Guests keeping an eye on portions
You want to know how many calories are in the amount of popcorn on your plate. Compare equal weights, and consider preparation and additions separately.
Who this popcorn guide is for
Hosts who want to keep prep to a minimum
You’re looking for something you can serve straight away or prepare during the get-together. Pack size, preparation instructions and the equipment you have available will help you decide what’s practical.
Hosts catering for different dietary needs
You want to check the sugar, salt and allergens in the exact variant. The ingredients and warnings on the packaging matter more than the general product name ‘popcorn’.
What to look for in popcorn for a neighbourhood get-together
Compare ready-to-eat varieties by their nutritional values per 100 g, then work out what that means for the portion you’ll serve. Keep dried corn and microwave popcorn separate from ready-to-eat popcorn if they’re not being compared on the same preparation basis.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this for? |
|---|---|---|
| Energy per portion | Use the kcal per 100 g shown on the label and calculate the amount for the weight you’ll actually serve. Compare ready-to-eat popcorn with ready-to-eat popcorn. | I want to know how much energy is in my own bowl, not just what the pack says per 100 g. Around 39% of consumers prioritise the energy content of the portion they eat. |
| Preparation and serving | Check whether the variety is ready to eat, needs to go in the microwave or has to be cooked in a pan. Follow the instructions on the exact pack. | As a host, I want to do as little preparation as possible during the get-together and know what equipment I’ll need. Around 23% of consumers prioritise ease of serving. |
| Sugar, salt and allergens | Check the nutritional information, ingredients and warnings about possible traces on the packaging of the variety you’ve chosen. | I want to consider what my guests eat or need to avoid, so I look beyond calories. Around 23% of consumers prioritise ingredients and suitability for their guests. |
| How much you need for the group | Check the net weight and work out how many portions you want to serve from the pack. Factor in oil and flavourings if you’re making the popcorn yourself. | I want to have enough ready without being left with too much afterwards. Around 15% of consumers prioritise the amount needed for the group and planning ahead. |
Common pitfalls when comparing popcorn
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Confusing a small portion with ‘low calorie’
The amount in your bowl determines how much you eat, but it doesn’t change the nutritional value per 100 g. According to the European Commission, the threshold for making a low-calorie claim on solid foods is no more than 40 kcal per 100 g.
Compare the kcal per 100 g and calculate the energy in the portion you plan to serve. Don’t call it ‘low calorie’ just because you’ve chosen a small portion.
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Assuming salted popcorn always contains fewer calories than sweet popcorn
For the ready-to-eat varieties from Albert Heijn and Jumbo, the sweet products list fewer kcal per 100 g than the salted ones, but the sweet varieties contain more sugar.
Compare the energy, sugar and salt content of the exact products separately, using the same portion weight.
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Comparing dried corn, microwave popcorn and ready-to-eat popcorn directly
The nutritional values for dried corn don’t automatically reflect the recipe after preparation. Oil and other additions change what you end up serving.
Keep the nutritional information for each preparation method separate. For homemade popcorn, calculate the values using the complete recipe and the number of portions you make.
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Assuming every variety is suitable for every guest because it’s made from corn
Albert Heijn warns that AH Biologisch Popcorn mais may contain cereals containing gluten, soya and wheat. For the ready-to-eat varieties reviewed, Jumbo warns that they may contain milk.
Check the exact packaging and ask guests with allergies what information they need.
Popcorn brands worth considering
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn’s popcorn range includes corn to pop yourself, microwave popcorn, and ready-to-eat sweet and salted varieties.
- Albert Heijn lists 374 kcal per 100 g for AH Biologisch Popcorn mais. This figure is for the dried corn, before adding oil or other ingredients.
- Preparation methods and warnings vary by product. For its organic corn, Albert Heijn warns that it may contain cereals containing gluten, soya and wheat.
Jumbo
Jumbo sells ready-to-eat salted and sweet popcorn, as well as microwave popcorn. Check the nutritional information and preparation method for each variety.
