If you want to eat less fat with your afternoon snack, compare popcorn’s fat content per 100 g and per the portion you actually eat, using the same preparation basis. Ready-to-eat popcorn is convenient when you don’t want to prepare anything; microwave popcorn requires a microwave, while making it yourself gives you control over what you add. Oil and flavourings count too, so don’t judge any type on its name alone.
You want to eat less fat, so you check the label, preparation basis and portion you actually eat, rather than judging by a product’s light appearance alone. Product information from Albert Heijn and claim guidance from the European Commission provide useful context for these checks.
You want popcorn that’s ready to eat or can be made in a microwave you have to hand. Convenience and a pre-portioned serving guide your choice. Albert Heijn and Jumbo list both ready-to-eat and microwave varieties.
You want to measure out the oil and flavourings yourself, and are happy to spend time preparing your snack. Albert Heijn describes dried popping corn and a method using vegetable oil in a pan, so make sure you assess the whole preparation.
Start with fat content and preparation basis, then consider portion size and convenience in relation to your break. For flavour, check the ingredients and any additions.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who is this most relevant to? |
|---|---|---|
| Fat and preparation basis | Compare fat and saturated fat per 100 g, and check whether the figures apply to the product as sold or after preparation. For solid foods, the European Commission sets a maximum of 3 g of fat per 100 g for a ‘low fat’ claim; check the full conditions for making the claim too. | If your main aim is to eat less fat, check the nutritional information and the basis on which it was calculated. Around 36% of consumers prioritise limiting fat. |
| Portion and energy | Check the energy per 100 g, the stated portion size in grams, the number of portions per pack and how much you serve yourself. | If you want to tailor the amount you snack on, the nutritional information for your own portion is useful. Around 29% of consumers prioritise portion size and energy. |
| Ease of preparation | Check whether the popcorn is ready to eat or needs preparing, whether you have the equipment required and what instructions are given on the pack. | If your break is short, you’ll want to know what steps and equipment your chosen popcorn requires. Around 21% of consumers prioritise convenience during their break. |
| Flavour and additions | Check the ingredients and nutritional information for sugar and salt; check for allergens and include any oil or toppings you add yourself. | If flavour and your choice of seasonings are most important to you, consider both the product and anything you add to it. Around 14% of consumers prioritise flavour and seasonings. |
Nutritional values per 100 g and a stated portion size answer different questions. Albert Heijn lists a 25 g portion for AH Zoute popcorn and a 30 g portion for AH Magnetron Popcorn Zout.
First compare products using the same nutritional basis, then calculate the values for the amount you actually eat.
The values for dried corn don’t automatically describe the complete snack you eat after preparation. Albert Heijn’s preparation instructions use vegetable oil.
Assess the whole recipe and the final portion; don’t assume the values for dried corn are the values for the finished snack.
Oil and flavourings are added to the corn and change the nutritional composition of the complete snack.
Lidl United States’ Snack Day product page is for a different market version from the popcorn sold by Lidl Netherlands.
Check the exact product name and nutritional information on the Dutch pack before comparing different versions.
According to Albert Heijn’s product information, its range includes ready-to-eat salted popcorn, salted microwave popcorn and organic popping corn for preparing at home.
Jumbo lists a 100 g pack of ready-to-eat salted popcorn and salted microwave popcorn in a pack of 3 × 90 g.
Lidl Netherlands lists sweet and salted popcorn under Snack Day, including salted microwave popcorn.
ALDI Netherlands lists SUN SNACKS Zoute popcorn in a 100 g pack.
No. For solid foods, the European Commission sets a maximum of 3 g of fat per 100 g for a ‘low fat’ claim. The fact that one popcorn variety contains less fat than another doesn’t in itself show that it meets the conditions for that claim. Check the full conditions that apply too.
Not without checking the preparation basis first. The European Union distinguishes between nutritional information for foods as sold and after preparation. If you pop the corn yourself, include additions such as oil when assessing the finished recipe.
Use the nutritional information per 100 g and weigh the amount you actually eat. Albert Heijn lists a 25 g portion and four portions per 100 g pack for AH Zoute popcorn. A stated portion size is product information, not personal advice on how much you should eat.
As well as the values for the dried corn, include the oil and other ingredients in your preparation method. For AH Biologisch Popcorn mais, Albert Heijn lists dried corn and describes a method using two tablespoons of vegetable oil in a pan. The values for the corn alone therefore don’t describe the complete preparation.
Follow the instructions on the pack of the exact variety. Albert Heijn’s product information warns that the bag is hot and contains steam, so open it carefully.
