Popcorn is delicious, satisfying, crunchy, and fun to eat. It's nature's snack food.
There are so many different ways to make and flavor popcorn, but unfortunately, some of those tasty methods turn this healthy snack into one loaded with sugar and sodium.
So let's look at the nutritional breakdown of 1 cup of each to see how they compare.
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| Calories | Fat (g) | Sodium (mg) | Carbs (g) | Sugar (g) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air popped popcorn | 31 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 0 |
| Stove-top with oil & salt | 55 | 3 | 97 | 6 | 0 |
| Orville Redenbacher's Microwave popcorn (ultimate butter) | 55 | 3 | 40 | 3 | 0 |
| Orville Redenbacher's Microwave popcorn (light, butter) | 40 | 1 | 35 | 4 | 0 |
| Newman's Own Organics Microwave popcorn (butter) | 46 | 2.6 | 54 | 4.9 | 0 |
| Popcorn Indiana Kettle corn | 60 | 1.8 | 48 | 11 | 5.5 |
| Movie theater popcorn with butter | 83 | 7 | - | 4 | - |
| Smartfood (cheddar cheese flavored) | 162 | 10 | 294 | 14.2 | 3 |
| Cracker Jack with peanuts | 240 | 4 | 140 | 46 | 30 |
| Crunch and Munch (buttery toffee with peanuts) | 128 | 4.6 | 147 | 21 | 12 |
| Poppycock (cashew lovers) | 280 | 12 | 180 | 42 | 24 |
| Fiddle Faddle (Honey nut) | 260 | 7 | 480 | 48 | 30 |
| Caramel Corn | 243 | 12 | 357 | 34 | 26 |
Fit's Tips: The sodium and sugar content of movie theater popcorn was impossible to find, so that makes me think it's even worse than I imagine. So the next time you go to the movies, forget about buying over-priced, unhealthy snacks - why not bring your own? I always pop my own popcorn and bring it along in my purse with a water bottle. That way I won't be tempted to buy the movie theater popcorn when I smell the fake, yet mesmerizing, buttery aroma. I also like to pack some dark chocolate, almonds and dried cranberries.
Since movie theaters make most of their profits by selling overpriced snacks, you gotta keep your homemade treats on the down low. Wait until the lights go dim before enjoying your tasty snacks.
Timberland
Buffalo
Boden
I used to work in a movie theater, and developed this insane addiction to theater popcorn. However, now that I know how HUGE the mark-up is, I never buy anything from the concession area. I just bring my big purse and typically a jacket (since theaters are always so cold!) and stash my treats there.
1Not a popcorn fan but occasionally I will have a couple handfuls. It is also good if you buy bags of kernels (I go for the white Jiffy Pop variety) spray the inside of a brown paper lunch bag with a couple shots of cooking spray (ie Pam) then put in about 2 TBLS of kernels and set the microwave on 'popcorn' setting. Just make sure you're close to stop it when the popping starts to subside. Throw in a bowl and sprinkle on some salt or cayenne pepper. Wow that was a long post for someone who isn't fond of popcorn
2I usually do the same - kettlecorn, almonds, kashi cereal, dark chocolate, and dried fruit. mmmm...
3i pop a 100 calorie pack of popcorn and stuff it in my purse. there is actually a good amount of popcorn in there!
im actually going to go see knocked up tonight and bring my own popcorn with me!
4I love popcorn. I was take the natural kind. The air popped.
5Way healthier and i have this kinda butter phobia. haha.
So how many cups are ina normal bag? I always get confused by the info on the side of the box. but i LOVE popcorn. It's probably my favorite food and I can't live without it. Thank goodness the decent for you kind still tastes good! mmmmmm now I want more
6The sides of the bag are really confusing. They give you everything in a different measurment! Even the bags of 94% FF kind had way more calories that I thought.
I love the mini-bags (100 calorie bags) but, my mom gets regular butter and I get the 94& FF kind...mine are WAY bigger!
I bring my own snacks regardless of how healthy they are. Movie theater's snacks are such a rip-off, if I didn't bring my own snacks, we would go hungry or go home, literally.
7I never eat much popcorn.
8i never eat it because it messes with my stomach
9how is it possible that the air popped popcorn which has NOTHING on it has more calories than the Orville Redenbacher's Microwave popcorn (light, butter)..makes no sense whatsoever
10Every summer I go to the local farmer who sells fresh sweet corn and they sell fresh popcorn by the quart sized sandwich bag full for $2.00. This taste so much better than store bought popcorn that has been sitting on the shelf for who knows how long. It pops up really well and you don't even need butter or salt. I also use an air popper, but do sometimes use the old fashioned way of the stove too.
11aww i love the caramel corn
12Ha! I love Fits tip to sneak in your own snacks...I ALWAYS do that!
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