Popcorn?

FinallyFindingLisa
FinallyFindingLisa Posts: 222 Member
edited October 5 in Food and Nutrition
I find at night that I like dessert, something, almost anything. I'm allowing 1-2 x week with a low fat, low sugar ice cream bar or frozen yogurt and I eat a TON of s/f jello with some whip cream. Last night I had 4 cups of "light" microwave popcorn (Yes, I measured it :laugh: )

So what I'm wondering is if anyone else eats that as a snack? Is it considered a "whole grain" or is it part of the evil "white starchy" category. This will help me to decide if I can eat it just once and a while or if it can go in the s/f jello category. At 30 cals/cup it's pretty low in calories and if you measure up 4 cups, it is a TON for just 120 calories.
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Replies

  • goddesshanna
    goddesshanna Posts: 69 Member
    Popcorn is indeed considered a whole grain... the only thing that can make it bad is what you put on it.
  • guppygirl322
    guppygirl322 Posts: 408 Member
    I was always under the impression that it was a great, whole grain snack, as long as you go for the all natural kind, not the microwave stuff slathered in chemicals. Even if you pop it with a bit of healthy oil you're still good, I think.
  • bgeer34
    bgeer34 Posts: 135 Member
    air popped is even lower in calories... :)
  • Silvercivic
    Silvercivic Posts: 156 Member
    This isn't an answer to your question, but it is related to popcorn! I don't know how I didn't know about this before, but I just found out that you can make your own microwave popcorn! Take 1/4 cup popcorn kernels, put them in a brown paper bag with some oil (I use 1/2 tsp) and some seasoning (salt or whatever you want), shake it up, fold down the top of the bag 2 times, put it in the microwave and pop until it is done! Quick, easy, cheap, low calorie snack!
  • ElizabethRoad
    ElizabethRoad Posts: 5,138 Member
    This isn't an answer to your question, but it is related to popcorn! I don't know how I didn't know about this before, but I just found out that you can make your own microwave popcorn! Take 1/4 cup popcorn kernels, put them in a brown paper bag with some oil (I use 1/2 tsp) and some seasoning (salt or whatever you want), shake it up, fold down the top of the bag 2 times, put it in the microwave and pop until it is done! Quick, easy, cheap, low calorie snack!
    This is one of those things that I never thought of, and now I feel silly for not thinking of it. Not that I've priced it out, but I'm betting popcorn kernels are cheaper than bags of microwave popcorn.
  • geri1955
    geri1955 Posts: 106
    I eat a full bag of popcorn a night! its 148 calories and I minus it off my cal intake diary!!! There are brands that are only 100 cal a bag I think orville reddenbacher makes it!!! i eat whatever I want as long as i stay within my range, im good!!!
  • stenochick0417
    stenochick0417 Posts: 124 Member
    I eat a bag of the Orville Reddenbacher smart pop every afternoon. I just budget for it in my calories and I'm good to go! :bigsmile:
  • FinallyFindingLisa
    FinallyFindingLisa Posts: 222 Member
    This isn't an answer to your question, but it is related to popcorn! I don't know how I didn't know about this before, but I just found out that you can make your own microwave popcorn! Take 1/4 cup popcorn kernels, put them in a brown paper bag with some oil (I use 1/2 tsp) and some seasoning (salt or whatever you want), shake it up, fold down the top of the bag 2 times, put it in the microwave and pop until it is done! Quick, easy, cheap, low calorie snack!

    Holy smokes - I never thought of that! I can keep the store bought stuff for work and try that at home - fabulous!
  • kent4j
    kent4j Posts: 391 Member
    OOOH I'm going to try that! I make my own on the stove with a little olive oil but that sounds good when I don't want to clean a pan or just make a little.
  • theginnyray
    theginnyray Posts: 208 Member
    This isn't an answer to your question, but it is related to popcorn! I don't know how I didn't know about this before, but I just found out that you can make your own microwave popcorn! Take 1/4 cup popcorn kernels, put them in a brown paper bag with some oil (I use 1/2 tsp) and some seasoning (salt or whatever you want), shake it up, fold down the top of the bag 2 times, put it in the microwave and pop until it is done! Quick, easy, cheap, low calorie snack!
    This is one of those things that I never thought of, and now I feel silly for not thinking of it. Not that I've priced it out, but I'm betting popcorn kernels are cheaper than bags of microwave popcorn.
    Actually you don't even need to use the oil - just put the 1/4 cup of popcorn in the bag and pop it! I've been doing this for about a week, works great! It's MUCH cheaper and healthier than buying the pre-packaged bags, and if you omit the oil, you can reuse the bag over and over.
  • chickybuns
    chickybuns Posts: 1,037 Member
    Yes I eat popcorn frequently. I have the low fat stuff I bought from the boy scouts. It's 220 calories for a huge bag, and I usually add some calorie free butter spray and a tad bit of salt. It's yummy and I feel like I am getting a ton of food for my calories.
  • DeBlue
    DeBlue Posts: 254 Member
    i've used a plastic air popper for years, use it on high about 4 minutes with just dry popcorn. Top with about one pat of real butter or the spray butters are really convenient but you decide on the chemical tinkering with those. Microwave packs are gross if you look at what is in there before you cook it.
  • sandy2006
    sandy2006 Posts: 483 Member
    I put mine in a brown paper bag and microwave. No oil or salt. Very low calorie
  • Hoppymom
    Hoppymom Posts: 1,158 Member
    I eat it about twice a week and once a week I use a bit of real butter on it. Other times I sprinkle on some parmesan cheese with no butter. I make sure that I have the calories for it. Thanks for posting the microwave recipe. I'm sure there are fewer calories but the lack of chemicals is really appealing.
  • h3h8m3
    h3h8m3 Posts: 455 Member
    What's the rationale behind people putting oil in the popcorn? Any reason why one should do that rather than going without? In general I leave oil out of recipes that call for it, and I usually don't miss it.
  • h3h8m3
    h3h8m3 Posts: 455 Member
    Yes I eat popcorn frequently. I have the low fat stuff I bought from the boy scouts. It's 220 calories for a huge bag, and I usually add some calorie free butter spray and a tad bit of salt. It's yummy and I feel like I am getting a ton of food for my calories.

