Is Popcorn Good for Weight Loss?

Benefits of Popcorn: Low Calorie Snack

Yes, popcorn can be a good snack for weight loss when prepared and consumed mindfully. Popcorn is a go-to snack, especially for movie nights or evening indulgence, and thus may not cross someone’s mind when they are thinking about foods that can aid weight loss. Surprisingly, it can play a major part when you want to burn some extra calories.

Nutrition Breakdown:

Two cups of air-popped popcorn have:

• 62 calories
• Carbohydrates-12.4 grams
• Fat-0.73 grams
• fiber - 2.3 grams
• Protein- 2 gram

How is Popcorn a Good Weight Loss Option?

If consumed the right way, popcorn can be a great snack for losing weight. The following are some of the reasons that make popcorn helpful for weight loss:

1. Low-Calorie Food Item

Regular air-popped popcorn is typically low in calories. Air-popped popcorn, without added butter, oil, or sugar has been recognised as low-calorie snack, making it a good alternatives high calorie snack cookies, candy etc. When you consume a cup of air-popped popcorn, you are likely to gain about 30-40 calories. Thus, compared with other snacking options like cookies and chips, you can enjoy a larger serving of popcorn while consuming fewer calories.

2. Rich in Fibre

Popcorn is a whole grain that is rich in fiber, which can help you feel full for prolonged time, potentially reducing overall calorie intake. Fibre is favourable for weight loss as it creates a feeling of fullness and helps control one's appetite, and popcorn contains significant amounts of it. When a person is well-satiated and full, they are less likely to overeat or consume unhealthy food, making it easier to lose weight.

3. Low in Fat

Originally, air-popped popcorn was low in fat, and when it is popped with minimal oil, it is a good snack for weight loss. The key is to remember that fats are calorie-dense. So, to restrict excess calorie intake and simplify weight loss, you must avoid consuming high-fat snacks like chips.

4. Offers Whole Grain Benefits

The conventional variety of popcorn is a whole grain, which means that it contains all the parts of a grain, such as the germ, the endosperm, and the bran. Whole grains offer vital nutrients along with vitamins, antioxidants, minerals, and fibre.

Thus, popcorn is highly recommended for achieving health benefits over any refined grain. Incorporating popcorn into your diet can boost your metabolism and overall health.

5. Prepared as Made-to-Order

Popcorn is customizable, and thus, people enjoy it in different ways. You can also try various seasonings, like spices, herbs, or edible yeast, that add a unique flavour without adding too many calories. This allows one to personalize their snack as per their taste buds. This way, people can eat clean and use popcorn in their weight-loss journey.

6. Low Energy Density

Popcorn contains low energy density, meaning it has relatively few calories for its volume. This can be helpful for feeling satisfied with a larger portion size.

Nonetheless, please remember that not all popcorn variants are favourable for weight loss. Sometimes, vendors or manufacturers add excessive amounts of butter, oil, salt, or sweet toppings to popcorn, which increases its fat content. One must avoid these combinations to a minimum when following a strict weight-loss diet.

Tips for Adding Popcorn into Weight Loss Plan:

• Choose air-popped: Air-popped popcorn is the healthiest choice as it reduces added fats and calories.
• Mindful Eating: Avoid overeating even though with the healthy snacks such as popcorn and be mindful of portion sizes.
• Avoid Toppings: Limit excessive oil, butter, sugar and salt which may result to increase the calorie and fat content.

Additional Health Benefits of Popcorn

Besides helping individuals lose weight, popcorn is considered an important food that potentially reduces the chances of developing heart disease, diabetes, or hypertension. Here's how:

Boost Gut Health

Popcorn is high in fiber, which is best known for its ability to get you relief from constipation as perhaps fiber considered as best for “get things moving” in your bowels. Additionally, fiber is the ultimate food for your gut microbiome which ultimately boosts your overall gut health.

Combats Obesity

Popcorn is a good choice for snack if you’re trying to lose weight. It has high fiber content and no added sugar, making you feel fuller for prolonged timed on fewer calories and please don’t let the delicious crunch fool you.

Popcorn is Believed to Lower Risk of Diabetes

Whole grains are beneficial for human health in various ways. One of the biggest benefits is minimizing the chances of developing type 2 diabetes, which is a common ailment among middle-aged men and women.

Moreover, popcorn is popular among health-conscious individuals because of its low glycemic index (GI). This means that popcorn helps keep blood sugar levels stable and does not cause a sharp rise, which is the case with foods with high GI.

Popcorn Can Lower Heart Disease Chances

The high fibre content in popcorn can reduce the risk of cardiovascular issues, including coronary heart disease. Medical experts believe that fibre is an indispensable part of any balanced diet, and it is possible to complete your fibre intake occasionally by incorporating popcorn as a snack.

Popcorn Reduces Hypertension

If you want to enjoy popcorn in a way that may help lower your blood pressure, consider eating it without much-added salt or butter. Over time, this will decrease your chances of developing high blood pressure.

The Right Way to Prepare Popcorn

Popcorn is easy to prepare, especially at home. Listed below are the required steps to prepare popcorn the right way:

• Step 1: Start by taking half a cup of popcorn kernels. Ensure that you use a pot with sufficient room for the kernels to expand.
• Step 2: Heat the pot over medium heat and pour in the popcorn kernels. You can add 1-3 tablespoons of light oil if you desire. As soon as you cover the lid, you will hear the kernels popping.
• Step 3: When the popping sound slows down every few seconds, switch off the stove burner and release the steam from the lid.

This is how your healthy popcorn will be ready within a few minutes. If needed, you can also add seasonings or herbs to enhance the taste of your popcorn.

Also Read:

→ Is Protein Powder Good for Weight Loss

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→ Rice or Roti: Which is Better for Weight Loss

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→ What’s the Best Time to Eat Eggs for Weight Loss