"Healthy" cinema snacks??

AirCircleI
AirCircleI Posts: 334 Member
edited November 8 in Food and Nutrition
I have been going to the cinema more recently, as it is a good weekend activity that keeps me out of the pub. Last night I had a snack before going in the hope that this would make me not want any snacks whilst there, but it was too hard to resist and I (mistakenly) bought some chilli rice crackers thinking they would be reasonably healthy, and had some of my boyfriend's popcorn (plain, salted). When I got home I logged it and was blown away at how many calories and fat were in both, and it blew out my calories for the day.

Short of bringing carrot sticks to the cinema, does anyone have any suggestions for reasonably healthy (or at least less bad) snacks to buy at the cinema (am in the UK) or suggestions for things to bring in?
«13

Replies

  • obaker
    obaker Posts: 76 Member
    home made popcorn?
  • melpix123
    melpix123 Posts: 11 Member
    I buy a punnet of blueberries and snack on those. can eat them mindlessly like popcorn and it doesn't matter if you eat the whole punnet.
  • NattyMay79
    NattyMay79 Posts: 3 Member
    How about mixed berries such as raspberries, blueberries & blackberries? I know they are not in season, so could be a little more pricey than usual - but i know i'd rather spend money on something nutritious than overpriced cinema snacks. And also.... grapes? (that just sprang to mind!)

    Have fun! x
  • NattyMay79
    NattyMay79 Posts: 3 Member
    i just typed and posted my reply to this thread - and saw you had suggested the same too! lol Must be the best cinema snack of all!
  • NightOwl1
    NightOwl1 Posts: 881 Member
    Besides bottled water, you're not going to find anything healthy to buy at the cinema. Your best bet is to bring with you a snack that you usually enjoy eating.
  • AirCircleI
    AirCircleI Posts: 334 Member
    Thanks for the suggestions everyone, I especially like the idea of blueberries! I thought about bringing my own popcorn, but that might be a bit awkward to sneak in.

    Any other suggestions out there? Thanks!
  • hebbby
    hebbby Posts: 70
    grapes or cherries are good. or sometimes i take a small bag of malteasers or quavers so it's like a bad cinema snack but the calories are kept under control.
  • laurabini
    laurabini Posts: 257 Member
    I don't know if it's the same in the UK, but here at the cinema they sell nachos..salted without cheese or sauce, I always but them the small portion (50g) is about 150 kcal :)
  • Jellyphant
    Jellyphant Posts: 1,400 Member
    At the theater itself, healthy food is EXTREMELY scarce, unless you portion it out I always have a skinny cow sandwich and a small mr pibb, not good but better than nothing? Your best bet would be to bring a huge purse and sneak some yummies in, hahaaa.
  • piari
    piari Posts: 50 Member
    Berries, yeah! 100 cal cookie-packs are great too.
  • JamesonsMommy
    JamesonsMommy Posts: 771 Member
    If you must snack.. .get some gummy bears and suck on them.. I like munch on raw veggies.. YOu have the same crunch as popcorn and stuff but good for you :) Movie theaters would make a killing if they offered healthy options :)
  • themedalist
    themedalist Posts: 3,218 Member
    Check out this super easy recipe for Chili-Lime Roasted Chickpeas. So delicious, healthy, and a perfect sub for popcorn at the movies: http://willowbirdbaking.com/2010/09/02/snack-attack-2-chili-lime-roasted-chickpeas/
  • bethdris
    bethdris Posts: 1,090 Member
    nuts, protein bars(or gronola bars in general), pretzel sticks (in a sandwich bag), dried fruit, gold fish crackers (not sure you have them there), animal crackers
  • MariaAlbinaxoxo
    MariaAlbinaxoxo Posts: 290 Member
    I bring my own snacks. Plus, you save money! :) They have 100 calorie popcorn you can buy and just bring a diet soda !
  • Cathnger
    Cathnger Posts: 72
    BOOTS have their own healthy brand called SHAPERS - crisps, chocolate & popcorn all under 100 calorie's each!! Thank you Boots - I officially love you lol
  • paigemarie93
    paigemarie93 Posts: 778 Member
    Homemade popcorn.
    I normally just buy a drink & take a salad in haha.
  • dls06
    dls06 Posts: 6,774 Member
    home made popcorn?
    And bottled water
  • HeidiHoMom
    HeidiHoMom Posts: 1,393 Member
    I am going to the movies today and getting a small popcorn for 320 calories. I think that is reasonable and I just adjust my day accordingly. If you know you are going to want a snack at the movies have a lighter lunch or supper. Sometimes I will even skip supper and go to an early show and have a large popcorn as my "meal". As long as you aren't doing it all the time it's not a big deal.

