Choose popcorn for your lunch by looking at the nutrition table and how much you actually eat, rather than relying on a prominent claim alone. Compare fat and energy on the same basis, for example per 100 g of the product as sold, and take the portion size and any additions into account. Whether a particular variety is low in fat or has a reduced fat content should be clear from the information for that specific product.
You want popcorn alongside your sandwich and are consciously watching your fat intake. In that case, the exact nutritional values and the difference between an absolute claim and a comparison matter more than the brand name. The European Commission sets out the conditions for the claim ‘low fat’, while the Netherlands Bakery Centre explains how ‘reduced’ content is compared.
You’re looking for popcorn that’s ready to eat. Ready-to-eat product ranges suit this occasion, but whether a variety meets your needs depends on the label and how much you eat. Product pages from Albert Heijn, Jumbo, Lidl Netherlands and ALDI Netherlands confirm examples of these product types.
You can make popcorn ahead of time and choose your own flavourings. Popcorn kernels offer one way to do this, but making it yourself doesn’t automatically mean the finished popcorn is low in fat. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre describes a method that uses herbs and spices.
First decide whether you want ready-to-eat popcorn or to make it yourself. Then check the specific variety for fat, energy, portion size and added ingredients.
A good fit if: you want popcorn with your takeaway lunch, without having to prepare it.
The trade-off: it saves you preparation time, but the product name alone doesn’t tell you the fat content of that specific variety.
A good fit if: you can pop it in advance and want to choose your own flavourings.
The trade-off: you’ll need to plan when to make it and how to take it with you, and assess the nutritional values of the finished snack, including any additions.
A good fit if: your main aim is to have less fat than in a comparable product, and you can check the claim and what it’s compared with.
The trade-off: a relative reduction in fat doesn’t prove that the popcorn is also low in fat or lower in energy.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Fat content and claim | Check the fat per 100 g and the claim for the specific variety. For solid foods, the European Commission sets a maximum of 3 g of fat per 100 g for the claim ‘low fat’. The Netherlands Bakery Centre describes ‘reduced’ content as at least 30% less than in comparable products; check the specific claim and what it’s compared with. | If my main aim is to eat less fat, I want to know whether the claim applies to my variety and what it’s being compared with. Around 31% of consumers put reducing fat at the top of their shopping priorities. |
| Energy and portion size | Compare energy per 100 g on the same product basis, then take into account the portion you actually eat. The European Union explains that nutritional values must describe the state of the product to which the labelling refers. | If I mainly want to know what the popcorn adds to my lunch, I also consider how much I actually eat. Around 25% of consumers put energy and portion size at the top of their priorities. |
| Ready to eat or needs preparing | Check whether it’s ready-to-eat popcorn or kernels that still need popping. Also check the pack weight; it won’t necessarily be the same as your portion. | If I want popcorn with my takeaway sandwich without any preparation, convenience matters most to me. Around 25% of consumers put ready-to-eat convenience at the top of their priorities. |
| Flavourings and ingredients | Check the ingredients, sugars and salt in the packaged variety. If you make it yourself, any additions and their ingredient information matter too; the Netherlands Nutrition Centre describes herbs and spices as possible flavourings. | If I want to choose my own flavourings, I need time to prepare the popcorn in advance. Around 19% of consumers put control over flavour at the top of their priorities. |
A claim about fat alone doesn’t tell you how much energy your portion of popcorn adds to your lunch.
Check both fat and energy, and bear in mind how much you actually eat.
The nutrition information may refer to the product as sold or to a prepared product. Comparing different product states can give a misleading result.
Compare products in the same state, and take your own preparation method and additions into account.
Making it yourself takes planning, as does taking the prepared popcorn with you.
The American Snack Day 94% fat free microwave popcorn is a different market variety from the Dutch Snack Day Popcorn sea salt.
Use the product details and label for the Dutch variety when making your choice.
The official Croky range page describes crisps products. The Croky party box described by Kruidvat contains several types of product and doesn’t provide a separate nutrition table for the popcorn.
Check the popcorn’s own product details and nutrition table, not just the brand name on a category page or multipack.
A mixed box also contains products and accessories that may not suit your lunch needs.
Confirmed Dutch product ranges include AH Zoute popcorn and AH Biologisch Popcorn mais, for eating straight away or preparing yourself.
The Dutch product range includes Jumbo Popcorn Zoet 175 g and Jumbo Popcorn Maïs 500 g.
Lidl Netherlands lists Snack Day Popcorn sea salt 200 g; according to Lidl, Snack Day is its own brand.
ALDI Netherlands lists Sun Snacks Zoute popcorn 100 g.
These products are suitable for making popcorn in the microwave, choosing salted popcorn or popping your own kernels. Check the nutritional values and preparation information for each variety before comparing it with what you’re looking for in a lunch.
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A good choice if you want to prepare popcorn in the microwave in advance; according to the product information, it isn’t a snack to eat straight from the pack.
The product information gives nutritional values per 100 g.
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A good choice if you’re looking for salted popcorn; check whether its ingredients suit your lunch choice.
The product information lists the ingredients and a nutrition table for this variety.
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A good choice if you want to make popcorn yourself in advance; the stated method requires a pan and vegetable oil.
The product information includes preparation instructions and nutritional values for the kernels; assess the finished popcorn, including any additions.
For solid foods, the European Commission sets a maximum of 3 g of fat per 100 g for the ‘low fat’ claim. This is a condition for making a nutrition claim, not a personal dietary recommendation.
Not without first checking the product basis. The nutrition information refers to the product as sold or, where applicable, to a prepared product. So compare products in the same state and take into account any ingredients you add yourself.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre describes popping kernels in a covered pan and recommends taking the pan off the heat when the popping has mostly stopped. Jumbo recommends storing its dried Popcorn Maïs in a cool, dark place. Follow the instructions on your product’s packaging too.
No. If you have a relevant allergy, check every ingredient and the information on the packaging for the exact variety; making it yourself doesn’t guarantee that the ingredients are allergen-free.
Business.gov.nl states that label information must be in Dutch and also available online. Use the information for the exact product variety to make your choice.
