Salted popcorn. Popcorn: calorie content of the treat. How do the calories differ between salty, sweet, and caramel popcorn? How many kcal are in sweet popcorn

Popcorn is extremely popular today. This is largely due to the fact that we are actively adopting the well-established Western habit of accompanying a visit to, for example, a movie theater by eating popcorn. Probably most of the popcorn is eaten while watching exciting Hollywood action films and comedies. At the same time, we are not worried about the calorie content of popcorn, since this dish is simply impossible to tear yourself away from. Where did popcorn originate and how long has it been eaten?

History of popcorn

It must be said that popcorn is different from other types of grain. Only it is capable of bursting from the inside when heated. As soon as you expose it to temperature, it bursts and becomes soft. This product is pleasant to eat, because it practically melts in your mouth. These features of popcorn have been appreciated for a long time. So, back in 1948, popped popcorn seeds were discovered in ancient caves in New Mexico. Amazingly, after research, scientists came to the conclusion that their age is at least 5000 years.

Thus, we can say with confidence that already in those distant times, popcorn was consumed as food, and the calorie content of popcorn made it one of the most preferred foods, because thanks to popcorn, the feeling of fullness was maintained for a long time. Europeans had a chance to try this dish only during the discovery and conquest of America. It must be said that the indigenous people of this continent actively consumed popcorn as food. They usually seasoned it with spices and dry herbs. The Indians served this treat to the first conquerors, and they fully appreciated its wonderful taste characteristics.

Interestingly, the Indians also had certain beliefs associated with popcorn. According to them, in each grain of corn there lived a spirit, which, when heated, went crazy and provoked the rupture of the grain. Popcorn kernels owe their unique ability to bursting from the inside to the moisture they contain. Since the shell of the grain does not allow moisture to pass through, during the heating process, water vapor from the grain does not find a way out and eventually ruptures the shell. As a result, popcorn will acquire its air structure, and the calorie content of popcorn remains high.

As you can see, popcorn can boast interesting story and we can say that this is a rather ancient food, which, nevertheless, has not lost its relevance today. Special machines for making popcorn were invented in 1885 in America. But today you can prepare it even at home.

Benefits and calorie content of popcorn

Many people think of popcorn as a container of empty calories that will inevitably lead to weight gain. Indeed, if you use it without restrictions, it can seriously affect your figure. However, if you adhere to the rule of moderation, then even this high-calorie product will benefit the body. However, the question of how many calories are in popcorn is quite appropriate even for those who are not trying to lose weight.

The benefits of popcorn are due to the composition of the grain from which this product is made. First of all, it is rich in quality carbohydrates found in corn. In addition, it contains a lot of fiber, which can have a beneficial effect on the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. Popcorn is also rich in B vitamins and potassium, which are essential for the normal functioning of the body. This product contains microelements such as phosphorus, sodium, iron, magnesium and other useful substances. However, from a nutritional point of view, it is quite difficult to talk about the benefits of popcorn given how many calories there are in popcorn.

The calorie content of popcorn is 387 kcal per 100 g if no additional ingredients are added to it that can significantly increase the calorie content of the dish. Naturally, the calorie content of sweet popcorn will be significantly higher, and the calorie content of salty popcorn will also differ significantly. So, if you add salt to popcorn, then the calorie content of salted popcorn will already be 400 kcal per 100 g, and adding sugar increases the calorie content of sweet popcorn to 450-500 kcal. As you can see, it’s better to enjoy popcorn in its pure form. This will at least prevent you from increasing the calorie content of the popcorn.

At the same time, if you limit yourself to a small amount of this product, without adding unnecessary ingredients to it, then eating popcorn will not affect your waistline in any way and the question of how many calories in popcorn will not be so pressing. It is worth remembering about limiting the serving size when going to the cinema to watch the next film. Choose a smaller portion for yourself, preferably without salt and sugar. If this is not possible, then give preference to salted popcorn, since the calorie content of salted popcorn is still lower than the calorie content of sweet popcorn. This is actually important, since it is estimated that while watching one movie, the average viewer can get up to 1800 kcal from popcorn! This is actually the daily calorie requirement for a woman. So if you don't want your popcorn to become a calorie bomb, be careful about how much you consume.

