Is popcorn a good source of fiber?
Popcorn is a healthy whole-grain snack that contains plenty of fiber. Even though popcorn is low in calories, its fiber content can help you feel full by adding undigestible volume. ... Stick to unsalted, air-popped popcorn to get your fill of fiber without added fat and sodium.
Is microwave popcorn healthy?
Although popcorn is a whole grain, low-calorie, high-fiber snack, it's also one of the easiest foods to overeat, and it can quickly become unhealthy. To make sure one of the best low-calorie snacks stays healthy, we asked registered dietitians for the low-down on the healthiest microwave popcorn brands to pop and which bags you should drop.
Does microwave popcorn have saturated fat?
"Unfortunately, microwave popcorn is often a big culprit [of saturated fat intake]." Some popcorn brands contain over 25 percent of your daily value of saturated fat in a small serving. Serving size: "The number one thing I suggest someone looks out for is the serving size," says Keri Gans, MS, RDN, CDN, author of The Small Change Diet.
What does microwave popcorn taste like?
Microwave popcorn is the perfect crunchy, salty, and sometimes sweet snack. Who can resist the sound of the kernels popping and the smell wafting from the kitchen as you're sitting down to watch a movie?
Is popcorn a high fiber food?
Because of popcorn's high fiber content, its low calorie count and its low energy density, popcorn is considered to be a food that can aid in weight loss. For example, popcorn has been shown to make people feel fuller than a similar calorie amount of potato chips.
How much fiber is in a bag of microwave popcorn?
For example, according to the USDA, a 100-gram bag of low-fat microwave popcorn has 424 calories per bag and 9.5 grams of fat, as well as 14.2 grams of fiber.
Is popcorn good for your digestive system?
As a whole grain, popcorn is high in fiber, which is good for digestive health and promoting regular bowel movements. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), a typical 3-cup or 24-gram (g) serving of air-popped popcorn contains 3.5 g of fiber.
Is bagged popcorn healthier than microwave popcorn?
Primary Health Risk While microwave popcorn is typically higher in calories and sodium and lower in fiber than the air-popped variety, the main reason it's less healthy is that it often contains trans fats.
Can you eat popcorn on a low fiber diet?
Look for foods that have no more than 1-2 grams of fiber in one serving. Avoid these foods and products made with them: Nuts, seeds, dried fruit and coconut. Whole grains, popcorn, wheat germ and bran.
Why is microwave popcorn not good for you?
Is microwave popcorn linked to other health problems? Microwave popcorn has also been linked to a serious lung disease called popcorn lung. Diacetyl, a chemical used to give microwave popcorn its buttery flavor and aroma, is linked to severe and irreversible lung damage when inhaled in large amounts.
Does microwave popcorn help constipation?
Go for air-popped popcorn or a healthy variety of microwave popcorn. Popcorn is a whole grain, and increasing the whole grains in your diet is an effective constipation remedy.
Will popcorn help you poop?
Popcorn for constipation relief Air-popped popcorn is a good choice for a high-fiber snack that can help provide relief from constipation. A filling 3 cups of air-popped popcorn contains 3.5 g fiber, and less than 100 calories.
Does popcorn Constipate you?
Just make sure you stick to the air-popped variety, as movie theater popcorn, or popcorn topped with butter is high in fat, which can cause constipation.
What is the healthiest way to pop popcorn?
The healthiest way to make popcorn is with an air popper. It is an appliance that just uses hot air to heat the kernels and pop them, so you don't need to use any butter or oil. That means your popcorn has fewer calories and less fat than microwave popcorn or popcorn that's popped in oil or butter in a skillet.
Is Jiffy Pop better for you than microwave popcorn?
Jiffy Pop can be super fun to pop over the stove or the fire, but it's really not any healthier or safer than microwave popcorn, unfortunately. As of 2021, it still contains tBHQ as a preservative, which is linked to all kinds of health problems, like cancer, ADHD, asthma, allergies, and more.
Is there a difference between microwave popcorn and regular popcorn?
What's their secret? A: First, while they certainly do taste different, it's not the actual popcorn that makes the difference. The kernels used to make theater popcorn and those used in the home (whether microwave or air popped) are essentially the same.
Try air-popping popcorn
Invest in an air popper, like this one, and make your own version of movie-theater popcorn. Three cups of air-popped popcorn contains only 90 calories and less than 1 gram of fat.
Make stovetop popcorn
Make popcorn on the stovetop using a lidded pot and some olive, coconut, or avocado oil. Use about 2 tablespoons of oil for every half cup of popcorn kernels.
Add your own flavors
Boost the flavor of air-popped or stovetop popcorn without any potentially harmful chemicals or excessive salt by adding your own toppings. Spray it with olive oil or freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Experiment with different seasonings, such as cinnamon, oregano, or rosemary.
How to choose a healthy microwave popcorn
"When it comes to [buying the healthiest] microwave popcorn, my recommendation is to find one with minimal ingredients," says Erika Fox, RDN, registered dietitian nutritionist at 310 Nutrition.
The best microwave buttered popcorns you can buy
"This particular brand does not use any palm oil, has a lower amount of sodium per serving compared to other brands, and provides an interesting flavor," says Gans.
The worst microwave popcorn brands you can buy
"It contains a long list of ingredients that don't seem necessary given that there are plenty of microwaveable popcorn options with just a few simple ingredients," says Martin. "I also try to stay away from artificial flavors when possible, and many microwaveable popcorn options are free of them."
Interesting Fact
The earliest archaeological discoveries of popcorn were in Peru, however, Central America and New Mexico also showed remnants of popcorn creation about 5,000 years ago.
Health Benefits Of Popcorn
It contains ferulic acid, a type of antioxidant that may help fight diseases like cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s disease (a neurodegenerative disease that worsens over time), or type 2 diabetes.
Side Effects of Popcorn
Note – popcorn can be a great snack for teens and adults, however, many of the commercial microwave popcorns and pre-packaged popcorn can contain added harmful ingredients which we want to avoid in our diet.
Healthier Homemade Popcorn Recipe
If you are a big fan of popcorn, it is better to use the traditional methods to make your snack.
Fiber in Popcorn
When looking through a list of high-fiber foods, you’ll often find popcorn. A 3-cup serving of air-popped popcorn has about 100 calories and 4 grams of fiber. For frame of reference, women need about 25 grams of fiber a day and men need 38 grams. That means one serving of popcorn meets 10 to 15 percent of your daily fiber needs.
Benefits of Fiber
Most of the fiber in popcorn is insoluble, which is the bulking fiber that helps keep you regular. That's because the insoluble fiber in the popcorn holds its shape, which helps speeds up transit time through the intestines.
Keeping Your Popcorn Healthy
While popcorn is considered a healthy snack, be careful with what you add for flavor. Microwave buttered popcorn has 140 calories, 10 grams of fat and 280 milligrams of sodium per 3-cup serving. Compare that to the same serving of air-popped popcorn, which is lower in calories and is fat free and sodium free.
