Popcorn....yes...again

elpiper
elpiper Posts: 183 Member
edited November 12 in Food and Nutrition
I've researched popcorn high and low on this site. I've come to find mixed answers.

I also find that I'm still utterly lost...so I tend to go with the serving size that is for 1 cup popped of popcorn and have measured out my "popup bowls" of Orville Reddenbacher's popcorn a few times to know that there is NO WAY that each bag contains 2.5 servings of 4 cups popped popcorn. NO WAY. I've measured out in a cup on many times and it comes to anywhere between 6 cups to 7 cups total in each pop up bag of popcorn. So I go with the nutrition info for 1 cup popped times 6 ( so 6 cups of popcorn) because my doggies always get some, and my husband likes to take some too so I guesstimate 6 cups is what i'm getting from each bag.

Is going with the per cup nutrition a skewed vantage point to take? Thoughts? Input?
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Replies

  • AllTehBeers
    AllTehBeers Posts: 5,030 Member
    I was also thinking about popcorn today. I buy the individual serving 100 calorie bags just to keep the calorie counting simple. Now, I was wondering, do they count 100 calories if every kernel is popped or do they know there are going to be unpopped kernels in the bag so is that accounted for? And I'm always confused as to why there is nutrition information on unpopped kernels. Do people eat those?
  • elpiper
    elpiper Posts: 183 Member
    thats what i NEED to do...i have a popcorn addiction....i can't seem to shake it! But really.....who eats the unpoped kernels? I mean....that would just break my teeth i think...
  • lukeout007
    lukeout007 Posts: 1,237 Member
    I was also thinking about popcorn today. I buy the individual serving 100 calorie bags just to keep the calorie counting simple. Now, I was wondering, do they count 100 calories if every kernel is popped or do they know there are going to be unpopped kernels in the bag so is that accounted for? And I'm always confused as to why there is nutrition information on unpopped kernels. Do people eat those?

    I assume they count them as if every kernel were popped. I buy the same ones and our microwave at work pisses me off because it will only pop half the bag before burning the popped corn. So I always get half a bag instead of a full.
  • lukeout007
    lukeout007 Posts: 1,237 Member
    thats what i NEED to do...i have a popcorn addiction....i can't seem to shake it! But really.....who eats the unpoped kernels? I mean....that would just break my teeth i think...

    Can't say I never have...

    But seriously...get the 100 cal packs. It's a good amount of popcorn for 100 cals.
  • elpiper
    elpiper Posts: 183 Member
    uhhh...i hit repost on accident,sorry!
  • Coco_Puff
    Coco_Puff Posts: 823 Member
    I've been entering Generic popcorn - air popped - 6 cups cooked = 120 calories
  • blueivycarter
    blueivycarter Posts: 24
    i eat the whole bag. its less than 100 calories since a good number of kernels dont pop
  • AllTehBeers
    AllTehBeers Posts: 5,030 Member
    I was also thinking about popcorn today. I buy the individual serving 100 calorie bags just to keep the calorie counting simple. Now, I was wondering, do they count 100 calories if every kernel is popped or do they know there are going to be unpopped kernels in the bag so is that accounted for? And I'm always confused as to why there is nutrition information on unpopped kernels. Do people eat those?

    I assume they count them as if every kernel were popped. I buy the same ones and our microwave at work pisses me off because it will only pop half the bag before burning the popped corn. So I always get half a bag instead of a full.

    Mine too. We have a higher wattage microwave at work then at my house so i'm afraid if i just let it keep going the whole bag will burn. Then I don't have any pop corn :(
  • Remi79
    Remi79 Posts: 346 Member
    I, like you, have a popcorn addiction. When I was younger and lived by myself, I would eat it for supper at least 1 a week and usually for bedtime snack more often than that. The 100 calorie packs are wonderful, even though eating a huge bowl-ful of it is way more satisying and delicious.

    What's your favorite way to eat it? I love it air popped with parmasean cheese, butter, and salt. mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
  • AmyRhubarb
    AmyRhubarb Posts: 6,890 Member
    I eat popcorn almost every day - I buy the big bags of kernels and we pop in it a brown paper bag in the microwave. :bigsmile: Then we add our own butter, salt, Parmesan cheese or whatever we want. I have to admit I love it with good old butter and salt, but at least I control the amount, and it's all natural - no weird flavorings or colorings. And soooo much cheaper than buying the microwave stuff.

