This post has been updated since it was originally published on June 16, 2021.
We are so grateful that going to the movies is a thing again. But before you head to the concession to grab that extra large bin of popcorn doused with salty butter, take heed. Health experts warn that this is the worst thing you can do.
“Most theaters add butter into the theater popcorn they make for their customers. This is already a concerning addition to an otherwise healthy snack, but most consumers add extra of their own!” nutritionist Lisa Richards, CNC of The Candida Diet tells us.
So–how bad is it?
High Saturated Fat Content
“The fat content of butter is almost entirely from saturated fat, otherwise known as bad fat,” Richards explains. “This form of fat is solid at room temperature and can increase cholesterol and triglycerides.”
What happens in the body when cholesterol and triglycerides spike? “An increase in these biometric markers will raise one’s risk of heart disease or stroke significantly,” she warns. That’s not good! The cause? “This is because cholesterol and circulating fat can cause artery blockages, a serious contributor to cardiovascular issues,” she warns.
“One of the worse things to add to movie popcorn is butter,” Lisa Young, PhD, RDN author of Finally Full, Finally Slim agrees. “It’s got lots of unnecessary calories, and it is most likely an oily butter flavor. It’s processed and contains no nutrients but lots of calories.”
So, what should you have instead? “Air popped popcorn is best! It also tastes great with nothing added,” Young suggests.
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What You Need To Know About Popcorn
Additionally, Francesca Alfano MS, CNS, CDN, IFNCP of Sustainable Weight Loss & Hormonal Health discourages moviegoers to order theater popcorn due to the high calorie, fat, and sodium content. She says, "According to [American movie theater chain] AMC, a medium-sized popcorn without butter contains 600 calories, 27 grams of fat, and 1,500 grams of sodium. A large popcorn is almost 980 calories, contains 44 grams of fat, and 2,400 grams of sodium."
Alfano notes, "The amount of sodium in large popcorn exceeds the American Heart Association recommendation for no more than 2,300 milligrams of sodium per day. We also want to consider that most people add butter to their popcorn, which can add an additional 130 calories per tablespoon."
Popcorn can be a healthy snack when it's not loaded with excess fat, sugar, or salt," Alfano tells us. "[It] is considered a whole-grain and can be a great source of dietary fiber. A 3-cup serving of air-popped popcorn has about 100 calories and 4 grams of fiber, which makes it a high volume filling snack. Adequate daily fiber is critical for [keeping your blood sugar balanced]. [It also helps with] digestive health and cardiovascular health."
As for a healthier alternative, Alfano recommends bringing your own snacks to the theater. "If you are craving popcorn, I recommend bringing your own individual portion bags from Lesser Evil or Skinny Pop. These have 50 to 100 calories per servings and 7 grams of fat." For those who have a sweet tooth, she shares that you'd be better off with chocolate covered nuts because they have more nutritional value.
