Portion-conscious snackers on a budget
You want to keep eating popcorn, but know in advance how many calories and how much money your chosen portion will cost. Weighing out the amount matters more than the flavour name on the bag.
Who is this buying guide for?
DIY snackers who like to control the extras
You want to measure out the oil, sugar and salt yourself, and don’t mind preparing your popcorn. Loose popping corn suits this approach.
Convenience-minded at-home snackers
You want popcorn that’s ready to eat or quick to prepare, while still planning your portion. For microwave bags, follow the instructions for the exact product.
What should you look for when buying?
First, compare the nutritional information with the amount you plan to eat, then work out the cost of that portion. Next, decide whether you want to measure out the extras yourself or prefer ready-to-eat popcorn.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who might prioritise this? |
|---|---|---|
| Calories per portion | Check the kcal per 100 g for the exact product and calculate how much that is for the number of grams you weigh out. | If I want to keep track of my calories at each snack break, I compare the nutritional information with my own portion. Around 34% of consumers prioritise calories per portion eaten. |
| Cost per portion | Compare the net weight and price per kilo; if you’re making popcorn yourself, include the cost of oil, sugar, salt or toppings too. | When I’m keeping an eye on my snack budget, I want to know what my weighed portion costs, not just the price of the pack. Around 33% of consumers prioritise the cost per planned portion. |
| Preparation and convenience | Check whether the popcorn is ready to eat or needs preparing. For microwave popcorn, follow the instructions for power settings and cooking time. | If I want to keep preparation to a minimum or fancy warm popcorn, convenience factors into my choice. Around 20% of consumers prioritise convenience. |
| Ingredients and extras | Check the ingredients and nutritional information separately. If you have relevant allergies, also check the warnings on the pack. | When I want to control how much of each extra I use, I check the ingredients and allergen information. Around 13% of consumers prioritise the ingredients. |
For loose popping corn, the nutritional information applies to the dry corn, not the same weight of prepared popcorn. So when calculating, keep the amount of corn and any extras separate.
Common mistakes
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Treating the whole bag as one portion
A pack may contain several portions. The full pack isn’t automatically the amount you’ll eat in one sitting.
Weigh out what you want to eat beforehand and seal the rest of the pack properly.
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Only checking the sugar if you want to limit calories
A product with no added sugar can still be high in energy. Sugar, fat and energy are separate nutritional details.
Compare the nutritional information for the exact product and calculate it for your weighed portion.
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Only counting the corn when making popcorn at home
The nutritional information and cost of dry corn don’t reflect the total for a recipe that includes oil or other extras.
Measure out the ingredients separately and account for any extras you use.
Popcorn brands to consider
Albert Heijn
The range covered here includes loose organic popping corn, ready-to-eat sweet and salted popcorn, and microwave popcorn.
- Albert Heijn’s product information lists ingredients and nutritional values for the products mentioned.
- Organic is a product attribute, not an indication that popcorn contains fewer calories.
Jumbo
Jumbo lists, among other products, ready-to-eat salted popcorn and salted microwave popcorn in a pack of 3 × 90 g.
- The product information distinguishes between ready-to-eat popcorn and a product that needs to be prepared.
- The microwave variety contains palm oil and salt. Prepare it according to the pack instructions, and supervise children if they’re helping.
Aldi
Aldi’s product information lists SUN SNACKS salted popcorn as a ready-to-eat option.
- The product listing identifies the salted popcorn and its 100 g pack size.
- The flavour and pack size alone don’t tell you how many calories are in your portion. Check the nutritional information on the exact pack.
Lidl
Lidl lists Snack Day sweet popcorn.
- The product name makes the sweet flavour clear.
- A flavour name doesn’t tell you how many calories or how much sugar is in a weighed portion. Check the nutritional information for the exact product.
Popcorn at Joybuy
This selection at Joybuy includes ready-to-eat salted and sweet popcorn, as well as microwave popcorn. Compare the nutritional information on the pack with the portion you plan to eat.
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g'woon Salted Popcorn, 100 g
Ideal if you’re looking for ready-to-eat salted popcorn and want to weigh out your own portion.
The product name lists a 100 g pack. Check the nutritional information for this variety and adjust the amount to suit your snack break.
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MUSHAN BASE popcorn, sweet and salty flavour, 120 g
Ideal if you’re looking for ready-to-eat popcorn with a sweet and salty flavour.
The product name lists a pack size of 120 g. Check the nutritional information per 100 g and decide in advance how much you want to eat.
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Pop Corn, microwave popcorn, 3 × 100 g
Ideal if you want to make warm popcorn at home in the microwave.
The pack contains 3 × 100 g. Follow the preparation instructions for the exact product, and don’t automatically treat the amount prepared as one portion.
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Yousmai Pengranxindong popcorn (caramel), 120 g
Ideal if you’re looking for ready-to-eat popcorn with a caramel flavour.
The product name lists a pack size of 120 g. Check the nutritional information for this flavour and weigh out the portion you want to eat.
Frequently asked questions
Can ordinary popcorn be described as low-calorie in the Netherlands?
Only if the exact product meets the EU requirements for a low-energy claim. For solid foods, the European Commission sets a limit of no more than 40 kcal (170 kJ) per 100 g. Compare the nutritional information for the specific product with this limit, and assess your portion separately.
How do I calculate the calories in my portion?
Multiply the kcal per 100 g by the number of grams you’ve eaten, then divide by 100, as long as the nutritional information is based on the same form of the product as the amount you weigh out. For loose popping corn, calculate the dry corn separately from the weight of the prepared popcorn, and include any extras you’ve used.
How do I use a microwave popcorn bag safely?
Follow the instructions on the pack for the exact product. For the microwave popcorn it reviewed, Albert Heijn recommends staying nearby while it pops, listening for the popping to slow down, and opening the bag carefully because of the heat and steam. Jumbo warns that children should only prepare it under supervision, and that you shouldn’t restart cooking if it has been interrupted.
Is popcorn made with only corn suitable if I need to avoid allergens?
Not necessarily. The AH popping corn reviewed may contain cereals containing gluten, soya and wheat. If you have a relevant allergy, always check the information on the pack for the exact product. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains the rules for allergen labelling.
How can I avoid eating more popcorn than I planned?
Weigh out a portion in advance and seal the rest of the pack properly. The portion size shown on the pack is the portion stated for that product; it isn’t automatically the amount you’ll eat during a snack break.