Portion-conscious coffee snackers
You want a measured snack to have with your coffee, choosing based on the calories in the amount you’ll actually eat, rather than just how light it is or how much sugar it contains.
Who is this guide for?
People short on time before heading out
You want popcorn that’s ready to take with you or that you can portion out in advance. Bear in mind that a whole pack isn’t necessarily one portion.
Home poppers with ingredient preferences
You can set aside time in advance and want to choose your own flavourings. Remember to factor in oil and toppings, and check the allergen information for the specific product.
What should you look out for?
First decide on your portion and the type of product you want. Then check the nutritional information and ingredients for the exact variety.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Calories per portion | Compare kcal per 100 g on the same product basis, and weigh the amount you’re taking with you. | If I want a measured amount with my coffee, I look at the energy content of that portion. Around 42% of consumers prioritise calories per portion. |
| Convenience and preparation | Check whether the popcorn is ready to eat or needs preparing, and how many portions the pack says it contains. | If I don’t have time to prepare popcorn just before leaving, convenience matters most. Around 33% of consumers prioritise being able to take it with them without any preparation. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Check the exact pack for sugar and salt levels, the ingredients and any ‘may contain’ warning. | If sugar, salt or a personal dietary restriction is a factor, I want to check the variety carefully. Around 25% of consumers start by checking the ingredients. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming light popcorn or low sugar means fewer calories
The labels for Albert Heijn products list 543 kcal per 100 g for AH Zoute popcorn and 419 kcal per 100 g for AH Popcorn zoet. The sweet variety also lists 45 g of sugar per 100 g; sugar and energy are separate values.
Compare the energy content and portion weight separately from flavour, sugar and salt.
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Counting a whole bag as one snack portion
The packs of AH Zoute popcorn and AH Popcorn zoet list portions of 25 g. So the portion size on the label may be smaller than the amount you eat from the bag.
Weigh out the amount you want to take with you before you leave.
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Comparing dry kernels directly with ready-to-eat popcorn
The value of 374 kcal per 100 g for AH Biologisch Popcorn mais applies to the dry kernels as sold, not automatically to a prepared portion. The preparation method uses oil.
Compare portions on the same basis, and include the oil and any toppings.
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Assuming an organic variety is automatically lower in calories
The organic label alone doesn’t tell you how much energy a product contains. AH Biologisch Zoute popcorn lists 514 kcal per 100 g.
Assess the energy content separately using the nutritional information for that variety.
Brands to consider
Albert Heijn
Offers ready-to-eat sweet and salted popcorn, as well as dry popcorn kernels for preparing at home.
- The labels for the varieties mentioned provide nutritional information to help you compare energy, sugar and salt across products.
- The value for dry kernels isn’t the final figure for prepared popcorn; oil and toppings count too.
Jumbo
Offers ready-to-eat salted popcorn and popcorn for preparing in the microwave, among other options.
- The product information lists nutritional values and preparation details for the varieties in question.
- The ready-to-eat salted variety may contain milk. The microwave variety contains palm oil and should be prepared according to the pack instructions.
Lidl
Sells popcorn under its own Snack Day brand; the sea salt variety is listed as a store product.
- The product listing helps you identify the relevant product type and pack.
- The sea salt description doesn’t indicate that the product is low in salt or energy.
ALDI
Lists SUN SNACKS Zoute popcorn as a ready-to-eat variety.
- The product listing makes it easy to identify the salted popcorn option.
- Don’t take the flavour description as an indication of energy, nutritional value or whether you’ll like the taste.
Popcorn at Joybuy
These product picks are suited to anyone looking for popcorn to have with coffee and wanting to choose their own portion and flavour.
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SNACK MAZE Cinema Butter popcorn, 240 g
For anyone looking for cinema-style popcorn; weigh out your portion if you want to keep track of how much you eat.
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g'woon Sweet Popcorn, 175 g
For anyone looking for sweet popcorn and wanting to weigh out their own portion; check the nutritional information for this variety.
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Yousmai Pengranxindong Popcorn (Caramel), 120 g
For anyone wanting to take caramel popcorn with them without preparing it in advance; check the ingredients and allergen information on the pack.
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g'woon Salted Popcorn, 100 g
For anyone looking for salted popcorn; weigh out your portion and check the nutritional information for the exact variety.
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Pop Corn, 3 x 100 g
For anyone wanting to prepare popcorn in the microwave at home before heading out; remember to allow time for it to cook.
Frequently asked questions
Can popcorn with around 100 kcal per small portion be called ‘low calorie’?
Not on the basis of the portion alone. Under European Commission rules, a commercial claim that a solid food is low in energy is only permitted if it contains no more than 40 kcal (170 kJ) per 100 g. It’s better to state the energy content for a clearly specified portion.
How do I work out the calories when I make popcorn myself?
Add together the energy from the amount of dry kernels, oil and toppings you use, then divide it by the number of portions you make. The 374 kcal per 100 g for AH Biologisch Popcorn mais applies to the kernels as sold, not automatically to prepared popcorn.
How should I store an opened bag of popcorn for the next working day?
For the ready-to-eat varieties mentioned, Albert Heijn advises sealing the pack properly after use and storing it in a cool, dark, dry place. Also follow the best-before information on the pack; it doesn’t give a guaranteed storage period once opened.
Is popcorn suitable if I need to avoid gluten or milk?
Always check the information for the exact variety. Jumbo Popcorn Zout may contain milk; AH Biologisch Popcorn mais may contain cereals containing gluten, soya and wheat. If you’re preparing popcorn yourself, also check the labels of any ingredients you add.
What warning applies to the microwave popcorn reviewed?
Follow the instructions on the pack. For Jumbo Magnetron Popcorn Zout, don’t restart the cooking process after an interruption. The product instructions also say that children should prepare it only under supervision.