Mindful portion pickers
You want to know how many calories are in your bowl while you’re watching TV. Compare the nutritional information and weigh out your own portion.
Which approach suits you?
From-scratch snack makers
You want to control how much corn, oil and seasoning you use, and don’t mind preparing it yourself. If you have a relevant allergy, always check the information on the specific product label.
Convenience-minded TV snackers
You want to keep preparation to a minimum, so you’re considering ready-to-eat or microwave popcorn. Also think about the portion, flavour and preparation instructions.
What should you look for when choosing?
Always compare like with like: check the nutritional information per 100 grams for a comparable product, then consider how much you’ll actually eat.
| What to consider | What should you look for? | Who is this important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | Compare kcal per 100 grams for the same preparation method; also check sugars and fat. | I want a product with a lower energy value, so I compare similar types of popcorn. Around 36% of consumers prioritise calories. |
| Portion size | Check the net weight and portion size on the packaging, and weigh out your own serving. | If I tend to keep reaching for more during a film, I prefer to decide on my portion in advance. Around 29% of consumers pay most attention to how much they eat. |
| Ease of preparation | Choose between serving it straight away, microwaving it or popping it yourself; check the preparation instructions. | I don’t want to spend long preparing it, so I look for an option that suits my movie night. Around 21% of consumers prioritise convenience. |
| Flavour and ingredients | Check the sugars, salt, ingredients and any allergen information. | If I’m looking for a sweet or savoury flavour in particular, I also check the ingredients on the packaging. Around 14% of consumers start with flavour and ingredients. |
Common pitfalls
-
Assuming salted popcorn is always lower in calories
That isn’t necessarily the case. For the Albert Heijn ready-to-eat varieties reviewed, Albert Heijn lists 543 kcal per 100 grams for salted popcorn and 419 kcal per 100 grams for sweet popcorn.
Compare the nutritional information for the specific product and consider sugars separately.
-
Comparing dry popping corn directly with prepared popcorn
The nutritional information for dry corn doesn’t automatically reflect the prepared portion. Oil and toppings change what you end up eating.
Calculate the amount of corn and any additions used in the whole recipe, then work out your share.
As well as corn, popping it yourself may require oil and seasonings. Include these ingredients when assessing your portion.
-
Counting a whole pack as one portion
A pack may contain several portions. So the nutritional information per portion doesn’t automatically tell you how many calories are in the whole bag.
Check the net weight and portion information, then weigh out how much you plan to eat in advance.
-
Confusing a small portion with a low-calorie product
A low-calorie portion doesn’t automatically make a product ‘low calorie’ under the rules for nutrition claims. For solid foods, the European Commission sets a maximum of 40 kcal (170 kJ) per 100 grams.
Assess a portion based on how much you eat, and don’t use the claim ‘low calorie’ as if it meant the same thing.
Brands and popcorn options to compare
Albert Heijn
The range reviewed includes loose popping corn, microwave popcorn, and ready-to-eat sweet and salted popcorn.
- The different preparation methods give you several ways to choose popcorn for a movie night.
- Albert Heijn lists 419 kcal and 45 grams of sugars per 100 grams for AH Sweet Popcorn, and 543 kcal per 100 grams for AH Salted Popcorn.
- These values apply to the products mentioned. A salted flavour or organic label does not, by itself, mean a lower energy value.
Jumbo
The own-brand range reviewed includes ready-to-eat sweet and salted popcorn, as well as a microwave variety.
- Jumbo lists 406 kcal and 48.6 grams of sugars per 100 grams for Jumbo Sweet Popcorn.
- The product values mentioned apply to this sweet variety and are not an assessment of the whole brand.
Lidl
Lidl Netherlands lists Snack Day Sea Salt Popcorn in a 200-gram pack.
- The product page says it is available in store.
- Sea salt describes the flavour and does not, by itself, indicate fewer calories.
ALDI
ALDI Netherlands lists SUN SNACKS Salted Popcorn in a 100-gram pack.
- A ready-to-eat salted popcorn option to include in your comparison.
- The brand name and flavour alone don’t tell you its energy value; check the product’s nutritional information.
Popcorn products at Joybuy
These products include popcorn in different flavours, a microwave variety and corn for popping at home. Compare the nutritional information and preparation method of the specific product with what you’re looking for.
No image available
Snack Maze popcorn with cinema-style butter flavour, 240 g
For anyone looking for cinema-style butter-flavoured popcorn for movie night.
The product name specifies a 240 g pack.
No image available
Valle Del Sole Popcorn Maize Butterfly, 900 g
For anyone who wants to pop their own popcorn and tailor it to their taste.
The product information describes preparing it in a pan with vegetable oil.
No image available
Pop Corn microwave popcorn, 3 x 100 g
For anyone who wants to make popcorn in the microwave; follow the instructions on the packaging.
The product description lists 510 kcal per 100 grams. Compare this value with your own portion.
No image available
Yousmai Pengranxindong caramel-flavoured popcorn, 120 g
For anyone looking for caramel-flavoured popcorn who also wants to consider its nutritional values.
The product information lists 502 kcal and 35 grams of sugars per 100 grams.
No image available
g'woon salted popcorn, 100 g
For anyone looking for ready-to-eat salted popcorn.
The product description lists 543 kcal per 100 grams; bear in mind how much you eat.
Frequently asked questions
Is salted popcorn always lower in calories than sweet popcorn?
No, it depends on the specific product. For the Albert Heijn ready-to-eat varieties reviewed, Albert Heijn lists 543 kcal per 100 grams for salted popcorn and 419 kcal per 100 grams for sweet popcorn. The sweet variety also lists 45 grams of sugars per 100 grams.
When can popcorn be described as low calorie?
For a ‘low calorie’ nutrition claim on a solid food, the maximum is 40 kcal (170 kJ) per 100 grams. The European Commission sets out this condition for the claim, so a small portion doesn’t automatically make a product low calorie.
How do I calculate the calories in homemade popcorn?
First, calculate the amount of dry corn used, based on its nutritional information, and include the oil and toppings. Then divide the nutritional value by the amount you actually eat; don’t use a value for dry corn as if it were the value per 100 grams of prepared popcorn.
How do I prepare the Albert Heijn microwave popcorn reviewed?
Follow Albert Heijn’s instructions: 2–3 minutes at 800 watts or 3–4 minutes at 600 watts. According to the instructions, the popcorn is ready when there are 1–2 seconds between pops. Stay by the microwave and open the hot bag carefully, as it contains steam. These instructions don’t necessarily apply to other varieties.
Is popcorn always suitable for people with a food allergy?
No, check the label on the specific pack. The NVWA explains the mandatory declaration of allergens. For example, AH Organic Popcorn Corn states that it may contain cereals containing gluten, soya and wheat.