- Jumbo provides nutritional values per 100 g and per portion for its ready-to-eat popcorn, so you can calculate the values for the amount you serve.
- Jumbo warns that the ready-to-eat varieties reviewed may contain milk. Its microwave variety contains palm oil and must be prepared according to the instructions.
Lidl
Lidl lists Snack Day popcorn in salted and sweet varieties. Its Dutch product page also features Snack Day Popcorn zeezout 200 g.
- Lidl’s range includes both salted and sweet popcorn, so you can choose the specific flavour you want.
- A flavour description or product name doesn’t tell you how many calories it contains. Check the nutritional information on the pack you buy.
ALDI
Sun Snacks Zoute popcorn 100 g is a popcorn variety sold by ALDI in the Netherlands.
- The product name and 100 g pack size give you a specific quantity to factor into your portion planning.
- Pack weight and flavour are no substitute for the nutritional values per 100 g. If calories are influencing your choice, check the label on the exact pack.
Popcorn picks at Joybuy
This selection includes ready-to-eat sweet and salted popcorn, as well as corn to pop yourself. Compare the portion and preparation method that suit your neighbourhood get-together.
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SNACK MAZE Popcorn Cinema Butter 240 g
The product title describes popcorn with cinema butter flavour. If kcal per portion will influence your choice, check the nutritional information on the pack.
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Yousmai Pengranxindong Popcorn Caramel 120 g
This ready-to-eat caramel popcorn is made to be served straight away. The product information lists 502 kcal and 35 g of sugars per 100 g, and milk as an allergen.
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g'woon Salted Popcorn 100 g
This salted popcorn lists 543 kcal and 1.525 g of salt per 100 g. Calculate the energy content for the weight you’ll actually serve.
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g'woon Sweet Popcorn 175 g
This sweet popcorn lists 419 kcal and 44.5 g of sugars per 100 g. Consider sugar separately from energy when comparing varieties.
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Valle Del Sole Popcorn Maize (Butterfly) 900 g
The listed 350 kcal per 100 g is for the corn before preparation. The preparation information mentions vegetable oil, so don’t compare these values directly with those for prepared popcorn.
Frequently asked questions about popcorn for a neighbourhood get-together
How many calories are in my bowl of popcorn?
Weigh the ready-to-eat popcorn, then multiply its weight in grams by the kcal per 100 g and divide by 100. Voedingscentrum’s figure of 154 kcal for a 40 g bowl is a general average and doesn’t replace the label on your product.
Can popcorn be called ‘low calorie’ if the portion is small?
Not just because the portion is small. According to the European Commission, the ‘low calorie’ claim can only be used for solid foods containing no more than 40 kcal per 100 g. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that nutrition claims must comply with European rules.
Does sweet popcorn always contain fewer calories than salted popcorn?
That isn’t automatically true of all popcorn, but for these ready-to-eat products, the listed values are lower for sweet than for salted popcorn. Albert Heijn lists 419 kcal per 100 g for AH Popcorn zoet and 543 kcal for AH Zoute popcorn; Jumbo lists 406 kcal for Popcorn Zoet and 481 kcal for Popcorn Zout. The sweet varieties also contain more sugar: 45 g per 100 g at Albert Heijn and 48.6 g at Jumbo.
How do I prepare microwave popcorn without overheating the bag?
Follow the instructions on the exact pack and stay by the microwave. Albert Heijn recommends 2–3 minutes at 800 Watt or 3–4 minutes at 600 Watt for its microwave popcorn, stopping when there are 1–2 seconds between pops. Open the bag carefully, as the steam will be hot. Jumbo warns that children should not prepare the popcorn without adult supervision.
Is popcorn suitable for guests who need to avoid gluten or milk?
Check the exact variety and packaging. Albert Heijn describes AH Zoute popcorn as gluten-free, but warns that AH Biologisch Popcorn mais may contain cereals containing gluten, soya and wheat. Jumbo warns that the ready-to-eat varieties featured here may contain milk.