Popcorn - Never again

donjtomasco

I finally counted all calories in making popcorn last night. Even in a wok, it took 7 tablespoons of Peanut Oil to get enough in the bottom of the wok to pop popcorn. Then I measured out 6 tablespoons of Orville Reddenbacher kernels. Total calories to pop this way:

120 cals per tablespoon peanut oil, x 7 = 840 calories
120 cals per serving kernels (x 2 for 6 table spoons) = 240 calories
Total Calories before salt and grated parmesan cheese 1,089 calories

I then backed up and punted and ate yogurt with 1/2 cup of cashews mixed in for a much lower calorie evening snack.

Time to purchase a new hot air popcorn popper..........

It is painful to finally take the blinders off and measure and calculate ALL calories in everything that I eat, but obviously I have to if I am serious about accurately burning calories over time. This was a blind spot that needed addressing (oil popped popcorn).

RoyBeck

Why not just divide it into 5 containers and enjoy 218 calories over 5 days:)

stacimarie1015

I love popcorn and use a hot air popper. For buttery taste I spray on a little of the low cal spray. It says no cal, but that just means it is less than .5 grams c/f/p in a serving with a serving being something like 1/3 second spray. I figure 4-5 seconds is 15 servings x .5 grams is 30-70 cals.

heatherharget

I use air popper too. I LOVE popcorn.. I dont think I could give it up. It been easier to give up sweets I think

cmriverside

I cook popcorn on the stovetop in a pan. I use 1 teaspoon of oil in the popper for that same amount of kernels.

Granted I use the medium-low heat setting and have to shake the pan quite a lot, but seven tablespoons sounds really excessive. You don't have to cover the popcorn. I use 80g of kernels (6 tablespoons.)

jasondjulian

Yeah, but if for example, you take their white kernel popcorn for popping, one serving size is 3Tbsp (40g) of kernels, to make 7 cups of popcorn popped at 120 calories per, as you accurately state.

So you made two helpings, which when I made it the other night, seemed generous and could have provided for 3 people, easily. so 1089/3 is 363 calories.. still a lot for a late snack I think, but more reasonable than downing more than half my days calories for popcorn.

But yes, an air popper would be better. I didn't seem to need so much oil when I popped mine in my dutch oven teh other night.. are you super sure you needed 7Tbsp of oil?

apullum

When I want low calorie popcorn, I pop it in a paper bag in the microwave. (Edit: I'm referring to putting some kernels in a brown paper lunch sack, not a bag of prepackaged microwave popcorn.)
No oil at all, but you do need to be VERY careful to make sure it doesn't burn, and you shouldn't expect every kernel to pop--it will burn before that happens. It does come out a bit bland like this, so I recommend adding a small amount of oil or other liquid flavoring (so it will stick to dry popcorn) after it pops.

When I want oily salty goodness, I use a Whirly Pop pot. 0.75 to 1 ounce of oil for 4 ounces of kernels, plus seasonings. If you split that bowl with one other person, you would have about 300 calories each.

amusedmonkey

apullum wrote: »

When I want low calorie popcorn, I pop it in a paper bag in the microwave. (Edit: I'm referring to putting some kernels in a brown paper lunch sack, not a bag of prepackaged microwave popcorn.)
No oil at all, but you do need to be VERY careful to make sure it doesn't burn, and you shouldn't expect every kernel to pop--it will burn before that happens. It does come out a bit bland like this, so I recommend adding a small amount of oil or other liquid flavoring (so it will stick to dry popcorn) after it pops.

When I want oily salty goodness, I use a Whirly Pop pot. 0.75 to 1 ounce of oil for 4 ounces of kernels, plus seasonings. If you split that bowl with one other person, you would have about 300 calories each.

I use these for microwave popcorn. They pop just as many kernels as stovetop.

https://smile.amazon.com/Original-HOTPOP-Microwave-Collapsible-Dishwasher/dp/B01M1CJNXH/

diannethegeek

donjtomasco wrote: »

It is painful to finally take the blinders off and measure and calculate ALL calories in everything that I eat, but obviously I have to if I am serious about accurately burning calories over time. This was a blind spot that needed addressing (oil popped popcorn).

Sounds like you learned a needed lesson, as much as it sucks. Glad you were able to spot it and address it in the future!

garber6th

Trader Joe's has air-popped popcorn. SO good!

WholeFoods4Lyfe

You don't need an air popper, you can actually throw kernels in to a regular old brown paper bag, and microwave.

