Gamers with a protein target
If you exercise as well as game, check how much protein a serving of popcorn actually provides. Nutritional information alone says nothing about whether it will improve your gaming performance.
Who might want to consider this popcorn?
Gamers who want a quick snack
If you don’t want to prepare anything, compare the serving size and ingredients of ready-to-eat options. The ingredients vary from product to product.
Gamers who pop their own popcorn
If you have time to make popcorn, you can choose which oil, salt or other additions to use. That doesn’t automatically make the finished snack high in protein.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, compare the protein content with the amount you eat. Then decide which preparation method and ingredients suit your snack break.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Protein per serving | Compare protein and energy on the same basis, then work out the figures for the amount you eat. | If you want to know how popcorn contributes to your protein intake, check the amount you snack on. Around 39% of consumers put protein contribution first. |
| Ease of preparation | Check whether the popcorn is ready to eat, needs to be microwaved or still needs to be popped. | If you want a quick snack while gaming, check how much preparation is needed. Around 23% of consumers put convenience first. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients list and any warnings about potential allergens for the exact variant you’re buying. | If ingredients or an allergen restriction affect your choice, check the packaging before buying. Around 23% of consumers put ingredients first. |
| Serving size and pack size | Compare the net weight with the stated serving size, and distinguish between dry maize and popped popcorn. | If you want to measure out a suitable amount for each snack break, check the serving size and product format. Around 15% of consumers consider this the most important factor. |
Common buying mistakes
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Counting a whole pack as one serving
Albert Heijn lists four 25-gram servings in a 100-gram pack of AH Salted popcorn. So the nutritional information per 100 grams doesn’t represent the amount in one stated serving.
Decide how much you want to eat in one sitting, then calculate the nutritional information for that amount.
A larger serving means you’re eating more than the stated serving size.
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Comparing dry maize with ready-to-eat popcorn
The nutritional information for dry popcorn maize won’t include the oil or other ingredients you add during preparation.
Compare products in the same state, or include all the ingredients you use when assessing the nutritional value of your prepared snack.
Popping it yourself takes extra preparation, and the final ingredients will partly depend on what you add.
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Assuming vegan means suitable for every allergy
AH Organic Popcorn Maize is labelled vegan, but the packaging warns that it may contain cereals containing gluten, soya and wheat.
If you have an allergen restriction, check the warnings on the packaging of the variant you’re buying.
Brands to consider
Albert Heijn
The AH options mentioned here are salted popcorn for snacking straight from the pack and organic maize to pop yourself.
- Albert Heijn lists 8.3 grams of protein per 100 grams for AH Salted popcorn, with a serving size of 25 grams. The label for AH Organic Popcorn Maize lists 11 grams per 100 grams of dry maize.
- The figures for dry maize don’t describe the popped snack with any added ingredients. The organic maize packaging warns that it may contain cereals containing gluten, soya and wheat.
Jumbo
The products mentioned are sweet popcorn and salted microwave popcorn, offering different flavours and preparation methods.
- Jumbo lists 1.6 grams of protein per 30-gram serving of Sweet Popcorn and 2.9 grams per 30 grams of Salted Microwave Popcorn.
- The sweet variety contains 14.6 grams of sugars per 30-gram serving. The microwave variety carries a warning not to restart cooking if it has been interrupted.
Lidl
Lidl lists Snack Day Sea Salt Popcorn among its snacks in the Netherlands.
- The Dutch product page lists a pack size of 200 grams.
- The product page says ‘In-store only’, so check the information for your local shop. This listing doesn’t give a protein value.
Aldi
The Dutch ALDI product page lists SUN SNACKS Salted popcorn.
- The product page confirms the product name and a pack size of 100 grams.
- The product listing alone doesn’t tell you how much protein it provides.
Popcorn options at Joybuy
These products include popcorn for snacking straight from the pack, microwave preparation or popping at home. Compare the nutritional information with the amount you eat: popcorn isn’t automatically a high-protein choice.
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SNACK MAZE Cinema Butter popcorn, 240 g
For anyone looking for ready-to-eat popcorn with a cinema-style buttery flavour.
The product name lists a pack size of 240 grams.
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Pop Corn microwave popcorn, 3 × 100 g
An option if you want to prepare your popcorn in the microwave before eating.
The product information lists 10 grams of protein and 510 kcal per 100 grams.
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Yousmai Pengranxindong caramel popcorn, 120 g
For anyone looking for ready-to-eat popcorn with a caramel flavour.
The product information lists 5 grams of protein, 35 grams of sugars and 502 kcal per 100 grams. Milk is listed as an allergen.
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g’woon salted popcorn, 100 g
A ready-to-eat salted option for anyone who wants popcorn without any preparation.
The product information lists 8.3 grams of protein and 543 kcal per 100 grams.
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Valle Del Sole Butterfly popcorn maize, 900 g
A good option if you want to pop the maize yourself and can prepare it with oil.
The product information lists 10 grams of protein and 350 kcal per 100 grams. These are dry maize kernels; added ingredients will affect the nutritional values of the prepared snack.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need special high-protein products if you exercise as well as game?
Usually not, if you eat a healthy, varied diet. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says a protein shake can be practical depending on your goals, but it isn’t essential. Eating more protein than you need won’t automatically lead to more muscle growth.
What information can I check on a prepacked snack?
The European Commission lists information such as ingredients, allergen details, net quantity, date marking and, where necessary, storage or use instructions. For most prepacked foods, nutritional information must be provided per 100 grams or 100 millilitres; information per serving may also be included.
Can you finish cooking microwave popcorn if it’s been interrupted?
Not with the Jumbo Salted Microwave Popcorn mentioned here: the manufacturer warns against restarting the cooking process after an interruption. For other products, follow the instructions on their packaging.
How should you store opened AH Salted popcorn?
Albert Heijn recommends storing the popcorn in a cool, dark and dry place, and sealing the pack properly after use.
How do you compare servings of dry maize and ready-to-eat popcorn?
Compare the products in the same state and check how much you actually eat. If you’re using dry maize, include any oil and other additions when assessing the prepared snack.