Healthy eaters in the US continually turn to popcorn as a healthy replacement for the salty snacks that typically break a diet. Instead of snacks like chips, nuts, or pretzels that may be high in calories, salt, or fat, popcorn provides the bite-sized ease of other snacks while providing vitamins, minerals, and fiber – but not! greasy! Here are some facts about the snack and the best way to eat it for the most nutritional value.

Popcorn Nutrition Facts

* Popcorn contains more than 40 different nutrients.

* Has more iron than eggs, peanuts or spinach.

* You can find B-complex vitamins, vitamin E, riboflavin, and thiamine in popcorn kernels.

* Popcorn has the highest amount of protein of any cereal.

* In the husk of the grain you will find iron, phosphorus and proteins.

* Popcorn has more fiber than potato chips or pretzels.

Plus, popcorn is the recommended snack by many research and health organizations in the US The American Dental Association recommends it as a good sugar-free, fat-free snack for kids. The National Cancer Institute, noting that fiber in your diet helps protect you from cancer, recommends popcorn as a great way to add fiber to your diet. The American Diabetes Association allows popcorn as a starchy snack in weight control diets. The Feingold Diet for Hyperactive Kids also allows popcorn as a snack, as it can be made without additives or sugars.

The best way to eat popcorn

The best preparation for popcorn if you want it to be a healthy, low-calorie snack is to make it with air. Adding butter, salt, or other toppings can decrease the nutritional impact of snacking on popcorn. 1 cup of air popcorn has about 30 calories, 1 gram of dietary fiber, and 1 gram of protein per serving. It has no saturated fat, trans fat, or cholesterol. You will also find manganese, folate, niacin, vitamin A, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, copper, and selenium in popcorn.

Whether you’re dieting, trying to get your kids to eat healthy snacks, or just trying to eat healthier yourself, replacing greasy junk food with fresh popcorn is an easy swap. Eating popcorn to quell your snack cravings is a health conscious option that will help you manage your weight and provide nutrition rather than simply satisfying your snacking urges!