How to Compare Protein per Euro in German Supermarkets

A low shelf price does not necessarily buy the most protein. Compare the grams of protein in an edible amount of food divided by the euros paid for that amount. This guide is specific to German grocery shopping, where pack size, drained weight, cooking yield and region-dependent shelf prices can change the result. It adds a real-label worked example to the broader approach in the general protein-and-fibre-per-euro method. It does not rank protein quality, dietary suitability or overall health by a single number.

Formula: what does a euro buy?

For a food that is fully usable as sold, protein per euro = pack weight (g) × label protein per 100 g ÷ 100 ÷ pack price (€). For 20 g protein, cost = 20 ÷ protein per euro. A second useful metric is cost per realistic serving, because eating a whole dry-lentil bag in one sitting would be absurd. Values on a raw label must be applied to raw weight; values on a cooked label to cooked weight. Do not mix them.

German price and nutrition snapshot — 19 October 2026

Two examples have both a visible online price and product-specific nutrition. The displayed values were checked for this article on 19 October 2026; online availability, location, promotions and the actual till price can differ. These examples are not a representative survey of every German supermarket.

Product and linked listing Pack price Dry protein /100 g Protein in whole pack Protein per € Model cost of 20 g protein
dmBio red lentils, 500 g €1.45 26 g 130 g 89.7 g €0.22
dmBio beluga lentils, 500 g €2.45 23 g 115 g 46.9 g €0.43

The calculations are 500 × 26/100 = 130 g; 130/1.45 = 89.655... g/€; 20/89.655... = €0.223. For beluga lentils, 500 × 23/100 = 115 g; 115/2.45 = 46.938... g/€; 20/46.938... = €0.426. Monetary numbers are rounded after calculation. The dm listing for red lentils displayed a delivery availability warning when checked, so treat the example as a price snapshot, not proof that you can buy it today. The prices exclude potential shipping charges.

What about skyr and other refrigerated proteins?

REWE's ja! plain skyr, 500 g lists 10.6 g protein per 100 g, so the pack contains 53 g protein. However, REWE requires a store location before giving a definite price; do not invent one. To calculate its result, write 53 ÷ local pack price. If a reader's shelf tag happens to show €1.49, the illustrative calculation is 35.6 g/€ and €0.56 per 20 g. That €1.49 is a hypothetical input, not a verified current REWE price. A 150 g portion supplies 15.9 g protein according to the same retailer label. The example also contains milk and needs refrigeration.

REWE's oat-flake category also requires the location to determine prices. For any oats, eggs, tofu, cheese or legumes sold nearby, copy the actual euro price and product-specific protein figure into the same formula. The mathematically cheapest pack may not fit your allergies, eating pattern or recipe.

When dry beans and lentils absorb water

Dry lentils increase in weight when cooked, but water does not create protein. Suppose 75 g dry red lentils contain 26 g protein per 100 g: they begin with an estimated 19.5 g protein and cost €0.22 from the €1.45/500 g example (75/500 × €1.45 = €0.2175). If they cook to 180 g, the original 19.5 g is now spread through 180 g of cooked food; cooking losses and draining can change actual values. You must not multiply 180 g by the dry 26 g/100 g label. The yield here is an illustration, not a guarantee.

Canned foods: use drained edible grams

A can sold as 400 g total weight might contain only 240 g of drained beans. If the can costs €0.89 and its drained edible contents have 7 g protein per 100 g, that gives 16.8 g protein per can, 18.9 g per euro, and €1.06 per 20 g of protein (extrapolated). These are clearly hypothetical label inputs, not verified prices or nutrition for a particular brand. For several servings, use the real drained weight printed on the can and check whether the nutrition table refers to the drained contents or the food plus liquid.

Portion-level comparison and food budgets

Example serving Basis Approx. protein Ingredient cost
75 g dry dmBio red lentils Pack label and €1.45/500 g 19.5 g €0.22
75 g dry dmBio beluga lentils Pack label and €2.45/500 g 17.25 g €0.37
150 g REWE ja! plain skyr REWE label; price location-dependent 15.9 g Local price × 0.30

The table measures the cost of the ingredient portion, not a complete meal. Lentils require cooking and often vegetables or grain; skyr requires cold storage. Add energy, water and other ingredients to price a finished meal. One serving of lentils alone is not necessarily a balanced lunch; use budget vegetarian meal examples for complete combinations.

Six traps that distort protein-per-euro rankings

First, comparing wet weight with dry nutrients exaggerates protein. Second, using the total can weight instead of the drained weight overstates the edible quantity. Third, comparing different serving sizes hides real spending. Fourth, sale tags and location-specific pricing can reverse a ranking; note both price and date. Fifth, cooking fuel, refrigerator space and leftovers matter when deciding between dried and ready-to-eat products. Sixth, protein grams alone ignore energy, fibre, salt, allergies, taste and overall variety. A protein powder or enriched bar is not automatically a better bargain or a more appropriate food because its label says “high protein.”

A repeatable five-minute supermarket check

  1. Photograph or write down the product name, pack price, amount, label state and protein per 100 g.
  2. Identify whether the listed amount is dry, drained, raw or ready to eat.
  3. Calculate pack protein; divide by price. Keep more decimals until the final result.
  4. Choose a realistic serving and compute protein and cost for that serving.
  5. Add preparation and storage costs if comparing complete meals. Repeat when price changes.

What this method cannot establish

A higher protein-per-euro value is only a value-for-money metric. Protein digestibility, amino acid profiles and a person's requirements differ. This guide does not prescribe a protein target, guarantee shopping availability or prove that one food is healthier. For pricing, Germany is not one uniform market: products and offers differ among branches, cities, and online channels. Recheck the real shelf price immediately before buying.

Sources