Choose Wisely – Popcorn

Popcorn can be incorporated as a satisfying and healthy snack! Popcorn is an excellent source of fiber, and contain antioxidants, and B vitamins. I can help reduce your cravings for other high-fat, high-calorie snacks. Popcorn is a whole grain snack and is good for you as long as they are not popped in in unhealthy oils. Introduce once you have stabilized for 21 consecutive days.

Pop your popcorn in a whirly pop on the stove top in coconut oil or use an air popper. You can top with real butter, and sprinkle with a little sea salt, if desired. You can also add in some healthy raw almonds, raisin or sesame seeds to boost up the health power a little more.  Our favorite is the Whirly POP available in the Marketplace.

Do Not Choose This:

Microwave popcorn can be very high in salt and can cause water retention and cause bloating.

A toxic chemical has been linked to a rare and life-threatening form of fixed obstructive lung disease, (bronchiolitis obliterans). Also known as “popcorn workers lung”, because many workers at microwave-popcorn factories who are exposed to the chemical have developed the disease, which destroys the lungs. Some of the largest makers of microwave popcorn, General Mills, American Pop Corn Company, and Pop Weaver, no longer use diacetyl.

Also, some popcorn bags contain chemicals such as perflourooctonoic acid (PFOA) which is present in the lining of the bags which vaporize on microwaving and studies have shown the chemical being linked to infertility and causing cancers.

Do not choose popcorn while at the movies. The oils used for popcorn made at movie theaters contain trans-fats and should be avoided.

Choose wisely!