Thus, we can conclude that the main harm from eating popcorn is the high calorie content of popcorn, which can do a bad job if consumed in moderation. In all other respects, this product is safe for health and can even become a source of useful vitamins and minerals. Nutritionists, of course, do not encourage eating popcorn while on a diet, but occasionally eating a small portion of popcorn is quite acceptable. 4.2857142857143

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It is impossible to imagine attending entertainment events without purchasing various delicacies, not the least of which is popcorn. You can purchase it ready-made or in packages for homemade. However, more and more people are asking the question - is popcorn harmful to the figure and how many calories are in popcorn?

How many calories are in popcorn

Puffed corn itself contains a small amount of calories, however, many manufacturers add a certain amount of flavoring additives during its preparation, sugar syrup or salt. In this case, its energy value increases slightly.

As a rule, the calorie content of popcorn varies from 300 to 500 kilocalories. It is important to understand that calorie content directly depends on the type of supplement.

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If the delicacy was prepared without additives, it has virtually no taste, which affects its popularity. In public institutions - cinemas, experimental theaters, amusement parks, they practically do not buy it. The average calorie content of such a delicacy is 367 kcal, which is quite a lot and can cause problems with your figure. The composition of such corn includes fats (13.5), proteins (7.3) and carbohydrates (62.7).

However, when additives are added, the calorie content of salted popcorn or its sweet counterpart increases significantly. Let's figure out what popular types of popcorn exist and what their calorie content is.

Calorie content of salty and sweet treats

Puffed corn with added salt contains 407 kcal. In general, such popcorn is practically no different from other types, however, after eating it, a person develops a thirst, which is quenched with carbonated water in a cinema, circus or other places.

At home, such corn is often consumed together with beer, which is why its calorie content increases several times. The accumulation of salt in the body leads to fluid retention and hinders the breakdown of fats. The best option when consuming such popcorn is to purchase drinks such as herbal or green tea, or mineral water.

Many people have a question about the calorie content of sweet popcorn. It is most popular among children. The number of calories in it depends on the amount of added syrup and the presence of various fillers. In general, the calorie content of such corn can vary from 400 to 700 kcal.

It is best for your figure to consume a product prepared in a microwave oven. This sweet popcorn has minimal calorie content when compared to other types. This product has a low cost, and for this reason, manufacturers rarely add syrups to it. Used to enhance flavor powdered sugar, which is sprayed in small quantities into the product.

Calorie content of caramel delicacy

Caramel popcorn loved not only by children, but also by older people. It has an exquisite taste and pleasant aroma. Its calorie content is practically no different from other types of popcorn and is 405 kcal per 100 grams. Product composition:

  1. This amount of delicacy contains 77 grams of carbohydrates.
  2. Fat content - 8.9.
  3. The total amount of protein is 5.5 grams.

Energy value of cheese corn

This type is the most high-calorie. This delicacy contains a cheese mixture, and 100 grams of it contain more than 500 kcal. It is very difficult to buy such corn, and most often you can buy a product that does not contain a cheese mixture, but various flavors, chemical additives and flavor enhancers. For this reason, before purchasing, it is better to first read its composition. In general, cheese popcorn has a high calorie content when compared to other types, but this does not affect its popularity at all.

Types of treats

Today there are many types of this delicacy. On the shelves retail outlets you can see popcorn flavored with bacon, cheese, paprika or caramel. This product can be divided into the following groups:

  • Salted popcorn. It is puffed corn with added salt or salty seasonings.
  • Caramel popcorn. This puffed corn is poured with sugar syrup, and after cooling it turns into a caramel crust on the surface of the flakes.
  • Corn with different flavors. This popcorn contains a high concentration of flavor enhancers, additives and dyes.

Some nutritionists are of the opinion that this product is beneficial for the human body. However, the use of various additives in the form of dyes, fillers and flavor enhancers in its preparation makes the delicacy harmful to humans, since the stomach becomes clogged, as a result of which metabolism begins to occur much more slowly, which, in turn, leads to excess weight.

The most useful product is considered to be one that does not have additives. It contains carbohydrates, the digestion of which over a long period of time prevents the stomach from feeling hungry.

And also this puffed corn contains a significant amount of fiber, which helps normalize the functioning of the stomach.

