With an ample amount of fibre and low-calorie content, popcorn is actually one of the healthiest snack foods. Made from a nutritious whole grain and full of carbs that take longer to digest, it is easy to imagine why people love going for bucket loads of this delicious treat at movie theatres.
While popcorn in itself is actually very healthy, the version of popcorn you get outside cinema halls is not that great. The ideal way to have popcorn is when it's air-popped and lightly seasoned. It is a filling, inexpensive and fairly tasty snack.
However, a medium-sized tub of popcorn at the movie theatre popcorn can contain up to 1,090 calories and 2,650 milligrams of sodium, according to the American Heart Organisation. High sodium is a leading risk factor for hypertension and stroke. And things only get worse when popcorn is coated in sugary caramel or processed cheese.
So even though popcorn is very healthy, you must be mindful of the way it is prepared and what kind of seasonings are being added afterwards.
When prepared well, popcorn can be your perfect weight-loss snack, packed with antioxidants and minerals like manganese, zinc, magnesium and phosphorus!