Popcorn is one of the most controversial foods in nutrition. After all, it is often attributed with excessive harm, believing that it clogs the stomach, affects weight in favor of the stomach’s growth, has excessive fat content, etc. In reality, not everything is so controversial, doctors note. In fact, you can eat popcorn even on a diet, but, of course, taking into account a number of nuances. Which ones exactly, AiF. ru was told by the head of the clinical diagnostic department (branch of GlavUpDK under the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs), endocrinologist of the highest qualification category Elena Gubkina .
Calories in salted popcorn
Adding salt increases the calorie content to 407 kcal. After drinking it, there is a desire to drink liquid and, as often happens in the cinema, what is always at hand is not pure water, but Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Fanta, Sprite or a similar analogue of a sweet carbonated drink.
If salted popcorn is consumed on the couch at home, then, as a rule, thirst is quenched by beer, as a result of which the number of calories consumed increases significantly. In addition, an increase in the concentration of salt in the body retains fluid and slows down fat burning, as a result of which the body looks plump and there is no question of any sculpted figure.
If you are a fan of this delicacy, use green or herbal tea as a drink; in extreme cases, regular soda will do.
Contraindications for use
A certain category of people is prohibited from including popcorn in their diet. At the same time, the ban also applies to delicacies without additives, prepared at home. Eating corn grains is prohibited in the following cases:
- individual intolerance to the product;
- vascular thrombosis;
- period of exacerbation of chronic diseases of the stomach or intestines (gastritis, ulcer);
- allergic reaction to corn.
If a child or adult develops symptoms of poisoning or allergies while eating popcorn, then it is necessary to immediately consult a doctor and completely exclude the delicacy from the diet.
Sweet popcorn calories
Probably the most popular type of popcorn not only among children, but also among adults. It is worth remembering that calorie content is influenced by flavoring agents and the volume of syrup used.
The calorie content of the sweet delicacy is 400-700 kcal, it is believed that in order to obtain the minimum calorie content, sweet popcorn must be cooked in the microwave, and for a stronger taste, the popcorn is sprinkled with powdered sugar before eating.
The history of popcorn
The history of popcorn begins about 7 thousand years ago. It was then that corn cultivation began in the mountainous parts of Mexico. As time passed, at the beginning of our era, corn became the staple food in America.
The ancient Indians of those years discovered that a certain type of corn swells when heated. This happens because inside the grain there is a small amount of starch in liquid form.
After this water boils, steam is formed, breaking the shell of the grain, after which it opens and increases in volume.
The process of making popcorn determined its name. The word “corn” in English sounds like “corn”, and “pop” means “burst”. The literal translation of the word “popcorn” is “popped corn.”
Popcorn appeared in Europe approximately in the 15th century, but it began to be produced in a modern way only at the end of the 19th century, when a machine for frying corn kernels was invented in the USA.
The inventor of this device was Charles Critors. To this day, the operation of popcorn machines is based on the principles of those devices.
Cheese popcorn calories
One of the most high-calorie types of popcorn. This all happens due to mixing with the cheese mixture, which increases the total calorie content of the product to 500 kcal. in 100 gr. In most cases, natural cheese mixture is quite difficult to obtain; to reduce costs, many companies add a variety of cheese flavor enhancers, flavors and similar food additives.
However, its caloric content does not reduce its popularity, because in fact not many people worry about the caloric content of their diet, they are much more interested in the nutritional value, taste and price segment of the product.
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 burn off 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;
- 1 onion;
- 1 carrot;
- 1 potato;
- 2 cloves of garlic;
- 200 g canned corn;
- 200 ml cream;
- 400 ml purified water;
- 25 g ground curry;
- 25 ml sunflower oil.
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. The calorie content of such a 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 olive oil;
- 30 g chili pepper;
- 500 g popcorn;
- 45 g lime zest.
Pour olive oil into a frying pan and heat it. 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. The 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 butter.
Place dried mushrooms, yeast, garlic, thyme and lemon zest in a blender bowl. 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 of 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 mold coated with butter. Let the cake sit in the refrigerator for about an hour or two. The calorie content of such a product per 100 g is within 280 kcal.
The benefits of popcorn
This product has the following positive properties:
- rich in iron, phosphorus, calcium, as well as a list of minerals that play an important role for the normal functioning of the circulatory system, the strength of bones and teeth;
- the amount of protein is contained at an increased level, higher than in vegetables, oatmeal or baked goods;
- popcorn contains vitamin B1, which has a positive effect on the functioning of the intestines and stomach, and is also necessary for the functioning of the nervous system;
- the presence of riboflavin is greater than in legumes, cabbage and oatmeal.
Nutrient content
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.
The dangers of popcorn
Popcorn with various fillings and additives is harmful:
- the increased salt content disrupts the water balance and if a person is prone to swelling, this will certainly be reflected after eating salted popcorn;
- calories obtained from popcorn with the presence of sugar are instantly broken down and stored in subcutaneous fat (while only a small part of the energy is taken by internal organs for their normal functioning);
- high fat content is not recommended for people suffering from pancreatic diseases;
- often, instead of high-quality ingredients for making popcorn, they use diacetyl, which leads to disruption of the brain and lungs, as well as palm oil, which releases carcinogens under the influence of heat treatment;
- Excessive consumption of cheese popcorn or paprika disrupts the functioning of the intestines and stomach, causing gastritis and flatulence.
If you cannot refuse this delicacy, always know when to stop, because this is not a vital necessity, but just a whim. Don’t go hungry to the cinema and don’t forget to drink more clean water, sometimes hunger is disguised as a banal desire for thirst.
Is microwave popcorn harmful?
On supermarket shelves you can find bags of popcorn that is designed to be cooked in the microwave. It comes in various types, and as an additive, manufacturers often use synthetic oil (diacetyl), which acts as a flavoring agent. This substance causes significant harm to humans and causes the development of pulmonary diseases.
To reduce the risk of diacetyl entering the body, it is recommended to cool popcorn heated in the microwave before consuming.
The bags also contain perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), which is a carcinogen. Apply this substance to the inside of the bag, using it as a non-stick coating so that the corn kernels do not stick to the walls of the package. This substance can provoke the development of prostate and liver cancer. The carcinogen also increases cholesterol levels and disrupts the functioning of the thyroid gland.
