Josh Bezoni's Blog - Posts Tagged "joshbezoni"
Popcorn Explodes Waistlines
One of the trickiest things about embracing a healthy lifestyle is the incredible amount of misinformation out there. Especially given the booming "health foods" industry, it might seem heartening to watch as more supermarket shelves stock more and more goods that are branded to imply they are nutritionally superior. Unfortunately, more often than not, the message being sold on the wrapper is a far cry from the real benefit to be found once you take your first bite.
One of the most longstanding misconceptions about a healthy snack alternative to chips and other salty treats revolves around popcorn. This staple of so many American moviegoers' diets might seem like it has a lot to offer on the surface. You buy it as kernels, which at least appear to be more natural than what you get when you buy a bag of chips. Furthermore, popcorn is extremely light and fluffy in texture, so many people assume they are equally light in calories. You may be surprised to learn what a fat trap popcorn can be.
Store-bought brands of popcorn is almost always loaded with inflammatory fats and a shocking amount of sodium. When you add the calories that are jammed into the flavoring of most popcorn products to the carbohydrate content, you find that this alternative to chips or pretzels is not really all that healthy at all.
In fact, the snack is potentially more damaging precisely because it feels so light. It would be natural to assume that you're eating better because the snack is not filling you up. You would be wrong.
Popcorn doesn't fill you up because it is so nutrient-sparse. It offers very little in terms of healthy fats, protein, fiber, or phytonutrients, so they do not satisfy your appetite at all. As a result, most people eat way more than an appropriate portion of the treat and don't even realize it. Further, you are actually more inclined to eat too much later on which is troubling - especially given the fact that the popcorn already snuck more calories into your diet than you may expect.
If you are truly dying for the salty treat, be a proactive consumer and advocate for your own health. Pop plain popcorn at home, and add your own flavors, with a light drizzle of some healthy oils and a small amount of sea salt. It will hit the spot without tanking your efforts to live a happier, healthier life.
One of the most longstanding misconceptions about a healthy snack alternative to chips and other salty treats revolves around popcorn. This staple of so many American moviegoers' diets might seem like it has a lot to offer on the surface. You buy it as kernels, which at least appear to be more natural than what you get when you buy a bag of chips. Furthermore, popcorn is extremely light and fluffy in texture, so many people assume they are equally light in calories. You may be surprised to learn what a fat trap popcorn can be.
Store-bought brands of popcorn is almost always loaded with inflammatory fats and a shocking amount of sodium. When you add the calories that are jammed into the flavoring of most popcorn products to the carbohydrate content, you find that this alternative to chips or pretzels is not really all that healthy at all.
In fact, the snack is potentially more damaging precisely because it feels so light. It would be natural to assume that you're eating better because the snack is not filling you up. You would be wrong.
Popcorn doesn't fill you up because it is so nutrient-sparse. It offers very little in terms of healthy fats, protein, fiber, or phytonutrients, so they do not satisfy your appetite at all. As a result, most people eat way more than an appropriate portion of the treat and don't even realize it. Further, you are actually more inclined to eat too much later on which is troubling - especially given the fact that the popcorn already snuck more calories into your diet than you may expect.
If you are truly dying for the salty treat, be a proactive consumer and advocate for your own health. Pop plain popcorn at home, and add your own flavors, with a light drizzle of some healthy oils and a small amount of sea salt. It will hit the spot without tanking your efforts to live a happier, healthier life.