Kalex1975

amusedmonkey wrote: »

apullum wrote: »

When I want low calorie popcorn, I pop it in a paper bag in the microwave. (Edit: I'm referring to putting some kernels in a brown paper lunch sack, not a bag of prepackaged microwave popcorn.)
No oil at all, but you do need to be VERY careful to make sure it doesn't burn, and you shouldn't expect every kernel to pop--it will burn before that happens. It does come out a bit bland like this, so I recommend adding a small amount of oil or other liquid flavoring (so it will stick to dry popcorn) after it pops.

When I want oily salty goodness, I use a Whirly Pop pot. 0.75 to 1 ounce of oil for 4 ounces of kernels, plus seasonings. If you split that bowl with one other person, you would have about 300 calories each.

I use these for microwave popcorn. They pop just as many kernels as stovetop.

https://smile.amazon.com/Original-HOTPOP-Microwave-Collapsible-Dishwasher/dp/B01M1CJNXH/

I use a similar product, works great... hardly any unpopped kernels and never have an issue with burning!

To get salt or other seasonings to stick I spray a little vinegar or sometimes water. My favorite is to mix a touch of water, some liquid sucralose, and vanilla... tastes just like kettle corn.

Lounmoun

I started using my smallest pot to make less popcorn at a time because if I cook it I will eat right away not divide it into small portions for days. I have an air popper on my wish list.

apullum

amusedmonkey wrote: »

apullum wrote: »

When I want low calorie popcorn, I pop it in a paper bag in the microwave. (Edit: I'm referring to putting some kernels in a brown paper lunch sack, not a bag of prepackaged microwave popcorn.)
No oil at all, but you do need to be VERY careful to make sure it doesn't burn, and you shouldn't expect every kernel to pop--it will burn before that happens. It does come out a bit bland like this, so I recommend adding a small amount of oil or other liquid flavoring (so it will stick to dry popcorn) after it pops.

When I want oily salty goodness, I use a Whirly Pop pot. 0.75 to 1 ounce of oil for 4 ounces of kernels, plus seasonings. If you split that bowl with one other person, you would have about 300 calories each.

I use these for microwave popcorn. They pop just as many kernels as stovetop.

https://smile.amazon.com/Original-HOTPOP-Microwave-Collapsible-Dishwasher/dp/B01M1CJNXH/

I can see the benefit of that, but then I have to buy a thing and have it take up space in my kitchen. Little paper bags are free for me because my grocery store provides them for produce. I just put away my fruit and save the bag.

autumnblade75

I can confirm that the stovetop poppers can do fine with a teaspoon of oil and up to 100g of corn in a single batch. My brother got me one for Christmas, and it's one of my favorite kitchen gadgets. https://www.amazon.com/Great-Northern-Popcorn-Stainless-Stove/dp/B00608D66G/ref=sr_1_7_sspa?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1531505694&sr=1-7-spons&keywords=back+to+basics+stovetop+popper&psc=1

PWRLFTR1

Couldn't you just make less? I only use 1 tbsp of oil and 1/4 cup of kernels. I agree with using a smaller pot.

Diatonic12

Never say never, it will come back to bite you in the rearend. Do everything on your own terms. You lurve popcorn. Make less or measure your portion out. That is all.

walking2running

i pop a huge amount ( on the stove top) and then i divide into reasonable portions in ziplock bags

donjtomasco

Thank you! What I never knew was that I could put just enough oil in to coat the bottom of a pan. Ha! All I have ever see and done is put enough oil in so that the kernels are completely covered by oil. I will do a few trial runs and see what happens. I love the microwave idea with a brown paper bag too.

Thanks for your comments.

AnnPT77

Another option: I microwave popcorn kernels - no oil - in a small covered pyrex casserole dish. Run microwave until poppy noises slow/stop - done.

The only complexity is figuring out how many grams of kernels your dish fits without lifting its cover.

No bags, cheap, simple.

donjtomasco

I just used a restaurant to go container with the plastic top and seals the container and put 3 tablespoons of kernels in it, popped till the popcorn almost popped to the top, which was 2 minutes, removed the popcorn and measured out the kernels that did not pop, leaving me popped popcorn from between 1-2 tablespoons and it is really light and puffy. So much easier then the stove too.

What a treat. This is why I post things that I don't know should be posted or not, I never know what people will say. Your answers led me to a tasty snack that now has 40-60 calories in it. WOW!!!! HOW COOL!!!!!!!