If you want to control how much oil and seasoning you add, prepare plain popcorn in advance. If you want to head out without any preparation, compare the labels and weigh out your own portion. For the ready-to-eat varieties examined, Albert Heijn lists 4 g of fat per 100 g for sweet popcorn and 29 g for salted popcorn; the sweet variety also contains 45 g of sugar per 100 g. Both fat levels exceed the EU limit for a ‘low fat’ claim on solid foods, so less fat does not automatically mean less sugar or energy.
Would you like to control how much oil, salt and sweetener you use, and can you prepare the popcorn in advance? Popping corn gives you that option, but the nutritional value of the finished snack also depends on what you add. Albert Heijn warns that its organic popping corn may contain gluten-containing cereals, soya and wheat, so check the packaging.
If you want to take popcorn with your coffee without having to prepare it, a ready-to-eat variety may suit you. Just check the flavour, nutritional information and the amount you’ll actually take with you.
Would you like to eat less fat without overlooking sugar or energy? The ready-to-eat sweet and salted popcorn from Albert Heijn examined here differ considerably in fat content; the sweet variety also lists 45 g of sugar per 100 g.
Start by identifying your main nutritional priority, then decide whether you want to prepare your popcorn in advance or take it with you ready to eat. The percentages below reflect the different needs people have when buying popcorn to enjoy with coffee on the go.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Fat content and claims | Compare fat per 100 g. For solid foods, the European Commission sets a maximum of 3 g of fat per 100 g for a ‘low fat’ claim; this is not the limit for a ‘reduced fat’ claim. | If less fat is my main priority, I compare figures on the same basis and check the exact claim. Around 36% of consumers put limiting fat first. |
| Taking it with you straight away | Check whether the popcorn is ready to eat or needs to be prepared; also check the net weight and storage advice on the packaging. | If I want to head out without any extra preparation, I weigh up the convenience against the fixed recipe and my own portion size. Around 29% of consumers prioritise being able to take it with them straight away. |
| Sugar, energy and portion size | Compare sugar and kcal per 100 g, then calculate the figures for the amount you’ll actually eat. For the sweet popcorn examined, Albert Heijn lists 45 g of sugar and 419 kcal per 100 g. | If I mainly want to consider sugar or energy, I look beyond the fat content alone. Around 21% of consumers put sugar or energy ahead of limiting fat. |
| Preparation and ingredients | When preparing it yourself, factor in oil and toppings; compare the preparation involved with a variety you can take with you straight away. | If I want to make my snack in advance, I check how many steps and ingredients are involved. Around 14% of consumers prioritise preparation and the ingredients needed. |
The sweet popcorn from Albert Heijn examined here lists 4 g of fat and 45 g of sugar per 100 g. A lower fat content alone doesn’t tell you how much sugar or energy the variety contains.
Decide which nutritional value matters most to you, then compare fat, sugar and energy on the label.
The nutritional values for dry corn don’t automatically reflect the popcorn you eat after adding oil or other ingredients.
Keep track of the corn and any additions separately, and base your calculation on the amount of prepared popcorn you actually eat.
The AH Magnetron Popcorn Zout examined here lists 21 g of fat per 100 g and contains palm oil. The preparation method alone doesn’t tell you enough about the fat content.
Check the nutritional information for the exact flavour and follow the preparation and safety instructions on the packaging.
The EU limit for a ‘low fat’ claim on solid foods is assessed per 100 g, not per bag or portion you take with you.
Use your own portion to calculate your intake, and the per-100 g value to assess a nutrition claim.
The own-label range includes ready-to-eat sweet and salted popcorn, microwave popcorn and organic popping corn. The varieties differ in product type and nutritional values.
The own-label range includes ready-to-eat Jumbo Popcorn Zout in a 100 g pack, as listed on the official product page.
Snack Day is Lidl’s own brand and includes sweet and salted popcorn. The official product page describes a sea salt variety in a 200 g pack.
The official product page describes salted Sun Snacks popcorn in a 100 g pack.
This selection includes ready-to-eat salted and sweet popcorn, as well as a variety that the product information says is prepared in the microwave. Compare each variety individually and choose according to your portion and when you plan to eat the popcorn.
No image available
The product name indicates a salted popcorn variety in a 100 g pack; weigh out your own portion to take with you.
No image available
This sweet variety may suit you if you want to take popcorn with you straight away, but the product information also lists sugar and energy values you may want to consider.
Per 100 g, the product information lists 4 g of fat, 44,5 g of sugar and 419 kcal. The pack contains 175 g.
No image available
The product information says it is prepared in the microwave, so bear in mind that you’ll need to prepare this variety before taking it with you.
Per 100 g, the product information lists 23 g of fat, 1 g of sugar and 510 kcal.
For solid foods, the European Commission sets a maximum of 3 g of fat per 100 g for a ‘low fat’ claim. A small portion doesn’t change the assessment per 100 g.
The Voedingscentrum recipe uses 50 g of popping corn, 1 teaspoon of oil and herbs in a pan with a well-fitting lid. Include the oil and any other additions when assessing the nutritional value of your prepared portion; the recipe doesn’t prove that the popcorn meets the ‘low fat’ claim.
Follow the instructions on the packaging for the exact variety. The instructions for AH Magnetron Popcorn Zout vary according to microwave wattage and advise you to stay by the microwave; the bag may be hot and steam may escape when you open it.
The storage advice for the ready-to-eat AH popcorn examined here is to keep it in a cool, dark and dry place and reseal the pack securely after use. Follow the storage and best-before information on your own pack.
No, check the information on the exact pack. Albert Heijn states that its organic popping corn may contain gluten-containing cereals, soya and wheat. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that allergens must be clearly stated on the label.
Compare the amount you actually eat and, if you make it yourself, include the oil and seasonings you use. Dry corn cannot simply be compared gram for gram with prepared popcorn as a snack to take with you.
