I was pleasantly surprised a few weeks ago when I came across news of a new study stating yet another reason why popcorn is such a great snack! Popcorn has always been recommended as a low calorie, whole grain and high fiber snack and new research is showing that popcorn is also packed with antioxidants.
Antioxidants reduce oxidation and protect cells from damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals lead to the aging process as well the onset of many chronic diseases. A diet high in antioxidant containing foods (fruits, vegetables, and whole grains like popcorn) have been shown to offer protection from the damage caused by free radicals.
But (yes there is a but) not all popcorn is created equally. Added butter and salt in movie theater and microwave popcorn will pretty much negate any health benefits of those antioxidants. There are plenty of healthy and delicious ingredients to flavor popcorn at home. Experiment with anything you have on hand to spice up your popcorn; here are some ideas:
- black pepper and Parmesan
- cinnamon and nutmeg
- lime juice or zest, chopped cilantro, dash of kosher salt
- garlic powder, cayenne, and Parmesan
Recipe:
Equipment
Stove top Popcorn Popper or Hot Air Popcorn Popper
Ingredients
- ¼ C popcorn kernels
- ½ T canola oil (only with stove top method)
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- pinch of cayenne
- 1 T grated Parmesan cheese
1. Pop kernels. If using the stove top popper add oil first over medium heat and turn handle continuously.
2. Toss with flavoring ingredients and enjoy!
Nutritional Information With Comparison to Orville Redenbacher's Tender White:
(5 cups popped/serving)
Calories: 186
|
vs
|
243
|
Fat: 5.3 g total fat, ..6 g sat fat, 0 g trans fat
|
vs
|
17.2 g total fat, 8.6 g sat fat, 0g trans fat
|
Carbohydrates: 15.7 g
|
vs
|
21.5 g
|
Protein: 3.6 g
|
vs
|
2.9 g
|
Fiber: 2.9 g
|
vs
|
4.29 g
|
Sodium: 1.5 mg
|
vs
|
357.5 mg
|
Cholesterol: 2 mg
|
vs
|
0 mg
|
Based on the comparison above, my popcorn recipe is the smart choice with savings of close to 60 calories and 12 grams of fat, with virtually no sodium. Happy popping!
Read more about antioxidants here.
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