Vents MagaZine Music and Entertainment Magazine
Related Articles
Popcorn has been one of the world’s favorite snacks for thousands of years. Even today, one can hardly imagine the ideal movie experience without the presence of this popular nibble. Topped with butter, spices, and even caramel or chocolate, popcorn has evolved to be a hearty and delicious snack.
However, while popcorn is generally healthy, people who follow specific diets wonder about its properties, as well as its compatibility with their lifestyle. This is highly important for those who suffer from specific allergies, as well as those who follow a strict diet – such as keto.
The question is – can you eat popcorn on a low-carb diet like keto?
Find out below!
Popcorn Nutritional Overview & Benefits
Did you know that popcorn is considered a whole grain? Unlike corn, which is a vegetable, the kernels are grain. As a result, popcorn is rich in fiber, minerals, and vitamins, and consuming it is linked to a lower mortality rate, as well as a lower risk of heart disease and cancer.
As it is a whole grain, popcorn is actually very nutritious. In fact, 3 cups of popcorn contain ~90 calories, just 1 gram of fat, 3 grams of protein, 4 grams of fiber, and last, but not least, 18 grams of carbohydrates. Due to its low calorie count, popcorn is a great addition to any weight-loss oriented diet.
All things considered, popcorn is a very healthy, organic, low-calorie snack. However, keep in mind that the aforementioned values are true for air-popped popcorn. Adding toppings like butter and cheese will make the popcorn more calorie-dense, and certain toppings will override the health benefits of the grain.
In other words, to reap the most benefits from popcorn, it is best for it to be air-popped. A slightly more calorific, yet still healthy, alternative to air-popped popcorn is to make it on the stove. However, it’s advised to stay away from microwave popcorn, as well as the pre-popped packages, as they strip some of the nutritional value of the whole grain, with the addition of unnecessary calories, unhealthy fats, and sugars.
Popcorn on a Keto Diet?
Now that we’ve discussed the nutritional values of popcorn, it’s time to learn whether a person can eat it on a low-carb diet. The answer is quite simple, yet not very detailed – it depends on the individual’s daily carb limit. Let’s break that answer down.
As previously mentioned, 3 cups of air-popped popcorn contain around 18 grams of carbs or 14 grams of net carbs. As a result, a person with a daily carb limit of 50 grams can easily fit this healthy snack into their lifestyle.
However, an individual on a more restrictive diet may struggle more with the seemingly high count of carbs in popcorn. Consequently, they may conserve their low daily carb-intake for other foods, such as bread or sweets.
Even though popcorn contains carbs, it’s much healthier than other high-carb alternatives, simply due to its fiber content. As a result, a person with a highly restrictive low-carb diet should give advantage to popcorn over chips and other snacks. Moreover, popcorn is very low in calories, providing additional benefits to those on a low-carb diet in order to lose weight.
Additionally, it’s important to note that popcorn can be deceptive when it comes to portions. While it’s a great addition to mindless slacking, one could easily go overboard with the consumption of popcorn, and, as a result, go over their daily net carb goal. This is why it’s recommended for people who are on a specific diet to make their own popcorn at home, whether on the stovetop or in an air-popper, as it’s the easiest way to track its macronutrients.
Conclusion
To sum up, popcorn is a very healthy, low-calorie snack, packed with fiber and nutrients which keep you full for longer. While it may be relatively high in its carb count, most people can fit it into their personal daily carb goal, while others may need to cut down on other high-carb foods in order to eat popcorn regularly.
In other words – yes, you can eat popcorn on a low-carb diet! However, you need to be mindful of portion sizes, the carbs in popcorn, as well as way of preparation. All of these aspects need to be in line with your personal daily carb goal.
