Is Popcorn Good For You?

It’s the favourite snack of moviegoers everywhere. Light and fluffy, yet still possessing a satisfying crunch, popcorn is a highly enjoyable snack. But is it appropriate for people on a weight loss journey? Let’s find out.

At a base level, popcorn is one of the healthiest snacks available. It’s loaded with nutrients and has a stack of health benefits. It’s a whole-grain food and is linked to a decreased risk of heart disease, and is relatively low in calories, with just 31 calories per 250g cup of air-popped popcorn. 

Likewise, it is extremely high in fibre, which can reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes and obesity. Most dietitians recommend men eat 38g of fibre per day — 100g of popcorn contains 15 grams, so that’s pretty bloody good! Fibre is very filling, so popcorn should satisfy your hunger better than a packet of chips. 

With that in mind, it’s safe to say that fresh, air-popped popcorn is a friendly food for people on a weight loss journey – assuming, of course, that they eat it in moderation!

All the information above applies solely to fresh, air-popped popcorn with no additives. Unfortunately, most people tend to eat pre-packaged, microwavable popcorn and that can be problematic, with some containing trans fats, which have been linked to an increased risk of heart disease. 

Additionally, the popcorn you get at the movies isn’t much chop either (it’s also stupidly expensive). According to the American Heart Association, a tub of movie popcorn can contain up to 1,090 calories and 2,650mg of sodium. Excessive sodium consumption can cause high blood pressure, which in turn is linked to strokes and heart attacks.

As it turns out, popcorn is actually a pretty good snack for people on a weight loss journey. However, there are a few potential pitfalls. If you want to enjoy this satisfying snack, we advise you to purchase a bag of popping kernels and air-pop them at home on the stove or in the microwave using brown paper bags. Alternatively, try our healthy Chocolate Coated Popcorn recipe. Remember, don’t buy pre-packaged microwave popcorn!