Eating such a delicacy allows you to compensate for the deficiency of vitamin B, which has a positive effect on the functioning of a person’s heart, as well as his nervous and digestive system, due to the presence of potassium in it, which also allows you to get rid of edema, as excess fluid is removed.

For many of us, popcorn has already become a classic, although this product appeared in our country only about two decades ago. Caramel (sweet) popcorn, as well as its varieties - salty and cheese, are very popular; in cinemas, all these types are bought in packages, without worrying about the calorie content of the product.

And she is by no means small: on average, calorie content 100 grams popcorn with caramel amounts to 401 kcal, and this is the same quantity salted popcorn without unnecessary additives will enrich your body already by 407 kcal.

What about popcorn? with cheese, then its calorie content goes off scale - approximately 506 kcal per 100 g. However, is it possible to really gain weight by eating such high-calorie popcorn in large quantities?

Many modern nutritionists answer this question negatively, since by choosing this product when you want to have a snack instead of standard buns, sweets and biscuits, you have a unique opportunity to snack without the slightest harm to the body. This is an excellent alternative to chips, smoked meats and pickles.

Interestingly, according to researchers, popcorn was invented approximately 5,000 years ago, near what is now New Mexico.

Types and composition of popcorn

The corn from which popcorn is made is itself a very healthy product, rich in valuable fiber, which has a beneficial effect on the digestive tract. There is no doubt that all the substances contained in fresh corn are also present in popcorn. Below we will look at the varieties of this interesting product:

  • salted popcorn(corn kernels are coated with table salt or other salty seasonings);
  • popcorn with caramel(the finished product is poured with hot caramel syrup, which hardens when cooled);
  • cheese popcorn(the product is rolled in special flavor enhancers, food additives and dyes).

It is definitely worth noting here that sweet, caramel popcorn is considered the most harmful of all the species presented, despite the fact that its calorie content is relatively low. The fact is that this type of popular product greatly clogs the stomach and interferes with proper metabolism. So try not to overindulge in sugary popcorn to avoid health problems.

Popcorn in dietetics

A recent US study found that popcorn contains high levels of polyphenols, which not only have beneficial effects on heart and liver health, but also prevent the development of dangerous diseases and also help you lose weight.

It is very important that the popcorn used for the diet is completely clean, without fat, food additives, butter and other things. However, it is not allowed to use large quantity olive oil, sea salt or spice collections from dried herbs. Experimenters will certainly appreciate the ability to combine these additives in search of new flavors.

As for the principle of the popcorn diet, it is quite simple: you are allowed to eat exactly as much popcorn as you want.

This is how your need for other products will be significantly reduced and you will not be able to cancel out all your runs and activities with cakes, cookies or rolls. It is allowed to include popcorn in diets based on nuts and raisins, as well as carrots and turnips.

Popular dishes with popcorn

To significantly expand your culinary horizons, it is not at all necessary to use expensive products; you can get by with banal popcorn, which looks great in a variety of dishes, helping you shed those extra pounds.

Try some of the healthy, low-calorie popcorn recipes below and you won't want to cook anything else for a long time.

Creamy popcorn soup

This delicate soup, seasoned with exotic spices, will definitely appeal to those who like to eat something hot for lunch. To prepare it correctly, choose the following products:

  • 50 g popcorn;
  • 2 cloves of garlic;
  • 200 g canned;
  • 200 ml cream;
  • 400 ml purified water;
  • 25 g ground curry;
  • 25 ml.

We clean all vegetables, including garlic, and cut them into small cubes. Place the potatoes in a separate bowl, and fry the remaining vegetables in sunflower oil until tender, stirring frequently. While frying, add curry seasoning and stir. After this, transfer the mixture into a saucepan, fill it with half the water and add the potatoes.

Cook the mixture for about ten minutes, then add the remaining water, popcorn, cream and corn to the soup. Cover the dish with a lid, boil the mass for about 15 minutes, then grind it all in a blender. Calorie content of this dish per 100 g is approximately 275 kcal.

Chili popcorn

This unusual dish will appeal to gourmets who love to experiment by combining products that seem incompatible with each other at first glance. To make it you need the following:

  • 40 g cilantro leaves;
  • 10 ml;
  • 30 g chili pepper;
  • 500 g popcorn;
  • 45 g lime zest.

