Compare popcorn based on the amount you actually eat and the energy per 100 grams shown on the label; a small serving size on the label doesn’t automatically make a product low in calories. Then choose between making it yourself, microwave popcorn and ready-to-eat popcorn, depending on your kitchen facilities and how much preparation you’re happy to do. If you make popcorn yourself, remember to include the oil and toppings.
You want to know how much energy is in your own bowl. Compare the same weights and use the nutritional information for the exact variant. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre provides average nutritional values and notes that they can vary between brands.
You have access to a pan and hob and want to decide for yourself how much corn, oil and seasoning to use. The nutritional value of dry corn is not the same as that of the finished recipe; Albert Heijn’s preparation instructions use oil.
You want to keep preparation to a minimum and choose a product that suits the equipment in your room. Microwave popcorn requires a microwave and you’ll need to follow the pack instructions, while ready-to-eat popcorn needs no preparation.
First compare the amount you eat with the nutritional values per 100 grams. Then choose a preparation method that suits the equipment and time you have available.
| What to consider | What to look for when buying | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Energy per serving | Compare kcal per 100 grams, then work out the value for the number of grams you eat. | If I want to weigh out my own bowl, I compare equal weights because a smaller serving doesn’t change how much energy the product contains per 100 grams. Around 39% of consumers prioritise energy per serving. |
| Oil and seasonings | Check whether you’re buying dry corn and keep track of how much oil and how many toppings you add to the recipe. | If I want to control the amount of corn and extras myself, I count the whole recipe so I don’t confuse the value of dry corn with that of the prepared snack. Around 23% of consumers prioritise control over oil and seasonings. |
| Ease of preparation | Check whether the product is ready to eat or needs to be prepared in a microwave or pan; follow the instructions on the exact pack. | If I want to do very little preparation in my room, I choose an option that suits the equipment I have and the amount of preparation I’m willing to do. Around 23% of consumers prioritise convenience. |
| Cost per serving | Compare the current pack price with the number of servings you’ll actually use, and include any extras if you’re preparing it yourself. | If I want to keep my snack spending under control, I compare the servings I can use and factor in the extra preparation required for dry corn. Around 15% of consumers prioritise cost. |
Albert Heijn lists 543 kcal per 100 grams for its salted popcorn. So looking only at the amount of sugar won’t give you the full picture of its energy content.
Check the energy per 100 grams and work out the value for your own serving; consider sugar and fat as separate items on the label.
Jumbo’s microwave popcorn comes in 90-gram bags and also lists nutritional values for a 30-gram serving. These are different amounts.
Keep the weight of the preparation bag, the labelled serving size and the amount you eat separate.
The value for dry corn isn’t the value for the complete recipe. Albert Heijn’s preparation instructions use oil.
Note down the ingredients used for the whole batch, then work out how much you actually eat.
The Croky party box listed by Kruidvat with marketplace seller VDC-Komerz also contains crisps and other items. The nutritional information for a mixed box doesn’t tell you separately what the popcorn contains.
Look for a label for an individual product clearly identified as popcorn before comparing nutritional values.
The product information covers both dry corn for making at home and ready-to-eat salted popcorn.
The options listed include ready-to-eat salted popcorn and microwave popcorn.
Lidl lists Snack Day popcorn in sweet and salted varieties.
ALDI lists SUN SNACKS Zoute popcorn as one of its own-brand products.
This selection includes microwave popcorn and ready-to-eat popcorn. Compare the nutritional value per 100 grams with the amount you eat, and choose based on the preparation method that suits your room.
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This is a good fit if you have a microwave and want to make popcorn without using a pan.
The pack contains 3 x 100g. The product information lists 510 kcal per 100 g.
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This is a good fit if you’re looking for ready-to-eat salted popcorn that doesn’t need a pan or microwave.
The product information lists 543 kcal per 100 g; use this to work out the value for the amount you eat.
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This is a good fit if you want popcorn that’s ready to eat.
The product information lists 541 kcal per 100 g. Use the weight of your own serving to work out how much you’re eating.
No. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives an average of 154 kcal for a 40-gram bowl of popcorn and notes that nutritional values can vary between brands. Use the information for the exact variant you’re considering and calculate it based on the weight of your own serving.
No. Albert Heijn lists 374 kcal per 100 grams of dry corn, while its preparation instructions use oil. Calculate the whole recipe using the ingredients you add, then divide that value across the servings you actually eat.
Read and follow the instructions on the exact pack. Jumbo warns you not to restart the cooking process if it’s been interrupted.
A small serving or low sugar content alone doesn’t justify making such a nutrition claim. European rules apply to nutrition claims in commercial communications, and the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) oversees them in the Netherlands. Assess a claim against the conditions for that exact claim, and don’t describe a product as low-calorie based only on a comparison of serving sizes.
No. For AH Biologisch Popcorn mais, Albert Heijn lists the possible presence of cereals containing gluten, soya and wheat. If you have a relevant allergy, check the information on the pack of the exact variant; an ingredients list containing only corn doesn’t rule out cross-contamination.
