Popcorn – The Chip of Dieters!

Popcorn – The Chip of Dieters!

As we begin transitioning from an unhealthy lifestyle, it is important to learn how to make substitutions that work. It is part of learning that we can still have the flavor, the crunch and the texture of foods we enjoy; we simply need to experience them in a slightly different way. So, rather than Doritos, potato chips or cheese curls, popcorn is the new chip of dieters!

Eating popcorn provides you with high fiber content, is fat free and contains no sodium or sugar. Besides the benefits of being a healthy snack and helping us with the munchies, the May 2008 issue of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association (JADA) reported that those of us who consumer popcorn have approximately a 250 percent higher intake of whole grains and a 22 percent higher intake of fiber than non-popcorn eaters. Nutritionist Kirstin Reimers reminds us that, “popcorn contains more fiber per gram than many other whole grain foods, including oatmeal, whole wheat bread and brown rice.” READ MORE...

That said you do have to be careful how you prepare it and what you put on it. To prepare popcorn, you may want to use a minimal amount of healthy oil, such as EVOO (Extra Virgin Olive Oil) for “kettle cooking” or use an air popper.

Popcorn: Oil-popped, white popcorn, 55 calories per 1 cup
Popcorn: Air-popped, white popcorn, 31 calories per 1 cup

Try it both ways and see what one you prefer. A multitude of flavors can be added to popcorn without accumulating the calories of heavy butter and high calorie toppings.

Now as for toppings, here are a few ideas and some helpful instructions!

- When you’ve completed popping your corn, place the kernels in an over-sized bowl so you’ll be able to mix the seasonings well without having kernels cascade over the rim.

- Mix the flavoring ingredients together before adding to your popcorn.

- Remember, you can use a little spray butter to help make the toppings stick to your popcorn.

- When using one of the 100-calorie microwave bags, just add the topping immediately after taking it out of the microwave, close the bag, shake it and enjoy!

- After adding wet ingredients, like Worcestershire sauce or Tabasco sauce, wrap popcorn in a double-layer pouch of tinfoil, seal tightly and place in a 300-degree oven for 10 minutes, shaking once halfway through baking.


Pizza Popcorn:
1) Lawry’s seasoning, parmesan cheese
2) 2 Tbsp parmesan cheese, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp Italian herb seasoning, 1 tsp paprika, ½ tsp salt, dash pepper

Flavored Popcorn :
1) Season with cumin or tamari
2) Combine dill weed and Worcestershire sauce

Fruit Flavored Popcorn:
1) Sprinkle with sugar-free Jello-O

Ranch Popcorn :
1) 1 Package Ranch flavored dry salad dressing mix, 2 tsp dill weed (optional)

Cinnamon Popcorn:
1) Cinnamon and Splenda

Chili Popcorn:
1) Chili Powder

Chinese Popcorn:
1) Chinese 5 spice mixture and Splenda

TexMex Popcorn:
1) 2 tsp ground chili powder, 2 tsp paprika, 2 tsp ground cumin

Spicy Popcorn:
1) Parmesan cheese and fresh ground black pepper

Nacho Popcorn:
1) 2 tsp ground cumin, 2 tsp garlic powder, 2 tsp onion powder, 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce, ¼ tsp Tabasco sauce, optional

So, put away the chips and explore all the wonders of our new and healthy lifestyle! You can have a multitude of flavors and are limited only by your taste and imagination.

Take baby steps and make a change at a time. They add up to significant changes that, combined, change our lives.

Please feel free to share creative ideas with us! Bon Appetito!!