For a quick snack break, choose based on the portion you’ve weighed out and the nutritional information for that specific variety, not on how light and airy the popcorn looks. Ready-to-eat popcorn needs little preparation, while popping it yourself gives you more control over what you add; microwave popcorn needs to be prepared in advance. For solid foods, the European Commission sets a maximum of 40 kcal per 100 g for the ‘low energy’ claim, so a small portion doesn’t automatically make a product low in calories.
You want something crunchy for a break and to know in advance how much energy you’re taking with you. So check the portion size and nutritional information for the exact variety, as listed by Albert Heijn and Jumbo.
You’re looking for ready-to-eat popcorn or want to prepare something simple at home. Whether the popcorn is ready to eat, needs microwaving or still needs popping determines how much preparation is required. Albert Heijn and Jumbo’s product information describes these different options.
You want to snack mindfully, but also take enough food and drink for the journey. Wandel.nl advises paying attention to food and drink during a walk; in that case, the lowest possible energy content isn’t automatically your main consideration.
First decide whether you mainly want to limit the portion you take, avoid preparation, compare ingredients or plan food for a long hike.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who might this matter to? |
|---|---|---|
| Energy in your portion | Compare kcal per 100 g and weigh the amount you’re taking with you. Calculate kcal per portion using: kcal per 100 g × portion weight in g ÷ 100. | If I want to take a set amount for a break, I look at both the label and the portion I’ve weighed out. Around 42% of consumers prioritise energy per portion when making this choice. |
| Preparation and convenience | Check whether the popcorn is already popped, needs to be microwaved or consists of unpopped kernels. Prepare what you need before setting off. | If I want a hassle-free outing, I choose an option that suits the time and facilities I have before setting off. Around 25% of consumers prioritise convenience when setting off and using the product. |
| Sugar, salt and fat | Read the ingredients and nutrition table for your chosen variety; consider sugar, salt and saturated fat as well as energy. | If I don’t want to focus on calories alone, I compare the ingredients and nutritional information of the varieties I’m considering. Around 17% of consumers prioritise ingredients when making this choice. |
| Food for the hike | Consider whether popcorn is an extra snack or part of your food for the exertion ahead. Take drinks and other suitable food, too. | If I’m going on a long walk, I want to plan my overall food and drink around the hike rather than simply choosing the smallest snack portion. Around 16% of consumers prioritise food for exercise when making this choice. |
Albert Heijn lists 543 kcal per 100 g for Zoute popcorn, with a stated portion size of 25 g. A 100 g bag therefore contains four stated portions; its appearance doesn’t tell you how much you’ll actually eat.
Weigh the amount you’re taking with you and distinguish between kcal per 100 g and kcal per portion.
The 374 kcal per 100 g listed for AH Biologisch Popcorn mais applies to the kernels. Albert Heijn’s pan-cooking instructions call for two tablespoons of oil, which aren’t included in the figure for the unpopped kernels.
Add together the kernels and all the ingredients you use, then compare portions on the same basis.
Jumbo lists 406 kcal per 100 g for Popcorn Zoet; Albert Heijn lists 543 kcal per 100 g for Zoute popcorn. According to the label, the Jumbo variety also contains 48,6 g of sugar per 100 g.
Compare the exact varieties and assess energy and sugar separately.
A small portion of popcorn isn’t automatically a complete food and drink plan for a walk. Wandel.nl emphasises that food and drink are part of preparing for physical exertion.
Take popcorn as a snack within your overall supplies, and plan those supplies around your hike.
The varieties reviewed include loose popping corn, salted microwave popcorn and ready-to-eat salted popcorn.
The products reviewed include salted microwave popcorn and ready-to-eat sweet popcorn.
Snack Day Popcorn zeezout is confirmed as a 200 g pack; the product page states ‘In store only’.
De bevestigde variant is SUN SNACKS Zoute popcorn in een verpakking van 100 g.
This selection of Joybuy products includes popcorn for anyone looking for a ready-to-eat option, wanting to prepare microwave popcorn at home or keen to pop their own kernels. Compare the packaging and product information with the amount you want to take on your walk.
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A good choice if you’re looking for cinema butter-flavoured popcorn; check the nutritional information for this variety and weigh out your portion for the walk.
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A good choice if you want to prepare microwave popcorn at home; make it before setting off and follow the instructions on the pack.
Pack size: 3 x 100 g.
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A good choice if you’re looking for a sweet, caramel-flavoured popcorn snack that needs no preparation. Check the nutritional information on the pack you choose and adjust the portion to suit your preferences.
Pack size: 120 g.
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A good choice if you want to take ready-to-eat salted popcorn with you. Check the nutritional information on the pack and decide in advance how much you want to eat.
Pack size: 100 g.
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A good choice if you want to pop your own popcorn at home and choose what to add. The pan-cooking instructions described use two tablespoons of vegetable oil; take preparation into account when making comparisons.
Pack size: 900 g.
Not simply because the bag is small. For solid foods, the European Commission sets a maximum of 40 kcal (170 kJ) per 100 g for the ‘low energy’ claim. A kcal-per-portion figure is different from a claim about the product itself.
Add together the energy in the kernels you’ve weighed and all the ingredients you add, then divide the total between the portions you’ve made. The 374 kcal per 100 g listed for AH Biologisch Popcorn mais applies to the kernels; it doesn’t include the oil used for cooking in a pan.
Follow the instructions on the pack and prepare the popcorn at home. Albert Heijn advises staying by the microwave, stopping when there are 1–2 seconds between pops and carefully opening the hot bag because of the steam. Jumbo also warns against restarting the cooking process if it has been interrupted.
For AH Zoute popcorn, Albert Heijn advises storing it in a cool, dark and dry place and sealing the pack securely after use. Follow the storage instructions on the pack of your chosen variety; this advice doesn’t specify a set shelf life for popcorn you’ve popped yourself.
No, check the information on the exact pack. For Biologisch Popcorn mais, Albert Heijn states that it may contain cereals containing gluten, soya and wheat; the AH Zoute popcorn product page states that it is gluten-free. Don’t assume this information applies to all popcorn or an entire brand.
