People love to eat popcorn as a snack at movies, parties, or any other occasion even just a mid-morning/afternoon snack. Although many people believe that it is much more healthy than other snacks, it is pertinent to note that it has an equivalent calorie content and that one should be careful of the quantity that they take, especially when taking into consideration various seasons, oils, and toppings.
But, how many calories are there in a popcorn bag and how can one get to consume popcorn without being a victim of over-drinking calories?
Types of the Popcorn
The calorie of a bag of popcorn depends on how they are Prepared, portion size, and even ingredients added to it. First, let us take a look at the various kinds of popcorn and the influence that each has on the calories.
Air-popped Popcorn
This is one snack that can be prepared in one of the healthiest ways by simply using confectionery popcorn pops. As it does not contain any oil or butter, it is a non-fat and calorie food suitable for individuals who are keen on their calorie intake.
Calories in a 1-ounce serving (3 cups): It contains about 90 – 100 calories. Calories in a full bag (about 8 cups): It scarcely has between 250-300 calories.
This plain, air pops version of this snack is packed with fiber, is low in calories, and is definitely a guilt-free snack.
Microwave Popcorn
Microwave popcorn is popular for its ease of use, however the size of the container and type of popcorn can have thousands of calories, and different brands and flavors maybe even more. A few use more butter or oil than the previous one thus enhancing the calorie content of the bread.
Calories in a single serving (2-3 cups): The range of calories contained in a piece of fruit is 120-150 calories.
Calories in a full bag (around 10-12 cups): Between 4000 and 6000 KCAL but this depends on the amount of butter that is used.
Eliminate empty carbohydrates, and if you need to munch on popcorn to meet your nutritional needs, ensure you go for light butter microwave popcorn or even those that are made of reduced fat.
Movie Theater Popcorn
It was further revealed that movie theater popcorn contains extra butter and oil thus contributing to high calorie content. Although the portions offered are small portions, one can easily gain a number of calories because of the toppings.
- Calories in a small (about 11 cups): It is evident to note that most of the snacks consumed between 600-700 calories.
- Calories in a medium (about 14 cups):: 800-1,000 calories
- Calories in a large (about 20 cups): It serves more than 1200 calories.
From this list what is high calorie can be attributed to butter, oil, and salt. Although they taste wonderful, it’s not suitable for people with a low-calorie diet plan that makes use of calorie counting.
Kettle Corn
Kettle corn is popcorn that is sweet which may contain sugar and salty which may contain oil. It has a nice taste that is different from ordinary popcorn but has more calories compared to air-popped popcorn.
Calories in a 1-ounce serving (3 cups): Product 110-130 calories.
Calories in a full bag (about 8 cups): 30-45 gm of carbohydrates
There is added sugar which means the calorie level goes up; so if you are snacking on kettle corn, keep this in mind.
Read also: How Manufacturers of Bags Are Revolutionizing Industrial Packaging Solutions
Some Health Benefits of Popcorn
High in fiber: Assists in the control of digestion and helps the individual feel fuller for longer.
Low calorie: Low-fat popcorns that are a result of using an air popper are not dangerous at all especially when consumed in small quantities.
Antioxidants: Popcorn is an antioxidant since it contains polyphenols which are very essential in protecting your cells.
Healthy Ways to Enjoy Popcorn
To make sure you’re enjoying popcorn without consuming too many calories, here are a few tips:
Choose air-popped popcorn: New Snack Tips – Do not use butter and oils in your snack to reduce calories.
Use healthy toppings: Concerning the use of flavor enhancers in meals, it is possible to substitute butter and richness and use herbs, spices, or nutritional yeast.
Control your portions: Be cautious of the portions, you are taking. The same healthy snacks such as popcorn are also wrong if consumed excessively.
Go for low-calorie microwave popcorn: If this is your line of thought, it is recommended that you should go in search of reduced-fat butter or healthily low-butter body spirit. push(4);.
Final Thoughts
Popcorn is a very low-calorie snack, if one chooses to dance to the side of health, but this is only if the popcorn being consumed is of the right kind. Raw popcorn can also be described as an ideal snack for anyone who is not into microwave and butter popcorns which are well known to contain a large number of calories.
However, when taking popcorn ensure that they are prepared healthily, and when taking them ensure that you take smaller portions so that you do not add a lot of calories to your body.