    Calorie free butter spray? What's this voodoo you speak of?
  • cricketannie
    cricketannie Posts: 184 Member
    Get a popper. They are fairly inexpensive, and oh-so-much fun! I have one with a clear lid so you can watch it pop. :) All I use is a little light country crock, and the popcorn comes out tasting wonderful!
    I found some popcorn seasoning packs that are pretty low cal, but and kinda high in sodium. I just have to watch my daily diary to determine if I am allowed to reward myself with some flavoring that day or not.
  • carlson06
    carlson06 Posts: 22
    I love having popcorn as a snack its low in cal and I feel like I'm eating a lot and it fills me up!! I like to add a little spray butter and parm cheese! So good now I want some popcorn!
  • Jeff92se
    Jeff92se Posts: 3,369 Member
    Get a popper. They are fairly inexpensive, and oh-so-much fun! I have one with a clear lid so you can watch it pop. :) All I use is a little light country crock, and the popcorn comes out tasting wonderful!
    I found some popcorn seasoning packs that are pretty low cal, but and kinda high in sodium. I just have to watch my daily diary to determine if I am allowed to reward myself with some flavoring that day or not.

    Exactly. Save the oil that you would have used to pop for the oil to make the light salt stick. ie.. olive oil.
  • katdesch
    katdesch Posts: 10 Member
    Popcorn...love it...it is my go to snack every night. I use butter salt. No cal and gives it a little butter flavor . AWESOME!!
  • TeaBea
    TeaBea Posts: 14,517 Member
    i've used a plastic air popper for years, use it on high about 4 minutes with just dry popcorn. Top with about one pat of real butter or the spray butters are really convenient but you decide on the chemical tinkering with those. Microwave packs are gross if you look at what is in there before you cook it.

    I love my Orville Redenbacher Popcorn bowl! I do put 1 teaspoon butter flavored oil - it makes the salt stick.
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    This isn't an answer to your question, but it is related to popcorn! I don't know how I didn't know about this before, but I just found out that you can make your own microwave popcorn! Take 1/4 cup popcorn kernels, put them in a brown paper bag with some oil (I use 1/2 tsp) and some seasoning (salt or whatever you want), shake it up, fold down the top of the bag 2 times, put it in the microwave and pop until it is done! Quick, easy, cheap, low calorie snack!

    How do you keep the oil from soaking through the paper bag?
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    What's the rationale behind people putting oil in the popcorn? Any reason why one should do that rather than going without? In general I leave oil out of recipes that call for it, and I usually don't miss it.

    It tastes better and is good for you
  • luvinlaurakate
    luvinlaurakate Posts: 145 Member
    If you like sweeter popcorn, kettle corn is also typically a bit healthier than regular butter popcorn. My husband and I share a bag almost every day for a snack after dinner.
  • pcteck2
    pcteck2 Posts: 184 Member
    I use 1/4 cup kernals (110 calories) in a microwave popper. It makes a large bowl that I spritz with olive oil and sprinkle with a bit of salt.
  • kmorris246
    kmorris246 Posts: 312 Member
    Awesome, "clean-eating" Caramel Popcorn.....

    Use the air popper for your popcorn, then heat up some all natural peanut butter and honey and drizzle it over top, then mix it up. It is sooooo yummy!
  • Silvercivic
    Silvercivic Posts: 156 Member
    This isn't an answer to your question, but it is related to popcorn! I don't know how I didn't know about this before, but I just found out that you can make your own microwave popcorn! Take 1/4 cup popcorn kernels, put them in a brown paper bag with some oil (I use 1/2 tsp) and some seasoning (salt or whatever you want), shake it up, fold down the top of the bag 2 times, put it in the microwave and pop until it is done! Quick, easy, cheap, low calorie snack!

    How do you keep the oil from soaking through the paper bag?

    I put the bag on a plate before I put it in the microwave. Since I only use a 1/2 tsp it isn't too messy- but it does soak through a little bit. (kinda looks like a paper bag with greasy food in it) :)
  • djcon
    djcon Posts: 216 Member
    bump
  • garlic7girl
    garlic7girl Posts: 2,236 Member
    Addicted is all I can say......
  • MichelleLydia
    MichelleLydia Posts: 224 Member
    Awesome, "clean-eating" Caramel Popcorn.....

    Use the air popper for your popcorn, then heat up some all natural peanut butter and honey and drizzle it over top, then mix it up. It is sooooo yummy!

    This sounds amazing. Gotta try this soon!
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