The Ugly Truth about Movie Popcorn

http://www.karenrothnutrition.com Holistic Nutrition Consultant, Karen Roth, MS, NC reveals the truth behind movie theater popcorn.

There are a lot of great movies out now. I just saw Avatar myself. It was a sold out show 500 seat theater and as I looked around I couldnt believe the amount of popcorn, hot dogs candy and soda. Its a treat to go out and we often dont think twice about treating our selves to the concession items. I would like you to think twice before throwing down obscene amounts of money for harmful foods.

Did you know that on average a Combo that includes a Medium popcorn and medium soda is 1600 calories and 60 grams of saturated fat? Let me put that in perspective for you. Thats as many calories as 3 Big Macs and 3 times more saturated fat!

Throw in a bag of candy, 5 oz size of Peanut M&Ms and you get another 790 calories and 79 grams of sugar. Thats as many calories in a McDonalds Angus Bacon and cheeseburger with 20 teaspoons of sugar poured over it.

Why not treat yourself to a nice dinner before the movie. On average the cost of a Med popcorn and med soda with a small candy is close to $15. For what? You could go to Baja Fresh and get a 2 taco combo plate for with a medium Ice Tea for $8 and under 1000 calories and thats less than ½ the calories of the Med popcorn, soda and candy.

Ok, if you must have something to munch on, then take in your own. I know the movie theatres would not like me saying this. But you can buy organic popcorn in a bag at Trader Joes that is seasoned with salt and olive oil. The calories are healthy from extra virgin olive oil. Its delicious. No Trans fats. Need something sweet? Take a Lara Bar in with you. Only 200 calories instead of 800 in M&Ms

So if you think that an hour at the gym will burn that off. Consider that to burn off 2400 calorie treat of popcorn, soda and candy, you would need to go on a 3 ½ hour run, non stop.

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• Popcorn
• movies
• movie theatre concessions
• concessions
• soda
• M&Ms
• candy karen roth
• nutritional choice
• food for thought Thursday
• nutrition
• holistic nutrition

[idie123]

do you know that movie theaters make their money off the fat foods. so lets say that every person in the world quit buying popcorn and candy, guess what we would not have any movie theaters. they make very little off ticket sales.

[NutritionalChoice]

@idie123 That may be so, but they could still make the popcorn healthier. They certainly charge too much as it is for cheap unhealthy foods.

[miss0ashton]

ugly not ugle

[NutritionalChoice]

@miss0ashton Wow thanks for pointing this out!

[DoomDen]

Sure, these are large amounts - but, it's not like you're consuming all of that every day! Everything is okay every once in a while...

[NutritionalChoice]

@DoomDen I don't believe that "everything" is ok every once in a while.

[thedisturbingtimes]

Let me put this in perspective for you: I like popcorn. :)

[crazimunda1590]

@NutritionalChoice LoL..

[Plato86]

In general when I go out to the movies with my girl we almost always have supper before. Just our habit I guess but it always made sense to me since we usually catch a later showing then get drinks afterwards.

[mainenwo]

@NutritionalChoice your messing with an American passtime here a bag of pop corn at the movies isnt going to kill you considering most people only go 2 to 3 times a year

[asansonex]

Not mentioned, but sodium is what's going to get ya.

[asansonex]

not mentioned but sodium is what's going to get ya.

[dmana3172]

Is air popcorn that I make at home healthier than movie theater popcorn by microwave or at the movie theater?

[XxSilentMaJicxX]

thats why i take microwaved popcorn to the movies its healthier right