Mindful extra snackers
You fancy something else to nibble alongside your chips and want to keep an eye on the energy content of that extra snack. Compare a weighed portion, rather than judging by the size of the bag.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Snackers who want no-fuss options
You want popcorn you can eat straight away or quickly prepare in the microwave. Whether it’s ready to eat or needs cooking will determine what’s most practical for the occasion.
Home poppers who like to control the flavour
You want to choose which oil, herbs or sweet flavourings to add. Loose kernels give you that choice, but remember to factor in the preparation and additions too. If you have allergies, always check the packaging of the exact product.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide how much popcorn you want to eat. Then compare the nutritional values for the same product form and check whether you can eat it straight away or need to prepare it.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Comparing energy | Check the kcal per 100 g and whether the figure applies to the product as sold or as prepared. | If I’m having popcorn with chips, I want to be able to compare the energy for the same quantity and product form; around 36% of consumers give energy content top priority. |
| Portion eaten | Weigh your portion in grams and calculate its energy using the value per 100 g. | I want to decide in advance how much popcorn to have, even if the bag contains more; around 29% of consumers prioritise portion control. |
| Ease of preparation | Check whether the popcorn is ready to eat, what equipment you need and which instructions to follow. | If I don’t want any extra preparation while picking up my food, I look for an option that’s ready straight away; around 21% of consumers focus mainly on convenience. |
| Choosing your own flavour | Check the ingredients and allergens on the exact pack, and count any oil and other additions. | I want to choose my own herbs or flavourings, so I take preparation into account; around 14% of consumers give flavour control top priority. |
The product basis and portion examples come from Dutch product information from Albert Heijn and Jumbo. The European Commission and the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explain the threshold for the ‘low calorie’ claim.
Common mistakes
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Assuming a light, airy bag means a low-calorie product
The volume doesn’t tell you how much energy you’ll get per gram you eat. AH Salted Popcorn lists 543 kcal per 100 g; having a small portion doesn’t automatically make it a low-calorie product.
Compare the kcal per 100 g, then weigh the amount you want to eat. For solid foods, the commercial claim ‘low calorie’ applies to products containing no more than 40 kcal (170 kJ) per 100 g.
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Confusing the nutritional portion with a whole microwave bag
Jumbo Salt Microwave Popcorn comes in three inner bags of 90 g, with nutritional values given per 30 g. These are different quantities.
Check how much you prepare and eat, and use the same product basis as the nutrition table. Don’t assume that 30 g of unpopped mix is the same as 30 g of popped popcorn unless you have evidence to support this.
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Comparing dry kernels directly with ready-to-eat popcorn
The energy value for AH Organic Popcorn Maize applies to dried maize; you may add oil during preparation.
Count the amount of dried maize you use and any additions separately. Don’t present the value for dried maize as a measured value for the prepared portion.
Brands to compare
Albert Heijn
The products checked include ready-to-eat salted popcorn and organic loose kernels, so you can weigh up convenience against preparing your own.
- Albert Heijn’s product information lists ingredients, portions and storage advice. The dried maize contains 374 kcal per 100 g, while the salted popcorn contains 543 kcal per 100 g.
- The nutritional value for dried maize is not the value for prepared popcorn. The organic label doesn’t demonstrate a calorie benefit.
Jumbo
The own-brand products checked include ready-to-eat salted popcorn and microwave popcorn in three inner bags.
- Jumbo lists energy per 100 g and per stated portion. Its product information gives 481 kcal per 100 g for the salted popcorn and 391 kcal per 100 g for the microwave version.
- A stated nutritional portion isn’t automatically the same as a whole inner bag. The nutritional values are retailer information, not an independent taste test.
Lidl
The Dutch Snack Day range includes salted and sweet popcorn, as well as a separate microwave version.
- The range offers different flavours and preparation methods to compare.
- Use the nutritional information on the exact pack for your comparison; the brand’s product range isn’t an independent assessment of calorie content.
ALDI
According to ALDI Netherlands’ product information, SUN SNACKS Salted Popcorn is a ready-to-eat option in a 100 g pack.
- The product page lists the product type and pack weight.
- Check the nutritional information on the exact pack before comparing this option by energy content.
Popcorn at Joybuy
Here you’ll find a range of popcorn options side by side: different flavours, microwave popcorn and loose kernels to pop yourself. Compare kcal per 100 g using the stated product basis, and remember to count any additions when popping your own.
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SNACK MAZE Cinema Butter Popcorn, 240 g
If you’re after a cinema-style buttery flavour, the product name identifies this variety and its 240 g pack size. Compare your portion with the nutritional information on the pack.
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Pop Corn Microwave Popcorn, 3 x 100 g
A good choice if you want popcorn hot from the microwave. The product description gives a pack size of 3 x 100 g and 510 kcal per 100 g; compare your portion with the same product basis.
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Yousmai Pengranxindong Caramel Popcorn, 120 g
If you’re after ready-to-eat caramel popcorn, the product description says this popcorn is ready to eat. The pack contains 120 g and lists 502 kcal per 100 g.
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g'woon Salted Popcorn, 100 g
A 100 g pack for anyone looking for salted popcorn. The product description lists 543 kcal per 100 g; compare your weighed portion with that value.
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Valle Del Sole Popcorn Maize (Butterfly), 900 g
For anyone who wants to pop loose kernels and choose their own additions. The nutritional value of 350 kcal per 100 g applies to the maize; the preparation instructions call for vegetable oil and a pan with a lid, so this isn’t a value for prepared popcorn.
Frequently asked questions
Can popcorn be called low calorie because a small portion contains few calories?
No. A small portion alone isn’t enough to support that commercial claim. For solid foods, the limit is 40 kcal (170 kJ) per 100 g; this threshold applies to the product, not an arbitrarily small portion.
How do I compare kernels I still need to pop with ready-to-eat popcorn?
First check whether the nutrition table describes the product as sold or as prepared. AH Organic Popcorn Maize is dried maize; count the amount you use and your additions separately, and don’t treat the same weight of dried maize as equivalent to popped popcorn.
How can I avoid mistaking the nutritional portion for a whole bag?
Compare the portion in grams with the contents of the pack. Jumbo Salt Microwave Popcorn has inner bags of 90 g, but its nutritional value is given per 30 g, so those portions aren’t the same.
Are loose kernels automatically suitable if I have a gluten or soya allergy?
No. AH Organic Popcorn Maize states that it may contain cereals containing gluten, soya and wheat. If you have an allergy, check the information on the exact pack; a short ingredients list doesn’t rule out cross-contamination.
What safety instructions apply to the Jumbo microwave popcorn we checked?
Follow the instructions on the pack and remove the outer film as directed. Jumbo says children must not prepare the popcorn without adult supervision and that you must not restart cooking after an interruption. These instructions apply to this particular product.