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Almost everybody I know uses Microwave popcorn. Sure, the microwaveable bags are convenient, but at what expense?
Let’s start with a potential health hazard:
Diacetyl is a chemical used in artificial butter flavoring, and is common in microwave popcorn. This chemical, diacetyl, may be linked to lung cancer. Do you want to take a chance with something like this? You can avoid this chemical by not buying butter “flavored” popcorn. Educate yourself further with these articles on the chemical diacetyl, its use in butter “flavored” microwave popcorn, and lung cancer:
Butter Battle (from Snopes.com)
Microwave Popcorn Linked to Lung Harm (from WebMD)
Some microwave popcorn also contains unhealthy trans fat, so that’s another problem when it comes to how healthy (or should I say “unhealthy”?) microwave popcorn can be.
Okay, so you’re not buying microwave corn with the artificial butter flavoring. That’s one way to save your health, but microwave popcorn is also hard on your pocketbook. Even on special, 3-bag packages routinely go for $4.00 or more. Try buying popping corn in bulk, and use an air popper, a microwave popper, or a newfangled stove-top popper.
Nostalgia Electrics OFP 501 Old Fashion Movietime Popcorn Maker, Hot Air Popper, Includes Measuring Kernel Dispenser, Makes Light and Healthy Snacks
Presto 04830 PowerPop Microwave Multi Popper
Small appliance popcorn poppers start as low as around twenty-five to thirty-five bucks –and rise to very pricey models designed to look like the old fashioned carnival popcorn carts. You don’t need a fancy appliance. A small popcorn maker that’s easily stowed in a cupboard when not in use is cheap, easy, and efficient.
You can purchase a one- or two-pound bags of store brand popping corn for as little as $2.00. The popcorn maker I use takes 1/3 cup of the popping corn kernels, and makes about five cups with that small amount. For the money you spend on a popcorn maker, you could recoup your dollars in as little as 8 to 10 batches of popped corn.
Popcorn, made without any, or with a tasty little bit of melted butter, salt, or oil, is a healthful snack. Four cups of plain, air popped popcorn has about 5 grams of fiber, and packs only about 120 calories. Plus, it’s filling. Butter comes in at approximately 100 calories per tablespoon . Add some if you want–and you do the math.
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Posted by publisher, Sheri McGregor on July 23, 2011 –with sponsored links that help fund San Diego on the Cheap.