Pour into the frying pan olive oil and heat it up. Then place the chili pepper in a bowl and fry it for about two minutes, you can also season the pepper with salt. Remove the mixture from the heat and let it cool to room temperature.

Pour the popcorn into a deep bowl, add the peppers fried in oil. Stir, add cilantro and zest. Let the dish sit for a while, then stir again with a spoon. Calorie content of this dish per 100 grams does not exceed 220 kcal.

Mushroom popcorn

This aromatic delicacy will not let you feel sad late in the evening, when you really want to open the refrigerator and snack on something high-calorie. Make it from the following components:

  • 70 g dry yeast;
  • 10 g dried mushrooms;
  • 5 g lemon zest;
  • 5 g chopped garlic;
  • 7 g chopped thyme;
  • 100 g popcorn,
  • 70 g.

Place in blender jar dried mushrooms, yeast, garlic, thyme and lemon zest. After this, grind the ingredients at high speed to a powder consistency. Place popcorn in a bowl and pour melted butter over it, stir.

Sprinkle a little seasoning on the popcorn and taste. If it seems that there is not enough seasoning, add more. Stir the mixture and store the popcorn in a plastic bag. Per 100 g The calorie content of this dish is 129 kcal.

Popcorn cake

Such a bright and very appetizing-looking cake is perfect for a children's party or other unforgettable event.

For cooking you will need the following products:

  • 500 g ready-made popcorn;
  • 150 g butter;
  • 500 g marshmallows or marshmallows;
  • 400 g colored dragee;
  • 300 g salted straws.

Cut the straw into small pieces. Mix the finished popcorn with chopped straws and candies, then put in the refrigerator for five minutes.

Meanwhile, melt the butter in a frying pan and place the marshmallows there. Warm up, constantly stirring the mass, until the pastille becomes soft, semi-liquid.

Mix the dry mixture with the liquid mixture, transfer the workpiece into a greased mold butter. Let the cake sit in the refrigerator for about an hour or two. Calorie content of this product per 100 g stays within limits 280 kcal.

Popcorn ice cream

Indescribably delicious ice cream is low in calories and has excellent nutritional value. To make it perfect, you will need the following products:

  • 500 ml milk;
  • 400 ml cream 10%;
  • 3 egg yolks,
  • 20 g salted popcorn;
  • 200 g granulated sugar;
  • 6 g table salt;
  • 5 g vanillin.

Mix together milk, cream, granulated sugar and salt. Pour the mixture into a saucepan and heat to a gentle simmer. Turn off the stove and pour popcorn into the mixture. Leave the pan for half an hour until the popcorn softens completely. After this, grind the resulting mixture in a blender until smooth. Then strain the mixture through a sieve into another pan and bring the mixture to a light boil.

Allow the mixture to cool, meanwhile beat the yolks a little. Pour them into the mixture and mix vigorously. Pour the brew into molds and place in the refrigerator to freeze. It is recommended to stir the ice cream after an hour or two of proofing until completely frozen. Calorie content per 100 g ice cream is 159.9 kcal.

Popcorn is a favorite treat for a huge number of people, and it is especially popular when watching movies. It is obtained by heating the grains of special corn, which leads to their opening and increase in volume. When coming to the cinema and ordering a bucket of delicious popcorn, few people think about its calorie content. This issue is especially important for people who are watching their weight, since such a snack can negatively affect their figure. The energy value of popcorn depends on the toppings used, as today there are salty and sweet options.

Properties and calorie content of popcorn

In principle, the benefits of this product are a rather controversial concept. The substances that are in corn also pass into these air flakes, but there is one significant “but”. The use of various kinds of fillers, dyes, flavors and other harmful substances completely destroys any beneficial features corn grains. Nutritionists say that the harm of popcorn lies not only in its high calorie content, but also in the fact that it literally clogs the stomach. As a result, problems arise with the functioning of the digestive system. And these, as you know, are the main causes of excess weight.