    Try it - I put 1/4 cup (the serving size listed on the bag) of kernels in a bag (lunch bag size), fold it down a couple of times and cook it on the popcorn setting on my microwave. Comes out perfect every time!
  • AllTehBeers
    AllTehBeers Posts: 5,030 Member
    I eat popcorn almost every day - I buy the big bags of kernels and we pop in it a brown paper bag in the microwave. :bigsmile: Then we add our own butter, salt, Parmesan cheese or whatever we want. I have to admit I love it with good old butter and salt, but at least I control the amount, and it's all natural - no weird flavorings or colorings. And soooo much cheaper than buying the microwave stuff.

    Try it - I put 1/4 cup (the serving size listed on the bag) of kernels in a bag (lunch bag size), fold it down a couple of times and cook it on the popcorn setting on my microwave. Comes out perfect every time!

    This is brilliant! I never thought of popping kernels in the microwave, I always just used my air popper or a pot on the stove. I'm definitely going to try this out next time.
  • tigersword
    tigersword Posts: 8,059 Member
    I eat popcorn almost every day - I buy the big bags of kernels and we pop in it a brown paper bag in the microwave. :bigsmile: Then we add our own butter, salt, Parmesan cheese or whatever we want. I have to admit I love it with good old butter and salt, but at least I control the amount, and it's all natural - no weird flavorings or colorings. And soooo much cheaper than buying the microwave stuff.

    Try it - I put 1/4 cup (the serving size listed on the bag) of kernels in a bag (lunch bag size), fold it down a couple of times and cook it on the popcorn setting on my microwave. Comes out perfect every time!

    This is brilliant! I never thought of popping kernels in the microwave, I always just used my air popper or a pot on the stove. I'm definitely going to try this out next time.
    Stove top tastes much better than microwave. Takes about the same amount of time, also.
  • mercina22
    mercina22 Posts: 446 Member
    I was also thinking about popcorn today. I buy the individual serving 100 calorie bags just to keep the calorie counting simple. Now, I was wondering, do they count 100 calories if every kernel is popped or do they know there are going to be unpopped kernels in the bag so is that accounted for? And I'm always confused as to why there is nutrition information on unpopped kernels. Do people eat those?

    I assume they count them as if every kernel were popped. I buy the same ones and our microwave at work pisses me off because it will only pop half the bag before burning the popped corn. So I always get half a bag instead of a full.
  • mercina22
    mercina22 Posts: 446 Member
    Put the popcorn bag in the freezer for an hour before popping>I makes almost ALL the kernals pop. I usually store the popcorn bags in the freezer and pop as needed. I almost always get no unpopped kernals.:smile:
  • geneanroberts
    geneanroberts Posts: 39 Member
    I air pop mine and add the nacho cheese popcorn seasoning. Much lower calorie that way :)
  • AllTehBeers
    AllTehBeers Posts: 5,030 Member
    Put the popcorn bag in the freezer for an hour before popping>I makes almost ALL the kernals pop. I usually store the popcorn bags in the freezer and pop as needed. I almost always get no unpopped kernals.:smile:

    This is interesting. I'll have to try it out next time.
  • athensguy
    athensguy Posts: 550
    I don't usually eat it, but for DW I make it in a sauce pan. 1 TBSP popcorn oil (or vegetable oil), 40 grams popcorn kernels, salt to taste.

    Put oil in big enough sauce pan along with 3 kernels in the oil. Turn to Medium High.

    When one of the kernels pops, add the rest of the kernels and the salt.

    Shake several times and leave on heat until 2 or 3 seconds between pops.
  • welloiledmachine
    welloiledmachine Posts: 1,147 Member
    The great thing about brown bag popcorn is that you don't have to use oil so you save on calories and it is so much more healthier. Plus, you can add whatever spices/flavors you want. I can't imagine all that stuff in those prepackaged popcorn bags.
  • patty1138
    patty1138 Posts: 196 Member
    bump
  • mfp_1
    mfp_1 Posts: 516 Member
    I weigh popcorn. Volume is less accurate than weight for solids.

