Home-preparers who want to control what they add
You want to decide for yourself how much oil, salt or sugar to add while you study, and you’re happy to prepare the popcorn. The way you prepare it affects what ends up in your bowl.
Who is this guide for?
Studying snackers short on preparation time
You’re looking for popcorn that’s ready to eat or can be made in the microwave. Preparation time and nutritional values vary from product to product.
Snackers who want to keep track of their portion
You want to know how much fat and energy you’re consuming during a study break. So look beyond the values per 100 g and consider how much you actually eat.
What should you look for when choosing?
For consumers who snack on popcorn while studying for exams, the choice mainly depends on how much fat they want, how much time they have to prepare it and how easily they can keep track of their portion.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Total fat and added ingredients | Albert Heijn lists 4 g of fat per 100 g for unpopped popcorn kernels; Jumbo lists 4.5 g. These are not figures for the prepared snack: remember to include oil and toppings too. | If I mainly want to assess the amount of total fat, I also consider what I add myself. Around 42% of consumers prioritise total fat and control over added ingredients. |
| Preparation time | Choose between making it yourself, microwave popcorn and a ready-to-eat option. Follow the instructions on the specific packaging for microwave popcorn. | If I want to keep my study break short, preparation time matters. Around 25% of consumers give top priority to minimal preparation. |
| Keeping track of your portion | Albert Heijn lists portions of 25 g for Salted Popcorn and 30 g for Microwave Popcorn Salted. Compare portions using the same weight. | If I want to know in advance how much I’ll eat during a break, I look at my own portion rather than just the whole bag. Around 17% of consumers prioritise keeping track of their portion. |
| Saturated fat | Albert Heijn’s tables list 3.9 g of saturated fat per 100 g for Salted Popcorn and 9.9 g for Microwave Popcorn Salted. Check the basis used for the product before comparing these figures. | If I want to assess saturated fat as well as total fat, I check both nutritional values. Around 16% of consumers give saturated fat top priority. |
Common buying mistakes
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Assuming the nutritional value of dry kernels is the same as that of prepared popcorn
The 4 g of fat per 100 g listed by Albert Heijn for unpopped kernels doesn’t, by itself, tell you what’s in the bowl after preparation. The preparation instructions involve adding oil.
Check whether the nutritional values apply to the kernels or the prepared product, and remember to include any additions in your own portion.
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Mistaking the serving size on the label for the whole bag
Albert Heijn lists four 25 g servings in a 100 g bag of Salted Popcorn. So the nutritional values for one serving don’t automatically apply to the whole pack.
Decide how many grams you want to eat and use that amount when comparing nutritional values.
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Taking a bundle name as proof that there’s a separate popcorn brand
Kruidvat’s description of a Croky party box mentions sweet popcorn, among other snacks, but doesn’t identify that popcorn as a separate Croky product.
Check the product name, ingredients and nutritional values for the popcorn itself on the packaging.
Relevant brands and retailers
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn’s product range includes popcorn kernels, ready-to-eat salted popcorn and salted microwave popcorn.
- Individual product listings give the ingredients, serving sizes and nutritional values for specific varieties.
- The instructions for the popcorn kernels involve adding oil, so don’t automatically consider the product low in fat.
Jumbo
Jumbo’s product range includes popcorn kernels, ready-to-eat salted popcorn and salted microwave popcorn.
- There are different product formats, each with its own nutritional table and preparation information.
- For Jumbo Popcorn Salted, the product information lists 3% salt in the ingredients and 1.05 g per 100 g in the table. Check the current packaging if salt content matters to your choice.
ALDI
The Dutch product page lists SUN SNACKS Salted Popcorn in a 100 g pack.
- The product name and pack size make it easier to identify this variety.
- The product name alone doesn’t tell you the fat content. Check the nutritional table on the packaging for that.
Lidl
The Dutch product page lists Snack Day Sea Salt Popcorn in a 200 g pack.
- The product page describes the product format and pack size.
- Use the nutritional information on the specific pack if you want to compare the fat content of different varieties.
Popcorn products on Joybuy
Popcorn for a study break with minimal preparation, including a microwave option.
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Pop Corn 3 x 100 g
The product information describes microwave preparation for a hot snack with minimal preparation.
The product information lists 23 g of fat and 16 g of saturated fat per 100 g.
Frequently asked questions
Can you compare popcorn kernels and ready-to-eat popcorn directly per 100 g?
Not if you want to know how much fat is in the prepared popcorn in your bowl. Check whether the nutritional values apply to unpopped kernels or the prepared product, and include oil and toppings in the calculation for your own portion.
What should you bear in mind when making microwave popcorn while studying?
Follow the instructions on the packaging and stay by the microwave while the popcorn is popping. Albert Heijn warns that the bag and steam can be hot; Jumbo says not to restart the cooking process if it has been interrupted.
How do you work out what counts as one portion of popcorn?
Use the weight in grams given as a serving on the packaging and compare it with the amount you actually eat. For example, Albert Heijn lists a 25 g serving for Salted Popcorn and 30 g for Microwave Popcorn Salted.
Is popcorn automatically suitable if you need to avoid gluten?
No. Check the allergen information and any warnings about possible cross-contamination for the specific product. Albert Heijn Organic Popcorn Kernels states that the product may contain cereals containing gluten, soya and wheat.
When can popcorn be described as ‘low fat’ or ‘reduced fat’?
A product name or a single nutritional value isn’t enough. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that nutrition claims may only be used when the relevant rules are met, so check the claim and the product information separately.