What goes better with a summer action flick than a big bag of movie theatre popcorn?  When I went to the movies this past weekend, I just couldn’t resist indulging in a little popcorn.   After I came home that night, I decided to look at the nutrition facts for movie theatre popcorn and learned that my little treat packed a bigger punch than I expected!

Just a small bag of popcorn from the theatre could cost you 573 calories and 35 grams of fat (over half of the daily recommended allowance)!  Even more amazing, if you splurge and order the large bag of popcorn, you’ll be set back 1,283 calories and 78 grams of fat! 

While air-popped popcorn is low in calories and fat, the stuff they serve at the movie theatre is loaded down with oil, salt and butter, quickly raising the calorie count.  After I found this out, I knew that there had to be better options for the theater!  Here are a few suggestions for the next time you find yourself tempted by the theater concession stand.

Snack beforehand. Take care of those hunger pangs before you even leave home.  If you arrive at the theatre feeling full, you won’t be tempted by the high-calories treats at the concession stand.  Here’s a few ideas:  

• Apple slices with a peanut butter spread. This protein/fiber combo will help keep you full.
• Reduced-fat cheese on whole-grain crackers will help keep your blood sugar at an even keel.
• Yogurt has plenty of protein to help keep your hunger at bay while you enjoy a movie.

Satisfy your sweet tooth. If you can’t peel your eyes away from the candy window at the theatres, you can still stay within reason while having a little candy.  Force yourself to ignore all candy bars and anything chocolate covered.  Stick to low-fat options, such as gummy bears, Tootsie Rolls and Junior Mints.

Pop at home. Some theatres will allow you to bring in your own snacks.  If you are lucky enough to have this option, use an air-popper to make your own bag of popcorn.  For added flavor, use a butter-flavored spray and some popcorn seasonings.  One cup of air-popped popcorn only contains 31 calories and less than a half of a gram of fat! 

If the theatre doesn’t allow you to bring snacks in and you’re still craving that popcorn, opt for the kid-sized bag and say no to any butter.

With those few tips in mind, you can enjoy the summer movie season without worrying about its effect on your waistline!

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