The Health Benefits of Popcorn
New research points to popcorn’s health benefits, which is good news for those who like to munch on this tasty snack. It’s also great news for Moms, because children tend to love popcorn.
Of course, we’re not talking about the oily yellow popcorn of movie theaters. Homemade, air-popped popcorn is considered the healthiest.
The Health Benefits of Popcorn
Consider the following:
- Popcorn is a whole grain. You have probably heard a lot about the benefits of whole wheat, barley, brown rice, and so forth – but now you can include popcorn in that list! Its whole grain status makes it a great choice for those wanting to increase the fiber in their diets. Also, popcorn retains all its original vitamins and minerals; they haven’t been stripped away as with refined grains.
- Antioxidants are present in popcorn, most notably polyphenols, the much-touted antioxidant found in foods like tea, olive oil, and chocolate.
- Popcorn is relatively low in calories. Air-popped popcorn – that is, popcorn that has no added fat – has only about 30 calories and half a gram of fat per cup. It also has 1 gram of fiber.
- Popcorn is rich in B vitamins. Among the vitamins that popcorn contains, B vitamins are the most prevalent.
- Popcorn is an excellent source of fiber. The fiber in popcorn is reputed to help constipation and promote healthy digestion.
But let’s be honest – most of us don’t particularly go for the flavor of popcorn without any salt or butter. The good news is, you can pop flavorful popcorn that still has health benefits without using either of these additives.
How to Prepare Popcorn — The Healthy Way
If you have an air popper, pop the corn in that, and then toss it with some brewer’s yeast. Other healthy seasonings might include garlic or onion powder, seasoning salt, and salt-free spice mixes. Some people enjoy sprinkling popcorn with Parmesan cheese and cracked pepper. If you’re a vegan or avoiding dairy products, try sprinkling nutritional yeast on your popcorn.
You can make a healthy mix of popcorn, nuts, seeds, and dried fruits, too.
This is the air popper I own and use at home:
It’s very basic, but it serves its purpose and has lasted us a long time.
This one looks more high-tech and can pop more popcorn:
If you don’t have an air popper, you can still pop healthy popcorn. You’ll need to use a healthy oil, such as olive (not extra virgin), safflower, or sunflower. Here’s how:
1. In a heavy saucepan, heat 2 tablespoons of the oil.
2. Distribute 1/4 cup of popcorn evenly into the bottom of the pot.
3. Sprinkle a teaspoon of sea salt over the unpopped kernels.
4. Cover with a lid and shake the pot back and forth.
5. As the kernels begin to pop, continue shaking the pot and turn the heat down to medium-high. Gradually reduce heat as popping slows.
6. Remove from heat when there is no more popping, and pour popcorn into a bowl immediately.
Or just get one of these popcorn air poppers already:
If you liked this post, submit your email address below to get new posts by email:
