Movie Theatre Popcorn

iSteakers

We all know movie theatre popcorn is yummy, but not healthy. With all of the summer movies out and coming out how can you resist having it some of the time?!?!

Our "trick" is to order it with no butter and then we bring spray butter and white cheddar seasoning with us. We got a small travel spray bottle from target so we didn't have to bring a whole container of I Can't Believe It's Not Butter spray with us. We then consider our popcorn our lunch or dinner for that day.

It's a way to say calories while still having a treat since the spray butter and seasoning have no calories.

patriciagailwilliams

I just saw this on TV yesterday, the doctor show: a large popcorn without butter is still way, way, way too much fat because of the oil that it popped in, and too much sodium because they use salt on it. A better choice, calorie wise is a small hotdog with mustard and relish. Yes, it was hard to believe, but I had read that somewhere before. Hot dogs aren't all bad! And it's kind of a comfort food, from when we were kids in the summer time....I think.

babylemonade

I haven't been to the theater in a while but I always have Smartpop popcorn at home.

purplecait1212

Before I went to the movies last week I did a little looking up of movie theater popcorn nutrition info... even without butter the fat is out of this world. I think the best thing is to just say no!

Apryl546

I never have a problem with movie theatre popcorn because I'm not a huge fan of popcorn. But the other day I saw the New Harry Potter movie and really wanted popcorn.. So instead I bought a couple low call snacks instead. A special K bar and a small packet of peanuts.

Apryl546

Stupid double post..

barbiex3

honestly truth: I order a small bag without butter and eat the whole thing for myself =] ! MFP says its around 500 calories, but I feel like it's more, but treats at movies are something that are really hard for me to give up, so I just allow myself to do it =], but I don't go to movies that often =] ! I think popcorn is a good snack actually!

EmilyAnn89

i always just bring my own popcorn and snacks in a big purse, because it's way too EXPENSIVE!

photorific

I go to the movies *maybe* twice a year (there have been several year spans when I haven't gone at all)... I get the popcorn, with the disgusting "butter" and feel no guilt.

MsNiss

I also bring my own popcorn! You can either bring a bag of microwaved low fat, or air pop your own and add some seasonings

springfan

I air pop my popcorn at home and bring it with me. That way I can still have popcorn without all of the calories/fat/sodium.

springfan

I air pop my popcorn at home and bring it with me. That way I can still have popcorn without all of the calories/fat/sodium.

FL_Nettie

i always just bring my own popcorn and snacks in a big purse, because it's way too EXPENSIVE!

When I was a kid I thought my aunt was cheap because she brought her own snacks to the movies. Now I do the same thing

gandydancer

Yes, movie theatre popcorn is awful for you but good...I always pop a low cal microwave and stick in my tote in a baggie as I refuse to eat that fat when I can save it for something else, never noticed the difference either...and spray butter is good along with popcorn salt, makes all the difference.

anamikaraks

I just ran into this the other day. Once upon a time the theater sold air popped in a bag. Not the best, but OK. Now they don't. The options are: cheat and eat (less is better), smuggle, or forget it.

I chose not to have it, but I think next time I might talk to the manager about bringing my own.

marquesajen

I had some popcorn at HP when it came out, but I had many, many calories left over that day. I'm going today after work, but I have a half pbj with me to (hopefully) subside the need for popcorn.

christine24t

i will buy a treat at the convenience store before i go so i know how many calories it is!

edorice

i always just bring my own popcorn and snacks in a big purse, because it's way too EXPENSIVE!

When I was a kid I thought my aunt was cheap because she brought her own snacks to the movies. Now I do the same thing

Yep!!! I think my purse is now bigger than my mom's. I just put a bowl of Flame Broiler chicken in my purse so that my youngest didn't have to rush to finish her lunch. She ate the rest of her food in the theatre!!!

lclarkjr

I just budget the calories into my day or week. I'll have a smaller meal in the day since half of a large popcorn at the movies is quite filling.

chrisdavey

Everytime I've eaten popcorn, I end up nearly choking. Hence, I save my calories and don't buy any. Also, on the positive side is I am still alive after the movie.

sykin

I have some popcorn, but I rarely eat even a quarter of a small bag, so I'm never worried about it. It drives my husband crazy! I've started to buy the kids boxes (popcorn, candy, and small drink) for myself because it seems to be the perfect amount of popcorn and a candy, too! Plus, it's way cheaper. I just count it in to my calorie count for the day - at least I did when I saw Harry Potter last week I'll do that when I see it again (and again and again - hahaha). But honestly - one indulgence every once in a while won't kill you.

UnderCoverShyGirl

I too LOVE movie theater popcorn and could eat a small bag (extra butter please) to myself. I rarely go to the movies, so i've just switched it up and order the kids pack. As the previous poster said, i get my guilty snack, it's portion controlled, and I just make sure that i eat really healthy the rest of the day and consider that to be a bulk of calories for the day. I agree with bringing your own snacks, there is just something about theater popcorn i can't resist (aka FAT!)

iSteakers

I just saw this on TV yesterday, the doctor show: a large popcorn without butter is still way, way, way too much fat because of the oil that it popped in, and too much sodium because they use salt on it. A better choice, calorie wise is a small hotdog with mustard and relish. Yes, it was hard to believe, but I had read that somewhere before. Hot dogs aren't all bad! And it's kind of a comfort food, from when we were kids in the summer time....I think.

Yes high in fat and sodium, but you can fund the full counts online for some theatres and I have always been able to budget ALL nutrition info into my 1200 calorie diet including sodium and fat (I am very strict about it). So again it is possible. And hot dogs typically have more sodium than popcorn at least in my experience

javablondie

Great article about it: http://www.walletpop.com/2011/03/30/movie-theaters-not-happy-with-popcorn-calorie-report/

And movie theaters have lobbied hard to be excluded from the nutrition requirements that chain restaurants will have to abide by soon. Movie theaters should be included and at least be honest about the "food" they serve.

More here:
http://www.cspinet.org/new/200911182.html

iSteakers

Like I said movie theatre popcorn is not healthy, but I was offering a way to make it a little healthier. I honestly could do without popcorn because I'm not a big fan, but my boyfriend loves it and so this is how we do it and again if we budget it we can make it work for all of the nutrition counts and guess high on the counts.

Kohadre

In the famous words of mermaid man.

Theater popcorn is EVILLLLLLL!!!!!

1aprilaries

I also try 2 sneak in my own snacks. They charge so so much just to get in the movies & then u pay just as much for some popcorn. I hit the dollar store for the kids candy & drinks.