Is popcorn healthy?

Read here to find out more. Popcorn is prepared from whole-grains i.e. dry maize kernels. Whole grains are good source of complex carbohydrates which provide energy to sustain life. It is not processed and thus there are no losses of nutrients. Our article is based on how much of popcorn if healthy and for whom?

¼ cup of dry corn kernels yield nearly 3 cups of popped popcorn.

Nutritive Information of Air popped Popcorn (1 cup):

RDA stands for Recommended Daily Allowance.
Energy - 57 calories
Protein – 1.8 g
Carbohydrate – 10.9 g
Fat – 0.6 g
Fiber – 1.9 g

Vitamins:
0.06 mg of Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) = 4.4% of RDA ( (about 1.2 to 1.6 mg for men)
3.3 mcg of Folate (Vitamin B9) = 3.3% of RDA (about 100 mcg)

Popcorn for kids at movies

Opt for salted or butter popcorn if you have to feed your child healthy. Other popcorns like caramel popcorn is loaded with sugar and will raise the blood glucose levels.

Microwave Popcorn Made in A Bowl

Is popcorn good for weight loss?

Home-made air popped popcorn without any unhealthy ingredients added can be good for weight loss if planned well. Store bought popcorn or popcorn available at movie theatres is usually high in fat, cheese or contains caramel. Popcorn is not only is low in calories but also is a good source of fibre and protein. It is a better snack option - rather than having high calorie or fried snacks one can opt for popcorn. However the portion size control is a must. Popcorn is a delicacy which can be relished to heart’s content. But if you do so, it can’t truly be considered as a low calorie snack. Restrict yourself to just about a cup. More than that will pump in excess carbs in your diet. If you are on a low-carb diet and wish to have it occasionally, you might have to consider looking at its carbs and include that as a part of your daily intake.

Is popcorn good for diabetes?

Being made from whole corn kernels, it contain complex carbohydrates in the form of fiber. It is found to be just about borderline low in glycemic index (GI) and low GI foods, are slowly digested and absorbed as well as they produce gradual rises in blood sugar and insulin levels. However popcorn does have carbs too.

That should not be over looked. Popcorn is definitely a healthier snack option as compared to fried and other carb laden snacks. However the serving size is the major feature that needs to be focused here. You need to eat it within the recommended serving size as mentioned by your dietitian. Plain air popped popcorn is the best option. Avoid the cheese and caramel variations completely. While eating small amounts is permissible as an in-between snack, eating too much might lead to hiked blood sugar levels.

Is popcorn good for heart patients?

The fibre in popcorn may help in reducing the levels of LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol) and thus may help to prevent atherosclerosis and high blood pressure. It is also a good source of magnesium.

Magnesium is necessary for maintaining a steady heartbeat and normal blood pressure. Heart patients should only have air popped popcorn to keep problems at bay. You can also prepare popcorn at home using olive oil. But keep a close watch on portion size. Do not go overboard.

Is popcorn good for blood pressure patients?

Yes, but they should have only homemade air popped popcorn (without salt) because store bought or movie theatre popcorn is loaded with salt which is bad for people with high blood pressure. Serve it in a small bowl and enjoy it.

Here’s how to make Popcorn at Home