Popcorn as a snack?

I think popcorn is great—especially if you pop bulk kernels instead of those bags with yucky chemicals. I actually put 1/4 cup in a paper bag, fold the top two times, put upright in the microwave for 3 min until it stops, and voila! I don't used butter spray—I just melt a 1/2 tbsp butter and pour it over with a little salt. Last week I used olive oil spray instead and added pepper—tasted just like salt and pepper chips!!!

I think it is a good whole grain snack, and actually has a lot of benefits including antioxidants. Might not be lots of protein, so make sure you're filling that gap with other things. But as far as 100 cal snacks go, it's a good choice!

I've developed a new popcorn snacking habit. I've been buying those 100 calorie microwave bags. *Apparently* the chemicals in them can cause cancer so I've been considering just making my own air-popped popcorn. My main question is, I can have a pretty decent portion of popcorn for 100 calories but is it a wasted 100 calories considering there's little nutritional value? Just looking for thoughts/opinions.

Thanks :flowerforyou:

Popcorn has lots of fiber, and you can eat a lot of it for a small amount of calories. It's a good snack.

I think as long as you're eating a pretty decent diet with other healthy foods, popcorn is a great snack. I eat popcorn at least once a week and use the air popper and 1-2 sprays of butter flavored spray, a little salt and pepper.

I think this is a great idea, and recently dug out my hot air popper... who knew we would have a need for those all these years later.. mines been put up for like 10 yrs. lol I use I cannot believe its butter. yum yum

Most of the general grocery store is GMO corn. I'd seek an certified organic brand and air-pop it.

I'm obsessed with popcorn! Low cal, lots of fiber, and I recently read it has a lot of antioxidants. I bought through Crate and Barrel a 3 minute air popping machine . It is SO great - uses no oil.
For toppings I love Nutritional Yeast. Grapeseed oil is so good ( if I have the calories to spare)

I think popcorn is a great snack! It's filling and fun and feels like a junk food but since it's got so much fiber it can really fill you up. I like to pop mine in a paper bag in the microwave and then add about 1tsp of melted butter, some parmesan cheese, cayenne & chopped garlic to it. Makes it super tasty!

I was actually wondering the same thing.tosay snce its easy for me to grab and take to work for my break; good to know!

If you're talking about the effects from diacetyl in the butter flavoring, the studies were showing harmful effects on employees who worked around the fumes for 8 hour shifts. Keeping dosage and context in mind, I really wouldn't worry about the effects of ingesting it in moderation much in the same way that I wouldn't worry about aspartame from my "few cans per week" habit of diet soda.

I would however, suggest not inhaling fake butter for hours on end.

Popcorn is one of my favorite snacks. The popcorn is popped on top of the stove in 1 Tbls of coconut oil. When served 1 TBLS of Barlean's virgin Coconut oil to sub for butter. I sprinkle lightly with pink himalayan salt. The Coconut oil is a good source of fat and other nutrients and good for the thyroid and speeding up metabolism. Coconut oil never goes to fat it is used as energy going directly to the liver so I do not count the coconut oil in my calories. You can if you chooose to do so, but I have been told it is not necessary to do so.

The Popcorn does not taste like Coconuts it has a rich buttery flavor. I open up 2 capsules of Natures bounty 2000 mgs of cinnamon/chrominum picanate.(Cinnamon is said to help with weight loss, speeds up metabolism, very healthy spice) Lastly I add a small pkg of nunaturals nu-stevia and shake the bowl. I this sweet,spicy,salty combination and it is very healthy for me. I can eat a large bowl that is full of fiber and filling. I worry whether my popcorn is GMO and trying to find a organic brand I can buy from Europe. If anyone has a suggestion of organic popcorn please let us know.

I'm weird and find popcorn tasty with a hot sauce called tapitillo... It's amazing tho lol

lemon and tapatio!!... mmmmmm

bah, everything causes cancer lately. so, just enjoy your lives, eat what you want (in moderation of course) and make sure to be physically active and you should be alright! I love popcorn too, microwavable or not. somehow popcorn from the cinemas are amazingly delicious.. lol.

I LOVE POPCORN!!

I too make it on the stove with coconut oil (but I count it...the calories in oil aren't cheap, but the oil itself is EXTREMELY healthy for you). The idea of paperbag in the microwave is brilliant and I am definitely going to try it.

Keep on with the popcorn if it helps keep you on track. It's definitely one of the better choices for a savoury snack out there.

/hugs

Air popcorn ...so good. Of helps with my mindless must eat feeling.

I like a little powered sugar or parmesan cheese. Even toss mini chocolate chips in when still warm.

Mmm....

Good good.

You can get a container of plain popping kernels and do it in the microwave yourself. Just use a brown paper bag and put about 3 tbsp of kernels in there, fold over the top, and microwave 2:30 to 3:00 until it's done but not burnt. It makes a big bag of it, and it's only 120 calories.

I love my air popper, though it is a bit loud. I have all those popcorn sprinkle seasoning and they only add 5 calories for my whole bowl. Awesome snack!