Popcorn Nutrition
Facts About Popcorn Nutrition
Believe it or not, there is a decent amount of information available on popcorn nutrition. Most people do not think of popcorn as healthy; however, in comparison to most things consumed as a snack, popcorn not only has a relatively low amount of calories but also proves to be a healthy option. One reason this food is health is a result of its lack of preservatives, which is found in almost all foods nowadays.
When your popcorn does not contain butter, it can be as little as thirty calories per cup when air-popped. However, with butter added it is over one hundred calories, still proving to be healthier than most snacks found in stores. Moreover, it is essential to note that popcorn contains a relatively high amount of fiber making it nutritious and filling you up for longer than most sugary snacks. One fact about popcorn nutrition that not everyone is familiar with is its small percentage of iron within each serving.
There are multiple recipes to incorporate this whole-grain food into your diet. One recipe that is highly nutrition and low in calories is Popcorn Trail Mix. This snack-time option includes the following ingredients: popcorn, raisins, peanuts, whole grain cereal, and a few other sweetening ingredients. With all of these combined, the total calorie per serving is still less than 250 calories. Several recipes are available on the Internet and in cookbooks everywhere with popcorn as the main ingredient, including popcorn balls. These balls typically contain caramel, butter, and occasionally marshmallows. Feel free to add anything from raisins and peanuts to chocolate chips to these delicious, healthy balls of popcorn. Make sure to use your creativity to create dishes with this great, sugar-free snack lacking in natural preservatives.
Specifically great for children are popcorn craft activities. You can allow your children to make foods for each holiday and encourage consuming this great snack. One of the most popular popcorn holiday activities includes plastic gloves, Halloween candy corn, and of course popcorn. Simply add the candy corn to the bottom of each fingertip in the glove to make nails and then fill up the remainder of the glove with popcorn. This is always a family favorite and is highly nutritional and high in fiber.
Most people are fully aware of how to make popcorn in the microwave as well as with olive oil on the stove, but air popping may be a new term for some readers. You can get a machine that air pops your popcorn for approximately forty dollars, which produces the thirty-calorie serving. However, adding olive oil and cooking popcorn over the stove only adds approximately twenty more calories. Other options include preparing popcorn over an open fire, cooking via microwave, or even making a trip to your local movie theater. All options are viable and prove to be relatively low in calories and again, high in fiber and “good” carbohydrates. These popcorn nutrition facts enable you to make healthier choices when picking a filling snack.
There are several random facts about popcorn nutrition and cooking popcorn in general. One convenient fact is that popcorn also comes in organic forms for those who are transferring to more organic options. Second, some studies suggest that the fumes from opening a bag of microwavable popcorn after cooking it may be linked to cancer development. Therefore, be sure to open the bag away from your face to keep you from directly inhaling the fumes produced from opening the bag.
In conclusion, popcorn is an extremely healthy snack even when combined with other items such as butter and chocolate. This low calorie food is ideal for snacking between meals proving to be filling and high in fiber and energy-boosting carbohydrates. Furthermore, popcorn nutrition can be communicated to your children by incorporating fun craft ideas and holiday food preparations using this healthy food option. Regardless of your method of adding this food to your diet, popcorn is highly nutritious and great for the entire family.