Popcorn- Good or bad?

[Heather6869]

I think I have an addiction to popcorn- I usually have some everynight as a snack after my workout.
Is this hurting my efforts to lose fat? I use the air popper and dont use any butter- just seasonings. Your thoughts?

[emunah]

Not if you're in your calorie/macro goals.

[CardioFlava]

Smart Pop (microwave popcorn) by Orville Redenbacher is a good, healthy popcorn. It is 94% fat free and low in calories. It also comes in full sized bags or mini bags.

Here are some nutritional facts:
Serving size: 3Tbsp unpopped (6 cups popped)
Cal/serving: 130
Total Fat: 2g
Carbs: 28g
Fiber: 5 g
Protein: 4g

[Heather6869]

I am in my cal. range- I incorporate it into my daily meal plan so it all works out. I just wasnt sure if I should taper my carbs off in the evening.

[emunah]

You can if you want. Some people do. If you're training at night you definitely shouldn't. But at the end of the day if you're at a deficit it doesn't matter.

[spytechs_wife]

when i did my first cut/weight loss (2.5 yrs ago), i ate air popped white popcorn every evening as a snack, along with a diet soda. my weight loss went great! like everyone else said, as long as you are in your "range" i wouldnt worry to much about it. sometimes i think people make to big of a deal out of times to eat things...our bodies arent stupid, they will use what they get the way they need it, i think.

clare

ps try my recipe for healthy "kettle corn!"
http://www.offthecuffphotography.inf...akedkettlecorn

[SwellGirl]

viva la popcorn!

[spillsy]

Dito on the popcorn - I lost 30lbs while eating popcorn as a night time snack. I'm an evening exerciser - so the carbs work for me. LOVE the popcorn!

[DUMB BELLE]

You can if you want. Some people do. If you're training at night you definitely shouldn't. But at the end of the day if you're at a deficit it doesn't matter.

BUMP!

I was a popcorn addict too UNTIL I posted my own question about it and got the following responses:

http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=774509

I think the key here is MODERATION. As a snack once a day might work for you but eating bucket fulls could have a greater effect on your diet than you realise.

[Simpy]

Lah, I've never lost weight eating popcorn. Of course, if it's not covered in butter and oil I don't want it.

[Heather6869]

I actually have it as a meal. I get off of work at 5:30, then get to the gym at 7ish and get home between 8-9 so by then im exhusted and feeling lazy so I pop myself a big bowl of popcorn. I'd say prob. around 12 cups. -
I know its not the greatest but its just so darn good! Im thinking about trying clare's kettle corn recipe since it incorporates protein in with the popcorn.

[twinnett]

Since you workout at night, I would say popcorn is fine. Maybe downsize the portion and add protein! That recipe DOES sound really good!

[someday]

depends on exactly what your goals are.

popcorn is basically empty carbs.

[sherdi]

depends on exactly what your goals are.

popcorn is basically empty carbs.

Exactly...this is what I wrote on that previous popcorn thread:

Any grain that is popped or processed in anyway does not have any nutritional qualities. You are much better off munching on chopped veggies IMO. Also, popcorn is a high glycemic carb, and because you often eat them alone (without any other type of food) your sugar levels will be rising too quickly, and then crashing and leaving you even more hungry and empty than before. If you really want to have air popped pop corn, try to limit and have it as part of a balance meal with protein and fat.

The truth is, by popping a whole grain at a high temperature like you do when you pop corn, does change the molecular structure.. here is the nutrients that are in 1 cup of popcorn

http://www.nutritiondata.com/facts-B00001-01c21OO.html

So for 1 cup of popcorn, it only has 1.2gms fibre (which isn't much considering other types of grain). It doesn't have a lot of vitamins or minerals in it compared to other wholegrains that haven't been heated at high temps.

If you look here, you can see the value of fresh corn as opposed to popped corn:

http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?t...dspice&dbid=90

Personally, I chose all my foods very carefully and always go with foods that are going to give me more nutrients, more fibre, more vitamins, and health benefits. I try to eat food as close to nature, and to me that means cooking them in a way that retains their nutrients. Popped corn does not fit that for me.

It certainly doesn't fill me up..in fact, because it is such a high gi food, it has the opposite effect for me, and it makes me hungier...it also gives me hypoglycaemia, especially when I don't have it with any other type of food.

http://www.carbs-information.com/gly...n-gi-value.htm

Sure, popcorn is low in fat...but fat isn't the enemy...I don't avoid good fat.

[pallardyk]

Be very careful with microwave popcorn - most contain hydrogenated oils. Smart Balace Lite microwave popcorn doesn't use hydrogenated oils and is a much healthier way to go. Of course, air popcorn is the best.

[cutegirl136]

Be very careful with microwave popcorn - most contain hydrogenated oils. Smart Balace Lite microwave popcorn doesn't use hydrogenated oils and is a much healthier way to go. Of course, air popcorn is the best.

After a hard workout of an hour cardio burning 760 cal in 60 min and an hour training with my trainer, I drink my protein shake within 20 min, then 2 nights a week I will eat low cal and sodium popcorn about 2 cups..is this bad? I'm wrkn on 2.5 lbs a week lose and I'm taking stack. Am I defeating the purpose? Other than this popcorn I do not eat ANYTHING else, no pop, juice, cheat food completely by 1200 cal count. And water. Nothing else.

[oregonchick76]

After a hard workout of an hour cardio burning 760 cal in 60 min and an hour training with my trainer, I drink my protein shake within 20 min, then 2 nights a week I will eat low cal and sodium popcorn about 2 cups..is this bad? I'm wrkn on 2.5 lbs a week lose and I'm taking stack. Am I defeating the purpose? Other than this popcorn I do not eat ANYTHING else, no pop, juice, cheat food completely by 1200 cal count. And water. Nothing else.

Why are you taking a stack? Which stack are you taking? As long as you aren't going over on your calories you can eat whatever you want and popcorn is generally ok - airpopped is best.

Why are you trying to lose 2.5lbs per week? That is a 1250 calorie PER DAY deficit - something only the very obese should be doing.

[scotthm2]

I am in my cal. range- I incorporate it into my daily meal plan so it all works out. I just wasnt sure if I should taper my carbs off in the evening.

Nope, if you factor it in then it's all good. Carb timing doesn't matter hugely.

[Damon90]

What flavour of popcorn is recommended? Toffee, salt or sugar?

[rmterrell83]

Popcorn is actually a whole grain and a complex carb. Like any carb, eat in moderation and couple with a protein source. I use a bit of olive oil after its air popped to make seasoning stick. I add Mrs dash fiesta lime seasoning for flavor or pb2 for a little protein.