Dear reader, if you want to lose weight and want to eat popcorn, but you feel anxious about it, which leads you to ask about the benefits of popcorn and its relationship to weight, and How many calories in popcorn ? To find out the answers to all these questions, continue reading the rest of the article with us.

How many calories in popcorn?

According to the USDA National Nutrient Database, 1 cup of regular air-popped popcorn equals 31 calories. That’s why you might want to skip the butter and salt on your popcorn next time you go to the movies, or better yet, make your own at home without any toppings.

Regular popcorn, which is considered a whole grain, is a delicious low-calorie, low-fat snack rich in dietary fiber, vitamin A, and minerals such as potassium and magnesium. Based on all that we have mentioned, the low number of calories in popcorn is also associated with some other nutrients and benefits, and we clarify from these associations the following:

cholesterol

Unlike chips or crackers, regular popcorn is prepared without butter or salt, making it a healthy choice because it contains only a few grams of fat per 1-cup serving and contains no cholesterol or trans fats, unless you add another fat source. such as oil, butter, or margarine.

carbohydrates

Popcorn is also a good source of carbohydrates. In one cup of popcorn, 80% of the total calories, about 6 grams, are carbohydrates. Foods rich in carbohydrates are an important part of a healthy diet, as they provide the body with glucose, which is converted into energy used to support energy. Bodily functions and physical activity.

The healthiest sources of carbohydrates are whole grains, vegetables, fruits, and unprocessed or minimally processed beans. Harvard believes that carbohydrates promote good health by delivering important vitamins, minerals, fiber and phytonutrients.

Minerals and vitamins

One cup of regular popcorn provides 1.2 grams of dietary fiber, 1 gram of protein, 26 grams of potassium, 16 grams of vitamin A, and 12 grams of magnesium.

Popcorn as a snack

After we got to know the answer to your question, how many calories are in popcorn? We will now touch on the importance of eating popcorn between meals, as the Harvard Health Letter of 2016 allows that snacking can serve as a good bridge between meals, when we want to maintain our weight without harming our health, provided that you make healthy choices when eating those snacks.

Harvard separates out snacks that contain a mix of healthy protein, carbohydrates and fats. For example, whole-grain crackers with low-fat cheese or peanut butter.

Popcorn falls into this healthy category of snack if you stick to making it yourself without adding large amounts of salt and without unhealthy fats. The USDA recommends that adult men and women consume whole grains daily, and at least half of all grains eaten each day should be whole grains, and popcorn should be whole grains.

Also read: The best diet for healthy weight loss.

How to make popcorn

You can easily make popcorn at home, by putting about a quarter cup of popcorn kernels in a small paper bag, then fold it over the top and put it in the microwave. Use the popcorn setting, if your microwave has one, or cook the popcorn on high for two to three minutes, or until the popping slows for a few seconds. Than it does not burn.

Also read: The fastest way to lose excess weight.

Dear reader, we hope that our article has helped you in answering your question: How many calories are in popcorn? …and now you can enjoy your cup of popcorn.