    Unpopped popcorn weighs the same as popped, of course. Simples.
  • elpiper
    elpiper Posts: 183 Member
    wow....lots of interesting info here!:) thanks guys :)
  • fubar2us
    fubar2us Posts: 43 Member
    For the amount of Popcorn I go thru with the wife it is WAY cheaper to buy a big bag of kernels and stove pop it. I usualy use 1 tbls of Coconut oil and pop about 10 cups worth every time. then add generic popcorn from the list and split the oil between us. ( could also air pop but I like the coconut flavor I get with the stove top.
  • EuroReady
    EuroReady Posts: 199 Member
    I eat popcorn almost every day - I buy the big bags of kernels and we pop in it a brown paper bag in the microwave. :bigsmile: Then we add our own butter, salt, Parmesan cheese or whatever we want. I have to admit I love it with good old butter and salt, but at least I control the amount, and it's all natural - no weird flavorings or colorings. And soooo much cheaper than buying the microwave stuff.

    Try it - I put 1/4 cup (the serving size listed on the bag) of kernels in a bag (lunch bag size), fold it down a couple of times and cook it on the popcorn setting on my microwave. Comes out perfect every time!

    Be careful!!! I was doing the brown bag method until it started a fire... Twice. Haha. Now I bought a microwavable bowl that's made for this purpose at Target.
  • AmyRhubarb
    AmyRhubarb Posts: 6,890 Member
    Good to know! I usually stay right by the micro while it's popping, since I usually have to add 30 seconds near the end of the time. I will watch for flames! :tongue:
  • EuroReady
    EuroReady Posts: 199 Member
    Well it takes a very stupid person to let it happen once, let alone twice, so you probably aren't in any danger. Stupidity was my fault, I walked away... Twice.


    Seriously. What was I thinking?
  • btgawedz
    btgawedz Posts: 1
    Someone kindly explain to me how a 100 calorie pack of popcorn, which is a small bag and very dry, is only 40 calories less than an entire bag of, say Pop Secret movie theater butter popcorn, which is 3 times the amount of popcorn and dripping in butter? Confused, because for 40 calories difference I know which one I am picking?
  • mockchoc
    mockchoc Posts: 6,573 Member
    Made some today for my son so loving the ideas in this thread. Think I'll start eating it more myself.
  • trogalicious
    trogalicious Posts: 4,584 Member
    Someone kindly explain to me how a 100 calorie pack of popcorn, which is a small bag and very dry, is only 40 calories less than an entire bag of, say Pop Secret movie theater butter popcorn, which is 3 times the amount of popcorn and dripping in butter? Confused, because for 40 calories difference I know which one I am picking?

    because science.


    also, best threadnecro I've seen today.
  • christinemac17
    christinemac17 Posts: 56 Member
    For the amount of Popcorn I go thru with the wife it is WAY cheaper to buy a big bag of kernels and stove pop it. I usualy use 1 tbls of Coconut oil and pop about 10 cups worth every time. then add generic popcorn from the list and split the oil between us. ( could also air pop but I like the coconut flavor I get with the stove top.


    Same here! Coconut oil makes the best popcorn as far as I'm concerned. I've tried two kinds for this: LuAn (the cheap stuff from the grocery) and Organic Coconut oil from Trader Joe's. The difference in flavor is astounding to me. The TJ's Organic makes the most delicious popcorn I've ever had - and yes, there is a subtle coconut flavor with TJs, but I could detect none with the LuAn's
  • amberlykay1014
    amberlykay1014 Posts: 608 Member
    For the amount of Popcorn I go thru with the wife it is WAY cheaper to buy a big bag of kernels and stove pop it. I usualy use 1 tbls of Coconut oil and pop about 10 cups worth every time. then add generic popcorn from the list and split the oil between us. ( could also air pop but I like the coconut flavor I get with the stove top.


    Same here! Coconut oil makes the best popcorn as far as I'm concerned. I've tried two kinds for this: LuAn (the cheap stuff from the grocery) and Organic Coconut oil from Trader Joe's. The difference in flavor is astounding to me. The TJ's Organic makes the most delicious popcorn I've ever had - and yes, there is a subtle coconut flavor with TJs, but I could detect none with the LuAn's

    Can you detail how to make it on the stove? How much butter do you use?
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