salted Popcorn is a ready-to-eat option.
This selection includes microwave popcorn, ready-to-eat options and popcorn kernels for popping at home. Use the nutritional information for the exact variety and the portion actually served to make your comparison.
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Microwave popcorn in three 100 g bags; the product information gives the energy per 100 g.
Check the nutritional information and preparation basis on the packaging before calculating a portion.
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Ready-to-eat caramel-flavoured popcorn in a 120 g pack.
The product information gives 502 kcal per 100 g and lists milk; check the ingredient information if this is relevant to your guests.
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Ready-to-eat cinema butter-flavoured popcorn in a 240 g pack.
Weigh the amount you serve if you want to calculate the energy in a portion.
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Ready-to-eat salted popcorn in a 100 g pack.
The product information gives 543 kcal per 100 g; also use the amount you actually serve when calculating a portion.
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Popcorn kernels for popping in a pan, in a 900 g pack; the product information gives the energy per 100 g.
The suggested preparation uses 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil. Include the full preparation and final weight when calculating a portion.
Multiply the energy per 100 g by the weight of your portion in grams, then divide the result by 100. For homemade popcorn, use the full preparation and final weight, including any additions; dry kernels don’t have the same nutritional basis as the popcorn you serve.
Jumbo says not to restart cooking if it has been interrupted for this variety. Also follow the instructions on the packaging you’re using.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre suggests cinnamon or speculaas spices for adding variety. Check the ingredients and allergens in the mix you use; this suggestion doesn’t guarantee that the preparation is low in calories.
Check the allergen information on the packaging for the exact popcorn variety and any flavourings you add. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre doesn’t guarantee that the ingredients in its popcorn recipe are free from allergens.
No. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority confirms that European rules also apply to claims made by online shops. The European Commission states that nutritional claims are only permitted if they appear in the annex to Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 and meet the relevant conditions. Assess any claim for the exact variety; a small portion alone doesn’t prove that popcorn is low in calories.
