Popcorn is more than just a movie's best friend; in fact, it's actually quite good for you. We're not just talking that "skinny pop" stuff that cuts both the calories and flavors in half. Your average bowl of popcorn is surprisingly healthy.
One thing we should clarify before going any further: no food is intrinsically "good" or "bad". A food having health benefits doesn't make it better than a food without those benefits. Diet culture harms us all.
That said, let's dive into the hidden depths of this simple snack.
Antioxidants And Fiber
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When you hear the word antioxidants, you might think of dark chocolate or coffee, both of which are high in polyphenols. These compounds help keep your heart healthy by combating hypertension and heart disease. Popcorn is also an excellent source of antioxidants!
Popcorn is a whole grain, which means it has been linked to a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes, specifically if you're in middle age. For those who have to make balancing blood sugars a priority, popcorn can be a great help. Popcorn has a glycemic index score of 55, which helps keep sugars from spiking.
Another benefit of popcorn is its high fiber content. The overwhelming majority of Americans aren't getting enough fiber in their diet. Beyond keeping you regular, fiber helps everything from your skin to your mental health.
Fiber also plays an important part in keeping you full. Similar to how healthy fats keep you full as they're digested, fiber keeps you full while your body makes use of it. Fiber keeps you from going hungry, even right after you've eaten.
This satisfaction and feeling of fullness after eating popcorn can also help those looking to lose weight. When you're hungry, you gravitate towards snacks high in refined sugar and saturated fats. Not only will these snacks not sate your hunger, but they'll make you even hungrier!
Per serving, popcorn has more fiber than a slice of whole-wheat bread—and it tastes better too! Additionally, to tie things back to our previous point, popcorn has a higher antioxidant content per ounce than many fruits and vegetables. Numbers don't lie!
The Best Popcorn Preparation Methods
Now that we've covered some of the nutritional benefits of popcorn, let's get into preparation methods. Not all popcorn is created equal. You don't want to counteract those benefits by slathering your popcorn in salt and butter.
Overall, the healthiest way to consume popcorn is by air-popping it. Don't worry if you do not own an air popper. You can get the same results by microwaving a brown paper bag full of kernels.
Microwave popcorn comes with a load of additives like salt, sweeteners, and oil. If you want your popcorn to still have flavor, you'd be better off adding seasoning once the kernels have popped. As a bonus, it's less likely to leave your fingers greasy.
All this is to say that movie theater-style buttery popcorn should be avoided at all cost. There's nothing stopping you from indulging in a bag when you're at the cinema, after all, food should be enjoyed! The most important part of healthy eating is focusing on what you can add to your favorite foods rather than subtracting from them.
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