Healthy Popcorn

ladyark
ladyark Posts: 1,101 Member
in Food and Nutrition
Hi All...i have been trying to cut back on my processed "out of a box" snacks but, i love popcorn. I normally but the 100 calorie microwave bags but they are very processed and full of garbage. Do any of you pop your own popcorn?

I am going to buy a popcorn popper tommorow ( walmart has one you put in the microwave) and it says it can be used with or without oil. Have you ever made it without oil? I would prefer to go that route. You can eat sooo much of it for sooo little calories popping it yourself.

Just want to make sure its something worth getting and using. Thanks

Replies

  • AmyRhubarb
    AmyRhubarb Posts: 6,890 Member
    You can pop your own in a brown paper bag in your microwave - works great! I use 1/4 cup popcorn kernels, put them in the bag, fold the top down twice, and set the microwave on it's popcorn cycle (or do it however you would pop the store bought micro-stuff). When it's done, I dump it in a bowl, top it with coconut oil and a shake of salt - delicious!

    Much cheaper and healthier than the boxed stuff for sure!

    Oh, and you can use the same bag over and over - I usually get about 4 or 5 batches before it gets a hole in a corner or on the seam. :bigsmile: Now I think I'm gonna go make some popcorn!
  • ladyark
    ladyark Posts: 1,101 Member
    WOW i didnt know that you can do that with popcorn. I may try that but, still want the popper because i love gadgets for the kitchen lol. Glad to know i dont need to use oil. Thanks for sharing :)
  • mhuch110
    mhuch110 Posts: 130 Member
    I have a hot air popper and I use it all the time!
  • doitforabby
    doitforabby Posts: 137 Member
    Funny you should post this ... I have budgeted my calories for the day to include popcorn popped on the stove with REAL butter. BUT I'm starving right about now and don't plan on the popcorn until about 8pm. and that is IF the nascar race is actually on (hearing lots of rain in the area of the race). I love popcorn too, real popcorn, not microwave kind. The coconut oil has me intriged a little. I wonder ... does it actually taste like coconut?

    I don't advocate for doing what I am doing, and now that I have it logged already, I don't think I'll do it again anytime soon. I'm actually counting it as my dinner!

    I'm going to try the brown bag thing too ... need to get some brown paper bags!
  • mamagooskie
    mamagooskie Posts: 2,964 Member
    I make my own popcorn, I have an air popper and an oil popper. I like the air popper for low cal but the oil popper only adds a bit of cal/fat (well I guess it depends on how much oil you use) but it tastes more like a "treat"

    The air popper is quicker though.
  • WickedBean
    WickedBean Posts: 244 Member
    I use my stove popper and air pop my popcorn, i use olive oil (its the only oil I buy) and add a little salt to the kernels and when its done i just eat it like that its fantastic.
  • thalpal
    thalpal Posts: 2
    Have you thought of roasting cauliflower? If you cut/separate the florets into small pcs and season with parm or nutrional yeast, you can "feel" like you are eating popcorn. The bonus is that it is full of fiber and low calorie, you would be surprised. Recipes are available all over the internet, just search califlower popcorn, Hope this helps.
  • AmyRhubarb
    AmyRhubarb Posts: 6,890 Member
    Funny you should post this ... I have budgeted my calories for the day to include popcorn popped on the stove with REAL butter. BUT I'm starving right about now and don't plan on the popcorn until about 8pm. and that is IF the nascar race is actually on (hearing lots of rain in the area of the race). I love popcorn too, real popcorn, not microwave kind. The coconut oil has me intriged a little. I wonder ... does it actually taste like coconut?

    I don't advocate for doing what I am doing, and now that I have it logged already, I don't think I'll do it again anytime soon. I'm actually counting it as my dinner!

    I'm going to try the brown bag thing too ... need to get some brown paper bags!
    The coconut oil does have a little coconutty taste - it's not overwhelming at all. I use it to cook my eggs in the morning, and use it with the popcorn all the time. At first I used half butter, half coconut oil, but gradually switched to all coconut - it gives it kind of a toasted, sweet taste. I like it!
  • ktsmom430
    ktsmom430 Posts: 1,100 Member
    I use a hot air popper. It is very low calorie without the oil & butter. I eat it plain, but you can use the butter sprays and other toppings. Very high in fiber and good for you without all the processed things that are added in the microwave popcorn. Popping it in a brown paper bag in the microwave would be the same as for the hot air popper.

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