Popcorn as a Healthy Snack

Good news if you love popcorn: it can be a healthy snack to include in your diet. Unlike crackers, chips and similar snacks, popcorn is relatively low in calories and high in fiber. However, not every type of popcorn is as healthy as you might think.

Calories and Nutritional Value of Popcorn

Popcorn can be an excellent snack option for people dieting to lose weight. Even if you do not want to lose weight, homemade popcorn can be a healthy, tasty alternative, particularly compared with packaged junk food.

1 serving (24 gr - approximately a medium bowl) of popcorn has 93 calories; it contains 1 gr fat, 78 mg potassium, 18 gr carbohydrates, 3.1 gr protein and 3.5 gr fiber. Each serving contains 14,5 gr net carbohydrates, substantially lower than the calorie and carbohydrate content of most packaged snacks.

However, these values vary greatly depending on how popcorn is prepared or consumed. For example, an oily serving increases calories at least twofold. If you prefer it salty, sodium may be another factor making it unhealthy. Sweetened popcorn has also become popular recently. Because simple sugar consumption increases obesity and sweet-food addiction risk, choose plain popcorn if possible. Ready-made, packaged or cinema popcorn is therefore generally considered unhealthy because it tends to be high in oil, salt and sugar.

You can include popcorn in a weight-loss diet. Specifically, it would be inaccurate to say “popcorn causes weight loss” , but its fiber helps you eat less and feel full longer than with other snacks, and stimulates the digestive system. On the other hand, its high fiber content and, if salty, sodium may cause bloating after eating. Bowel movements may also increase. This is quite natural.

In conclusion, as part of a healthy diet, you can pop corn at home without oil and sprinkle on mild spices instead of salt to enhance flavor.

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