Who is this choice relevant to?

Mindful adult snackers

Want to enjoy popcorn alongside chocolate eggs and work out the calorie content of your portion? Compare the same quantity and take any added ingredients into account.

Organisers short on preparation time

Looking for a snack you can prepare in advance or make in the microwave under supervision? In that case, preparation and portioning are important considerations.

Organisers of children’s activities

When children are involved, mealtimes need special consideration: the Netherlands Nutrition Centre warns that young children can choke on popcorn and advises that they eat sitting down calmly.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide how much preparation you’re happy to do, then check the portion and the label. For children, plan a calm time to eat separately from the hunt.

The percentages indicate which need is the main priority for consumers taking part in this Easter egg hunt activity. Each row relates to one primary need.

What to consider What should you check? Who is this important for?
Calories per portion Compare kcal per 100 g on the same product basis and calculate the calories in your portion; if you pop it yourself, include any added ingredients. If I want to assess the calories in my own snack, I look at both the quantity and the label. Around 36% of consumers prioritise calories per portion.
A calm time to eat Plan to eat after the hunt and decide whether popcorn is suitable for the children taking part. If children are taking part, I want to make sure they don’t eat while running; the Netherlands Nutrition Centre identifies popcorn as a choking risk for young children. Around 29% of consumers prioritise a suitable mealtime for children.
Preparation and convenience Check how it needs to be prepared and consider the number of portions per pack and any added ingredients. If I’m short on time, I want to know whether I can prepare the snack in advance or need to supervise its preparation. Around 21% of consumers prioritise preparation time.
Allergens Read the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging of the exact variant. If someone has an allergy, I want to be able to check the packaging before handing out the popcorn. Around 14% of consumers prioritise suitability for people with allergies.

Common buying mistakes

  • Assuming a light, airy bowl means a low-calorie product

    The size of a portion doesn’t change the nutritional value per 100 g.

    Describe a smaller portion as a portion choice. Don’t call a product low in calories unless it meets the relevant requirements.

  • Comparing unpopped corn with the same weight of ready-to-eat popcorn

    Unpopped kernels and the prepared product aren’t the same product basis; added ingredients also count towards the total once prepared.

    If you pop it yourself, calculate the calories in the corn and any added ingredients, then divide the total by the number of portions you actually make. Compare ready-to-eat varieties using their own labels.

    Popping it yourself may require extra ingredients such as oil or flavourings.

  • Handing out popcorn while children are running around and hunting

    The Netherlands Nutrition Centre identifies popcorn as a choking risk for young children and advises that they eat sitting down calmly.

    Plan snack time for after the hunt. For young children, it’s better to choose a suitable alternative.

  • Assuming every corn product is suitable for everyone

    Ingredients and allergen warnings can vary from product to product; knowing that a packaged product is made from corn isn’t enough.

    Check the current packaging and keep the product information handy when handing out the snack.

    A participant with an allergy may need a separate, suitable product.

Brands to consider

Albert Heijn

The Dutch product range includes popcorn kernels, salted microwave popcorn and ready-to-eat salted popcorn.

  • For the variants reviewed, Albert Heijn lists 374 kcal per 100 g of unpopped corn, 435 kcal per 100 g of the microwave variety and 543 kcal per 100 g of the ready-to-eat salted variety.
  • These different product bases aren’t directly comparable. The corn variant may contain traces of cereals containing gluten, soya and wheat.

Jumbo

The Dutch varieties reviewed include popcorn kernels, salted microwave popcorn and ready-to-eat salted popcorn.

  • Jumbo lists 374 kcal per 100 g for unpopped corn, 391 kcal per 100 g for the microwave variety and 481 kcal per 100 g for the ready-to-eat variety.
  • Always check the exact packaging and product basis. The product information for Jumbo Popcorn Zout 100 g states that it may contain milk.

Lidl

The Dutch product information lists Snack Day Popcorn sea salt.

  • The product listing identifies a 200 g pack.
  • This product listing doesn’t support a claim that it has fewer calories; check the packaging of the variety you buy for nutritional information.

ALDI

The Dutch product information lists Sun Snacks salted popcorn.

  • The product listing identifies a 100 g pack.
  • The product listing doesn’t support a claim that it has fewer calories or less salt. Use the label on the exact pack to make your comparison.

Popcorn products at Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

How do I calculate the calories in homemade popcorn?

Add together the calories in the unpopped corn you use and any added ingredients, then divide the total by the number of portions you make. The labels for the Albert Heijn and Jumbo popcorn kernels reviewed list 374 kcal per 100 g, so 25 g contains 93.5 kcal before any ingredients are added.

Is popcorn suitable to eat during an Easter egg hunt?

For children, it’s better to plan a separate time to eat after the hunt. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises eating sitting down calmly and warns that young children can choke on popcorn.

How do I prepare the AH microwave popcorn reviewed?

For AH Magnetron Popcorn Zout 270 g, the product information gives a cooking time of 2–3 minutes at 800 Watt or 3–4 minutes at 600 Watt. Stop when there are 1–2 seconds between pops, stay by the microwave and open the bag carefully to avoid hot steam.

What should I look out for if someone has an allergy?

Check the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging of the exact variety. The fact that a product is made from corn doesn’t automatically mean it’s suitable for someone with a particular allergy.

Does a small portion of popcorn officially make the product low in calories?

No. For a product to carry a ‘low energy’ claim, solid foods must contain no more than 40 kcal (170 kJ) per 100 g; a smaller portion doesn’t change that product limit. The European Commission sets out this criterion for nutrition claims.