We are pleased to announce that on March 4, 2025, an updated Rich Text Editor will be introduced in the MyFitnessPal Community. To learn more about the upcoming changes, please click here. We look forward to sharing this new feature with you!

Popcorn

cnjg6677
cnjg6677 Posts: 177 Member
edited December 2024 in Food and Nutrition
Can someone please help me understand popcorn labels! I bought a box of Orville Redenbacher smart pop and it says 3tbsp unpoped is 100 cal 5.5 servings per bag at 15 calories per cup popped but if I get every kernel to pop it’s only 3 cups per bag not 5.5 do I just measure the 3 cups at 15 cal a cup so the whole bag popped is 45 calories ???

Replies

  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,462 Member
    Cups are a volume measurement, not really good for solids at all. Not only that, a cup (volume) measurement should fall 1/8-1/4 inch BELOW the rim of the cup, not filled to the top.

    If you are using a too high heat, your kernels may be opening less than they would at a lower heat which would also make them smaller. Kernels are the calories, not size. I think your problem is over-filling the cup. Use the full 5.5 cup calories, as the bag states. They aren't shorting you by 30%, so it's in your preparation or your cup measuring.

    That said, I pop my corn in a pot on the stove. With oil and add butter and stuff. . .so I know what to log. But if a few kernels don't pop, I still log the amount I measured out before popping.
  • amusedmonkey
    amusedmonkey Posts: 10,330 Member
    I always go by unpopped weight, not popped cups. If too many don't pop I just subtract the weight of those from the original weight.
  • springlering62
    springlering62 Posts: 9,069 Member
    Hot air popper fan here. They are fantastic and no oils necessary.

    I out about half a tbsp if homemade butter and a dash of truffle salt. Smells and tastes like heaven.

  • cnjg6677
    cnjg6677 Posts: 177 Member
    This makes a lot of sense thank you so.now I can take the 15 cal a cup and multiple by 5.5 and know the bag is 100 cal unpoped and 82.5 cal poped this community is so helpful
    Cups are a volume measurement, not really good for solids at all. Not only that, a cup (volume) measurement should fall 1/8-1/4 inch BELOW the rim of the cup, not filled to the top.

    If you are using a too high heat, your kernels may be opening less than they would at a lower heat which would also make them smaller. Kernels are the calories, not size. I think your problem is over-filling the cup. Use the full 5.5 cup calories, as the bag states. They aren't shorting you by 30%, so it's in your preparation or your cup measuring.

    That said, I pop my corn in a pot on the stove. With oil and add butter and stuff. . .so I know what to log. But if a few kernels don't pop, I still log the amount I measured out before popping.

  • Katmary71
    Katmary71 Posts: 7,298 Member
    I weigh unpopped too and use a microwave air popper. My favorite low cal way is a little coconut aminos, smoked paprika, and garlic powder. I usually have microwave popcorn at my parent's and it's 4 cups popped for about 150 calories which is less than my 5 cups air popped so something is off, I need to check USDA.
  • wilson10102018
    wilson10102018 Posts: 1,306 Member
    Stove top popper + Pam +60g Orville's Original.

    Lots of powdered salt.
This discussion has been closed.