Popcorn...what is with the conversion and serving sizes?!?

I've been agrivated w. The same thing. Not all the kernals pop is what I've taken away from the nutrition labels. A full size bag is about 5 cups so 130 cals in kernals may be only 100 total.popped. you gotta really pay attention to the labels. Some tell you how many cals a cup is but not how may cups are in a bag. Others look light but are crap in snack sized bags. I was at the store tonight making sense of it.

I'm guessing that the majority of the oil used for the popping of the corn is not absorbed into the finished product. I've switched to an air popper, it's nice to try out different varieties of popcorn. I really like the small-kernel type, we have one that has virtually no hull, which is nice for my 3-year old.

I just picked up a microwave air popper, and I'm trying the popcorn seasonings that you sprinkle on? A friend of mine at work does this, and she uses grapeseed oil in the popper, so that the seasonings will "stick". Do any of you do this? She claims a large ziploc bag full is only about 50 calories. What is your favorite seasoning?

I make hot air popcorn. It's cheaper in the long run. I eat it plain, with a little melted spray butter, or with Kernel Seasonings popcorn seasonings. If you don't want to do the hot air popper, you can just buy the single serving 100 calorie pack popcorns... no hassle, tastes great, costs more.

I think it's because not all the kernels pop. I only buy kernels and pop them in a microwave safe bowl in the microwave with a bit of oil, it's so much cheaper. One bag of kernels costs $2 and makes about 10 bowls.

So if I make 1tbsp of unpopped popcorn, how many calories will this amount to ?

I don't know, I think a tablespoon is too variable to quote a figure. Tablespoons and cups are the devil's measure for solid foods.

Using USDA data:
**************************
http://ndb.nal.usda.gov/ndb/foods/show/7341
357 cal per 100 g
**************************
A tablespoon that holds 10 g of popcorn is 36 calories.
A tablespoon that holds 20 g of popcorn is 71 calories.
I've seen estimates ranging from 8 to 16 grams.
As I'm sure you know, you'll need to measure the oil or sugar you add.

Have you considered weighing the popcorn?

I use an air popper and pour in the right amount of kernels per serving which is 1/4 cup. I season it with chilli powder or some low cal cheddar seasoning. 180 calories but who cares popcorn is healthier this way and is delish.

I prefer the snack size bags of popcorn. It is filled to the top of a normal sized cereal bowl, almost overflowing. Plenty for me. And only 100 calories.