    You could also only bring enough money for the tickets and then even if you are tempted there isn't a way for you to buy anything.

    At my theatre they also have frozen yogurt and a small isn't too bad calorie wise.
  • twilight_princess
    twilight_princess Posts: 270 Member
    As popcorn is a favourite cinema why not bring in a pack. You can get a x6 30g pack of butterkist popcorn from £land. There 125kcal per 30g pack. That way you don't feel boring in the cinema with your fruit but still virtuous that your not stuffing those ridiculous sized tubs for so much money.
  • healthyfitandskinny
    healthyfitandskinny Posts: 16
    That's what I bring when I go to the cinema : a mini bag of SmartPop popcorn (only 100 calories) and a small ziploc bag of honey nuts Cheerios. If you like chocolate, 4 or 5 squares of dark chocolate is a very good option too :) Don't forget a bottle of water !
  • calliope_music
    calliope_music Posts: 1,242 Member
    there really is nothing "healthy" at the movies, but things like Jr. Mints and Sour Patch kids aren't high in fat...but are loaded with sugar and calories! i like to sneak stuff in. usually i bring a couple 100 calories packs and some water.
  • HauteP1nk
    HauteP1nk Posts: 2,139 Member
    I pack snacks and bring them with me. I make a mini bag of popcorn at home, and sometimes I pack some fruits as well. Or, you can bring some sugar free jello... Just sneak it in...lol
  • MiniBee91
    MiniBee91 Posts: 1 Member
    Metcalfe's Skinny Topcorn :)

    Chocolate is best. Mmmmmmm
  • Kona54
    Kona54 Posts: 30 Member
    nothing at cinema is good for you..even small popcorn is loaded with salt..bring some almonds..no salt..i cut up some apple for the crunky..
  • Laurennnnx3
    Laurennnnx3 Posts: 1
    bring some carrot sticks:smile:
  • Martha_VH
    Martha_VH Posts: 386 Member
    My mom and I always used to sneak in snacks in her purse when my sister and I were younger. She would always bring popcorn from home and a bag of m&ms to share. This was when we were little girls. My sis and I always wanted a treat, so I'm sure this saved her a ton.
    I might have to start sneaking in my own popcorn again. Sure beats whatever is in the popcorn there.
  • LetsDoThisTrish
    LetsDoThisTrish Posts: 12
    I always sneak baby carrots in with me because they're healthy and I still get that "crunch" I'm craving while watching a movie. :0) Depending on what I'm craving, sweet or savory, I add 5 oz carrots in a Ziploc bag and either pour a Tbsp of Ranch or add a Tbsp of melted Peanut Butter with a dash of cinnamon.
  • anberlingasm
    anberlingasm Posts: 177
    Short of bringing carrot sticks to the cinema, does anyone have any suggestions for reasonably healthy (or at least less bad) snacks to buy at the cinema (am in the UK) or suggestions for things to bring in?

    You usually buy snacks from a UK cinema? You must earn more money than I do, then! Even a small popcorn seems to break the bank these days.

    I like to take something from home and usually go for a treat rather than fruit, since I don't go every week. If you go for a lower-calorie option (bag of crisps under 100 cals like Pom Bear or Quavers/Skips, or chocolate biscuit bar like a Penguin which is around 100 cals) then you don't feel as though you're depriving yourself because it's still a tasty treat, but it doesn't break the calorie bank. If you're looking for something more to snack on throughout a film, try making your own popcorn at home because it doesn't have the sugar that Butterkist or cinema popcorn does. If you like salted popcorn, that's lower in calories as well.
  • LeanerBeef
    LeanerBeef Posts: 1,432 Member
    Here's my approach - you're only there 2 hours....do you really need to eat? Bring a bottle of water and a pack of gum - you'll survive. :wink: Not trying to sounds jerky, guess it kinda does, but really, why are we programmed that we need to eat while watching a movie? Some healthy snacks that are easy to sneak in - almonds, cut up an apple or some kind of fruit, break up a breakfast bar - or combine all 3 and bring it in a little sandwich bag.
  • janehen12
    janehen12 Posts: 162 Member
    another vote for the boots shapers stuff, although watch the sugar in the rice pudding! that was a shock yesterday in work but SO worth it, its amazing. and you get advantage card points which you can save up for a treat when you hit a goal :D
This discussion has been closed.

Categories