Popcorn -The Low Fat Snack

Popcorn or a popped kernel of corn can be a very healthy and high fiber snack. It is a popular and famous snack from the movies but that version of popcorn is the most unhealthy as it contains a lot of melted butter and salt.

One cup of regular popcorn has 31 calories while the same one cup of popcorn popped in oil has 55 calories. So you can try and do the math for a bucket of melted butter flavored popcorn. You rack up the calorie count as you add additives like cheese and caramel.

Popcorn is often touted as a great weight watchers snack but that is if you eat healthy popcorn. It is a high fiber whole grain food.

It helps to curb hunger and also can fill you up when you eat it. The popcorn also contains carbohydrates but it is the good type of carbohydrates. The kernel of corn pops because in that hard hull of the corn kernel is a thick, dense moisture laden starchy filling. Once you apply heat, you force the kernel to ‘pop’.

Popcorn was first popped commercially by Charles Cretors way back in the late 19th century. The most popular form of popcorn today is the pre-packaged microwave variety. But it is this variety that contains the maximum calories. You will be surprised to know that it isn’t very difficult to pop corn at home, on the gas stove. You do not need any fancy popcorn makers.

You need corn kernels, some salt, a little vegetable oil, a big deep quart and a little melted butter for topping. Coat the deep vessel with vegetable oil. Heat the vegetable oil on the stove. Add the kernels and shake it around. Once the popping becomes intermittent, you can turn off the heat and take it off the stove. Add the salt and melted butter and shake it around. You can also skip the melted butter step to keep the calories to a minimum. Popcorn contains potassium and a host of other vitamins like calcium, iron and the B12 family of vitamins.

Traditionally popcorn is served sweet or salty. Salty is the most popular flavor, especially in America. You can top your popcorn will many sweet and savory toppings to make it tasty and yet let it stay low calorie. Popcorn with its many recipes can contain many calories, if the wrong recipes are followed. Popcorn is the perfect snack and makes a healthy popcorn snack mix. Popcorn can be combined with other things to make healthy popcorn snacks.

Let’s look at some popcorn snack recipes. You can use toppings like soy sauce, cinnamon, flavored salts, a little cheese or herbs, all of which are relatively low in calories. Popcorns can also make healthy snack mixes. You can include nuts like almonds, academia, and hazelnuts, seeds like sunflower and flax seeds, healthy sweeteners like honey and agave syrup, all of which can make a tasty snack mix which you can to quell hunger pangs. Throw in some salt or chill for a depth in flavor.

The electric hot air popper is the most efficient way to prepare popcorn. Without butter, oil and Salt, popcorn is the best high-fiber, low-calorie and low cholesterol snack. One cup of popcorn contains only 25calories.

To add flavor and variety, a number of combinations can be used

Have it with skim milk, fruit and a tsp of wheat germ, for breakfast.
Popcorn, peanuts and raisins can make excellent snack.
They can be used in place of croutons in soups and salads.
Slices of apple can be mixed with popcorn for a snack.
Cooking with popcorn: garlic, peanut butter popcorn balls, Parmesan popcorn are some of the serving ideas.

Submitted on January 16, 2014