Choose based on the calories in the amount of popcorn you actually want to eat, rather than just the flavour name or pack size. Ready-to-eat popcorn needs little preparation; popping your own gives you control over the seasonings, while microwave popcorn needs to be prepared before you set off, following the product instructions. A small portion doesn’t automatically make a product low in calories.
You want to decide in advance how much popcorn you’ll eat during the journey, using the nutritional information for your specific product and portion—not a generic bowl or the whole bag. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives a figure of 154 kcal for a generic 40 g bowl and notes that nutritional values can vary between brands.
You’re looking for popcorn you can portion out before setting off, without having to pop the kernels first. Jumbo, Lidl and Aldi list ready-to-eat popcorn options; when choosing, check the packaging and the nutritional information table for the specific variety.
You want to make popcorn at home and choose the herbs and other additions yourself. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre describes making popcorn with herbs; check the full recipe, ingredients and allergen information when working out your portion.
First decide what matters most to you: the calories in your portion, minimal preparation or control over the additions. Compare nutritional values on the same basis, then calculate them for the amount you’re taking with you.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who is this important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Calories in your portion | Check kcal per 100 g, the portion weight and whether the table refers to the product before or after preparation. | If you want to weigh out how much popcorn to take in advance, base the calculation on your own portion. Around 40% of consumers put the calories in their portion first. |
| No preparation needed | Check whether the popcorn is already popped, the pack weight and how much you want to portion out yourself. | If you want to set off without popping any kernels, choose a variety you can portion out in advance. Around 30% of consumers prioritise convenience before setting off. |
| Choose your own seasonings | Check the ingredients and quantities used; if you’re making it yourself, include all additions in your calculation. | If you want to choose the seasonings yourself, factor in the extra preparation and the full recipe. Around 30% of consumers prioritise control over the additions. |
A smaller portion may contain fewer calories than a larger portion of the same product, but that doesn’t prove the product itself is low in calories.
According to the European Commission, the ‘low energy’ claim for solid foods is subject to a limit of 40 kcal (170 kJ) per 100 g. The ‘reduced energy’ claim requires at least 30% less energy, and the reason for the reduction must be stated.
A general figure for popcorn may not match the exact flavour you’re buying.
Use the nutritional information table on the pack and check that it relates to the variety you’ve chosen. Albert Heijn advises shoppers to read the packaging, as product information can change.
The nutritional value per 100 g may refer to a different preparation basis, so the comparison may not be like for like.
Check whether the table gives values for the product before or after preparation. If you’re popping the kernels yourself, include all the ingredients you use in your calculation.
The pack size tells you how much it contains, not how much you want to eat during one car journey.
Decide on and weigh your portion before setting off, then calculate the calories using the nutritional information for that specific popcorn.
The product pages list AH Popcorn mais and AH Zoute popcorn: popcorn kernels for popping at home and a ready-to-eat salted variety.
Jumbo lists Popcorn Zout 100 g and Magnetron Popcorn Zout 3 x 90 g, which use two different preparation methods.
Lidl lists Snack Day Popcorn zeezout in a 200 g pack.
Aldi lists SUN SNACKS Zoute popcorn in a 100 g pack.
This selection includes ready-to-eat popcorn, microwave popcorn and kernels for popping at home. It isn’t a low-calorie ranking: compare the nutritional value per 100 g on the same preparation basis, then calculate it for your weighed portion.
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A ready-to-eat popcorn option you can portion out before setting off. The product description lists cinema butter popcorn in a 240 g pack.
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Suitable if you want to pop popcorn at home and choose the seasonings yourself. The product instructions recommend cooking it in a pan with 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil; include this amount when calculating the nutritional value of your prepared portion.
Pack: 900 g.
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For anyone with access to a microwave before setting off. The product description says to prepare it in the microwave and gives an energy value of 510 kcal per 100 g; this is above the EU limit for the ‘low energy’ claim for solid foods.
Pack: 3 x 100 g.
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A caramel variety you can portion out in advance. The product description gives an energy value of 502 kcal per 100 g; this is above the EU limit for the ‘low energy’ claim for solid foods.
Pack: 120 g.
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A salted popcorn variety you can portion out before setting off. The product description gives an energy value of 543 kcal per 100 g; this is above the EU limit for the ‘low energy’ claim for solid foods.
Pack: 100 g.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives a figure of 154 kcal for a generic 40 g bowl. This is an average, not a value that applies to every brand; use the nutritional information table on the exact pack to calculate your portion.
No. A small portion alone isn’t grounds for making that product claim. According to the European Commission, the ‘low energy’ claim for solid foods is limited to 40 kcal (170 kJ) per 100 g. The ‘reduced energy’ claim requires at least 30% less energy, and the reason must be stated.
Check whether the table describes the product before or after preparation. According to the official EU guidance, the nutritional value of the prepared food may be given for a product that still needs to be prepared. Compare values on the same preparation basis, then calculate them for your own portion.
For Jumbo Magnetron Popcorn Zout 3 x 90 g, the product page says not to restart the cooking process if it has been interrupted. For any other product, follow the instructions on its packaging.
No. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says it can’t guarantee that the ingredients used in its popcorn recipe are free from allergens. If you have a food allergy, check all the ingredients used and their labels.