Popcorn without additives is considered the healthiest, as its calorie content is low. Such a product can only be prepared at home and exclusively from grains, and not from semi-finished products. In this case, to prepare 100 g of popcorn you will need to use only 3 g of salt and 1 tbsp. a spoonful of vegetable oil, although you can do without it. Such a product retains useful substances that determine the following properties:

  1. This popcorn contains healthy carbohydrates that take a long time to digest, which helps saturate the body for a long time and get rid of the feeling of hunger.
  2. Popcorn contains a large amount of fiber, which cleanses the intestines of waste products and normalizes its functioning.
  3. Contains a large amount of B vitamins, which are necessary for the normal development and functioning of the body. They also have a beneficial effect on the functioning of the cardiovascular, digestive and nervous systems.
  4. Popcorn is rich in potassium, which helps remove excess fluid, which in turn relieves swelling and helps regulate water balance. Potassium normalizes blood pressure and improves heart function.

The energy value varies depending on the fillers. Here are the most popular options today:

Now calculate how many calories you eat by grabbing a big bucket of popcorn at the movie theater. This is not a lot, not a little, but about 1300 kcal, which is the daily norm and this is just for a couple of hours of pleasure. In addition, after eating any kind of popcorn you always want to drink, and in such establishments people buy sweet carbonated drinks, which are also very high in calories and are not at all healthy for the figure and the body.

Such a popular treat today as popcorn is not at all a modern invention. Interesting feature corn grains - people noticed that they explode when exposed to strong heat, turning into delicious flakes 5 thousand years ago. The oldest flakes found date back to this date. Popcorn first became popular among the first American colonists, who saw and tried this delicacy among the Indians.

But the difference between modern popcorn and the kind that the wise Indians treated their guests to is that in its production they use a large number of additives, as well as oil, which is not always of high quality. This became a stumbling block for nutritionists. And everyone who loves popcorn. The calorie content from such manipulations increases two to three times, and useful microelements and vitamins disappear. And it’s not for nothing that such cereals are declared harmful. How can you figure out whether popcorn is healthy and what type of treat is more acceptable?

Corn itself is quite nutritious. Popcorn also contains all the beneficial substances contained in it. Its calorie content is quite high, but this is not so bad. Eating 40 g of a properly prepared delicacy for breakfast can completely satisfy your hunger and not harm your stomach. It contains polyphenols that have high antioxidant activity. Fiber and ballast materials. It is rich in B vitamins - B1 and B2. The microelements contained in this delicacy are especially useful - potassium, calcium, magnesium, sodium.

Why is there so much debate about whether popcorn is healthy? What are nutritionists right about, and how can you avoid the threat of adding extra pounds by devouring this delicacy while watching a movie? Here are a few mistakes that people who love popcorn often make.

The calorie content of food largely depends on the method of preparation. No one argues anymore that boiled meat is healthier than fried meat in large quantities of oil. So is popcorn. It acquires calories during the cooking process. Don't expect that by frying corn in a frying pan with a fairly large amount of oil or fat, as well as salt, you will get dietary and useful product. Try not to use them at all or reduce the amount.

The healthiest popcorn, the calorie content of which does not threaten your figure at all, is popcorn made with air under pressure, without salt, sugar and butter. Nutritionists advise using only spices for taste - black, red pepper or others.

Making popcorn from semi-finished products. Such things are already stuffed with various dyes, flavors, sweeteners, etc. Popcorn made from natural corn is much healthier.

The ready-made popcorn we buy at movie theaters can actually be harmful. Both for your figure and for your health. But not on its own, but because of the additives. Some of them are not recommended for use, for example, in the USA. But they are still used in popcorn. Moreover, with strong heat treatment(much stronger than in a home frying pan), most beneficial microelements and vitamins are destroyed.

Have popcorn with various additives- cheese, caramel - the calorie content is much higher. If for a simple one it is approximately 300 kcal per 100 g, then for a caramel one (dipped in caramel syrup) it is already 900.

Popcorn is delicious and light, so you can eat a lot of it in one sitting. Especially if you are enjoying a thriller at this moment. This is what destroys the figures of his fans. If you have such a weakness, take only an acceptable amount. And keep in mind that after salted popcorn you will be very thirsty. And lemonades are also quite high in calories.

Still, if you choose between chips, crackers, chocolate bars and other snacks, then popcorn will be more useful. If you don’t eat it in bucket quantities. But this already depends on ourselves.

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