If you want to keep the calories in your snack under control, first decide how many grams you’ll eat and include any ingredients added during preparation. Loose popcorn kernels give you more control over what you add, while microwave and ready-to-eat popcorn need little or no preparation. A small serving doesn’t automatically make a product low in calories.
You want to know how many calories are in your own snack portion before you eat it, rather than relying on a product name that sounds light or airy. Check the weight, nutritional information and any ingredients added during preparation.
You’re buying enough for several snack times and want to divide it up without overlooking storage advice. Check the total quantity, whether it comes in individual bags and the instructions for storing it after opening.
You want to enjoy popcorn quickly and decide how much preparation you’re happy to do. Ready-to-eat and microwave popcorn require different levels of preparation, so also check what equipment you’ll need and follow the instructions.
A good choice if: you want to decide how much corn to use and what to add.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to prepare the corn yourself, and any oil will add to the calories in your snack.
A good choice if: you want to prepare a separate bag for each snack time and have a microwave.
Bear in mind: the contents of the bag aren’t automatically your serving size; follow the preparation instructions.
A good choice if: you want a snack with no preparation and can weigh out your own portion.
Bear in mind: the ingredients are already set, and convenience doesn’t determine how much you eat.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who may prioritise this |
|---|---|---|
| Calories per serving | Check the basis for the nutritional information, weigh your portion and include any ingredients added during preparation. | If I want to choose my snack portion based on its calories, I need to know what I actually eat and add. Around 36% of consumers put calorie control first. |
| Quantity for several snack times | Compare the total quantity with how much you use and check the storage advice for after opening. | If I buy popcorn for several snack times, I want to be able to divide it up and store it conveniently. Around 29% of consumers put planning ahead first. |
| Ease of preparation | Check whether you need a pan or microwave, and read the instructions on the exact product packaging. | If I want a quick snack, I need to know how much preparation the product requires. Around 21% of consumers put convenience first. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients list and information about the possible presence of allergens. | If the ingredients matter to my choice, I need to be able to check the ingredients and allergen information. Around 14% of consumers put choosing suitable ingredients first. |
The weight of a serving doesn’t, by itself, mean that a product qualifies for a low-calorie claim. According to the European Commission, the ‘low energy’ claim for solid foods applies to products containing no more than 40 kcal per 100 grams.
For your own snack, use the nutritional information and the weight of your portion. Don’t treat a low-calorie claim as an unverified product attribute.
Nutritional information per 100 grams of dried corn and per 100 grams of ready-to-eat popcorn is based on different products. If you prepare it yourself, include any ingredients you use.
Compare what you actually eat, and keep track of the amount of corn and any oil or other ingredients separately.
The contents of a bag for preparation may not match the amount you want to eat in one snack sitting.
Decide on your own portion and follow the instructions on the packaging. Children should not prepare popcorn without adult supervision.
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, the best-before date applies while the packaging remains unopened. Once opened, follow the product’s storage advice on the packaging.
Choose an amount that suits how much you use, seal opened packaging as advised and check the date on the pack.
These examples relate to the popcorn products and range information mentioned; they are not a judgement on an entire brand or supermarket range.
The range reviewed includes dried organic popcorn kernels and ready-to-eat salted popcorn.
The varieties mentioned are ready-to-eat Popcorn Zout and microwave popcorn in multi-bag packs.
The supermarket variety mentioned is Snack Day Popcorn zeezout.
The Dutch supermarket variety mentioned is SUN SNACKS Zoute popcorn.
These products offer options for stocking up on popcorn: loose kernels, microwave popcorn and ready-to-eat varieties. Compare the nutritional information with the portion you actually eat, and follow the product information for preparation and storage.
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The 240-gram pack is suitable for several snack times when you weigh out your own portions.
The product name describes popcorn with a cinema butter flavour.
Check the nutritional information and serving details on the packaging.
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Loose popcorn kernels are a good choice if you want to decide on your own portions and additions; they need to be cooked in a pan.
The product description lists 350 kcal per 100 grams of corn and 0 grams of salt.
The preparation described uses 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil; include this in the calories for your snack.
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Three individual bags are handy for stocking up for several preparation sessions; you’ll need a microwave to prepare them.
The product description lists 510 kcal per 100 grams. Check the packaging to see which preparation method this nutritional information applies to.
The contents of the bag aren’t automatically the amount you’ll want to eat in one snack sitting.
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According to the product description, this popcorn is ready to eat without any preparation.
The description lists 530 kcal and 33.1 grams of sugars per 100 grams.
The description mentions soya and advises using the contents as soon as possible after opening.
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Ready-to-eat salted popcorn is ideal for a snack with no preparation; weigh out how much you want to eat.
The product description lists 543 kcal per 100 grams and names corn, sunflower oil and salt as ingredients.
Follow the storage advice and seal the packaging securely after opening.
No. The serving size doesn’t change the threshold for a product claim. According to the European Commission, the ‘low energy’ claim for solid foods applies to products containing no more than 40 kcal per 100 grams. The ‘reduced energy’ claim requires at least 30% less energy, and the characteristic responsible for the reduction must be stated.
Include the corn you use and any ingredients you add. AH Biologisch Popcorn mais lists 374 kcal per 100 grams of dried corn; this isn’t automatically the nutritional value per 100 grams of the prepared snack. To calculate the calories in a portion, multiply the value per 100 grams by the portion weight in grams and divide by 100. Count any ingredients added during preparation separately.
Not necessarily. Jumbo Magnetron Popcorn Zout is sold as three 90-gram bags and also lists nutritional information per 30 grams. Decide on your own portion and follow the preparation instructions on the exact product packaging.
Follow the storage advice on the packaging. For AH Zoute popcorn, Albert Heijn recommends sealing the pack securely after use and storing the product in a cool, dark and dry place. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre explains that the best-before date applies while the packaging remains unopened.
Read the instructions on the packaging before preparing the popcorn. Jumbo says to read the instructions carefully, not to let children prepare it without adult supervision and not to restart the preparation after an interruption.
