Pop Culture: Celebrate National Popcorn Poppin’ Month

Popcorn is a whole grain, rich in polyphenol antioxidants.

No one wants to be known as the mean lady who gives out apples for Halloween (or pennies, which didn’t buy much even back when we were Little Bo Peep). But we still are seeking healthy alternatives for trick-or-treaters. We like the suggestion of popcorn, a potentially more healthful option, not only for trick-or-treaters but for those of us who need help resisting the call of leftover candy. Plus, October is National Popcorn Poppin’ Month!

According to the National Confectioners Association, 90 percent of parents sneak treats from children’s Halloween stash. TOPS Club Inc. (Take Off Pounds Sensibly), a nonprofit weight-loss support and wellness education organization, recommends swapping sugary, high-calorie popcorn balls for 100-calorie packs of kettle corn.

Popcorn is fairly low in calories, especially compared with other snacks. According to the Popcorn Board, air-popped popcorn has only 31 calories per cup, while there are 55-calories in a cup of oil-popped. Popcorn also is a whole grain — a nutritional bonus. The average adult eats less than one of the recommended three to five daily whole-grain servings, while more than 40 percent of Americans don’t consume any, according to the Whole Grains Council. On prepackaged popcorn, look for the Whole Grain Stamp that shows 16 grams or more per serving, such as the stamps found on several Popcorn, Indiana products, including Original Kettlecorn and Touch of Sea Salt Popcorn.

Of course, be wary of popcorn laden with butter, salt and sugar. This fact about movie popcorn might be the most frightening thing you see this Halloween season: A study from the Center for Science in the Public Interest found that a medium popcorn and soft drink from a national movie chain has 1,160 calories and 60 grams of fat, the equivalent to three McDonald’s Quarter Pounders and 12 pats of butter.

Below we’ve included one of our favorite recipes for homemade popcorn, with olive oil and seasoned sea salt to elevate the humble snack. Salt options include Penzeys Spices 4/S smoky or spicy sea salt ($2.95–$4.59) or flavors from The Spice Lab ($14.95), such as black truffle, chili verde or bourbon vanilla bean. (The Spice Lab’s ghost pepper option might sound apropos for Halloween, but before sprinkling beware; the South Asian pepper is eerily hot.)

Your New Favorite Microwave Popcorn

1/3 cup popcorn

1 teaspoon olive oil

½ teaspoon seasoned sea salt

Instead of pre-bagged popcorn, put kernels in a brown paper lunch bag. Fold the top over twice. Microwave for about 2–3 minutes, until 2–3 seconds between pops. (No turning plate in your microwave? Rotate halfway through cooking.) When popped, drizzle with olive oil. Shake seasoned sea salt on top.

Serves 2

NUTRITION SCORE (per serving)

119 calories

27% fat

Fat 4 g

Carbs 20 g

Protein 3 g

Fiber 4 g

Calcium 0.5 mg

Iron 0.7 mg

Sodium 533 mg

What Halloween treats are you looking most forward to this year?

Photo credit: The Popcorn Board