Have you ever wondered does popcorn make you fat and other FAQs about popcorn. It is such a delicious treat that eases your tension after a long hard day at work, or makes that celebration extra special, and don’t forget how perfect it is to snack on during a blockbuster hit movie.
Popcorn is amazing, however, have you ever wondered about it’s nutritional content? Let’s look at that and many other frequently asked questions about popcorn!
Will Popcorn Make You Fat?
The short answer is no. Typically, air-popped popcorn is going to be low in fat and calories. It is NOT low in carbohydrates, so if you are following a low carb diet, this might not be a snack for you.
However, there is another caveat to popcorn that might increase the fat and calorie content. First, when you eat microwaveable popcorn, there will definitely be added fat and calories. Also, when you start adding flavors, like butter, cheese or a drizzle of chocolate, then the snack becomes a little less nutritious.
So now we’ve answered the question does popcorn make you fat? Now on to other FAQs about popcorn.
Is Popcorn Genetically Modified (GMO)?
Are you concerned about popcorn being a Genetically Modified Organism? Well, have no fear, because there is currently no popcorn or popcorn seed available in the United States that is GMO. In fact, according to the Argricultural Marketing Resource Center, today the industry produces approximately 9 million pounds of corn in 25 states. Popcorn is grown by less than one percent of U.S. farmers on less than one percent of the harvested acres. In other words, it’s too small a crop to modify.
Does Popcorn Contain Gluten?
The necessity of diets versus a diet trend. A doctor prescribed a diet due to a specific dietary need or restriction but these can become fads. Gluten is something that is often brought up. Whether you have celiac disease or believe that you have a gluten intolerance or sensitivity, rest assured you can still eat popcorn.
Popcorn is naturally gluten free, so it makes a great snack for everyone to enjoy. Just keep in mind that if you add flavors or other things to your popcorn, you want to make sure those things do not have gluten in them if you are keeping it a gluten-free snack.
In fact at My Popcorn Kitchen, the vast majority of our flavors are gluten free. Exceptions to this are: Bacon Cheddar popcorn, Beer Cheddar popcorn, Loaded Baked Potato popcorn, Sour Cream N Chive popcorn, and Vermont White Cheddar popcorn. Other exceptions are where we add a baked good such as Oreo cookies, graham crackers, crushed graham crackers, or pretzels. We always note if it contains gluten in the product description.
Can I Buy Hull-less Popcorn?
The desire to find hull-less popcorn stems from the desire to keep from getting the hull stuck in your teeth. The truth is, the hull is the seed. So, essentially you cannot buy hull-less popcorn.
If you find this type of marketing on a bag of popcorn, it just means that the seed is much smaller, thus causing less hulls to get stuck in your teeth. The truth is, the hull is still there.
The hull is the best part of popcorn because it is filled with antioxidants, called polyphenols. These polyphenols help your body by preventing damage to cells.
Bottom Line about Does Popcorn make you Fat and other FAQs about Popcorn
Popcorn is a tasty, versatile treat that sometimes is misunderstood. Fortunately, we sorted out all the confusion. We think a well-rounded diet and everything in moderation will allow all of us to enjoy food, including popcorn, and not overdo it. Do you have a questions about popcorn? Check out our post Is Popcorn Healthy. Or drop us a line and let us know what questions you have!
