Watching movies or our favorite TV programs is not complete without a big bowl of hot popped corn which everyone enjoys, young and old alike. The more intense the drama or the more fun it is watching a sitcom the more we indulge ourselves in eating popcorn so much so that cooking another bag of popcorn is a must. It comes in different flavors that suit everybody’s palate and distinctive taste. Popcorn is all about watching and binge eating with fun.

The best thing about eating popcorn is that it is also filling as it is full of carbohydrates that after watching a certain movie or TV show, we feel our tummy is full and completely satisfied for the day. While some people abhor eating popcorn especially for those who are obese or overweight, it is still good to know that eating popcorn has its own benefits that we could reap especially when we are on a low carb diet. Below are some of its benefits taken from (https://drbeckyfitness.com/) for you to know and digest.

1. Surprisingly, popcorn is a low-calorie snack that contains vitamins, minerals, and polyphenols that act as antioxidants.

2. It is a whole grain such that it has a substantial amount of carbs with about six (6) grams of carbs and 1 (one) gram of fiber per cup

3. It is easy to overeat that could boost your daily carb count higher

4. Popcorn gets more addictive when butter and salt are added

On the other hand, the downside of eating popcorn reveals that “Non-caloric butter sprays are composed of unhealthy vegetable oils and chemicals. In addition, The chemicals used in microwave popcorn packaging and flavoring have been linked to thyroid problems, cancer, ADHD, and other conditions” (retrieved from the same source).

Moreover, microwave popcorn is related to health risks with the chemicals used in microwave popcorn packaging and flavoring wherein the packaging is "specially designed to repel oil to prevent leaking out of the bag."

“To make this happen, the microwavable bags are lined with chemical compounds known as PFCs (perfluorinated compounds). These chemicals have been linked to thyroid problems, cancer, ADHD, and even problems with children producing antibodies after receiving vaccines.”

“A chemical called diacetyl, which has been linked to breathing issues and lung disease comes with the artificial butter flavoring of microwave popcorn. Most of all, the oils used in the bags are often hydrogenated or partially-hydrogenated oils, which are trans fats.”

The good news is that there is a healthy way to cook popcorn in the microwave oven that will ease your frustration about that favorite movie snack. Through the courtesy of Dr. Becky Fitness, a particular recipe for cooking popcorn has been revealed (https://drbeckyfitness.com/healthy-microwave-popcorn-trick/). It is as simple as ABC to make your popcorn day a big blast. You can check it out with the link provided.

• Make popcorn on the stove - non-oil cooking means the fewest calories and cooking on the stove helps you to control the serving size.

• Using walnut, avocado or extra virgin oils is the best when cooking popcorn on a stove, and using canola oil is second best.

• Control portion sizes - one cup of plain popcorn is about 30 calories. Be cautious of the fact that once you start adding toppings, the calorie count goes up pretty quickly.

• Microwave popcorn is the least healthy option. It often contains a lot of salt, the flavorings are artificial and people tend to eat too much because of the large portion size of most bags.

• Avoid butter - or use it sparingly. If you feel like you must have it, use 2 to 3 teaspoons and gradually cut it out altogether. When you purchase buttered or extra buttered popcorn at a movie theater, a chemical is added to the food. If you add extra butter, you are getting at least one and a half times the normal butter serving. But, if you are eating movie theater popcorn and adding butter, the damage is probably already done.

• Limit kettle corn  - Kettle corn is usually mixed with refined sugar, salt, and oil and is a slightly less nutritious option because it increases calories and salt intake.

• Beware of added sweeteners and chemicals - Make sure to read labels whenever you’re at the grocery store to really understand what ingredients are in the box

• Add healthier, lighter toppings - Spice up your popcorn in a healthy way by adding hot sauce or melt a couple of ounces of cheese on your popcorn. You also can try a sprinkle of balsamic vinegar or eat your popcorn with pickles or jalapeño peppers. Make sure to add spices and seasonings and not powders, flavorings, or a lot of salt.

• Add protein - One way to keep popcorn servings under control and make you feel fuller longer is to pair it with a protein. Try eating it with a tablespoon of peanut butter, 2 ounces of cheese.

With all the aforementioned tips on how to have a healthier bowl of popcorn, you might not be satisfied with them and you want your way of cooking your all-time favorite snack in different flavors. Well, you have the option to prepare it in your own way that will be best for your health.

If you are having issues with being overweight, you can still indulge in snacking popcorn while you watch your favorite movie or TV show by exercising regularly to burn calories and unwanted fats that become a nagging problem for you.

Try visiting Flexispot.  It offers a wide array of physical fitness machines and accessories that will fit your busy lifestyle. One good fitness machine is the  Sit2Go 2-in-1 Fitness Chair which is a desk bike that will enable you to work and at the same time do exercises with cycling or biking. With this desk bike, you will be able to regularly exercise and reduce your excess fat in no time.

This fitness chair is comfortable to sit on with its supportive cushion providing “no pressure support.” The seat is height adjustable and can be adjusted while seated with its one-touch lever. Have one today!