Menu

The Secret of Healthy Movie Snacks

April 19, 2011   12 Comments

Why are these girls smiling? Perhaps, it is because they haven't inhaled their 1,200 calorie tub of popcorn...yet.

Healthy Movie Snacks

Or maybe it is because they are young and they don't have to think about their widening rear ends. (or maybe the movie is funny :)

The latest in SNACK news is that AMC has just come out with a "Smart Movie Snacks Bundle" that costs $7 and features bottled water, banana chips, popped corn chips, and an Odwalla trail mix bar.

FitSugar does a great job of reviewing the new snack pack - AMC Healthy Snacks Bundle Saves Calories at the Movies.

Well, I for one, am glad that there is a choice of snack that is 453 calories versus the calorie bomb of buttered popcorn and soda. What they chose is kinda bizarre (perhaps they should read Snack Girl for her list of Healthy Packaged Snacks), but at least it exists.

Of course, 453 calories isn't a snack - it is a meal, but I shouldn't nit pick.

There is a movie snack so OBVIOUS that it hurts me that AMC hasn't thought of it. It is whole grain, cheap, and fun to snack on.

You ready?

Popcorn. Right now you are thinking that I am confused because they already serve popcorn, right? The problem is that they pop it in oil and then drizzle more oil to destroy any and all health benefits of eating it - and they serve you 20 cups of it in a large tub.

"A large tub of popcorn at Regal Cinemas, for example, holds 20 cups of popcorn and has 1,200 calories, 980 milligrams of sodium and 60 grams of saturated fat. Adding just a tablespoon of butter adds 130 calories. And do not forget that it comes with free refills." from Popcorn's Dark Secret.

Ummm, yeah, so is that really necessary?

Why not just air pop the popcorn (31 calories per cup)? If you serve 20 cups - you just served 600 calories instead of 1,200. Now, you might need to add something to flavor it. How about taking a look at my favorite resource on popcorn - the book "Popcorn" by Patrick Evans-Hyton? (see below)

He has a bunch of great, low calorie, and inspirational ideas for making popcorn taste great other than calorie laden butter

Then, AMC could be the first to serve gourmet, low calorie, organic popcorn in a 2 cup size and charge $7 for it. Think about it!

There is a market for this healthy snack or they wouldn't have come up with their strange "Snacks Bundle". My local movie theater actually has a bunch of different flavored salts to put on popcorn. The place is kinda artsy, fartsy.

(my favorite way to have popcorn at the movies is to smuggle in my own that I prepopped at home in my microwave see DIY Microwave Popcorn: Healthy, Yummy, and CHEAP - but this is a SECRET)

What do you think of AMC's healthy snack pack?

Want to read about snacks?
Makeover Kettle Corn Into "Can Do" Corn
A Cookie Without Dairy or Egg (It is STILL Delicious!)
Denny's Maple Bacon Sundae
Satan Would Hate This Recipe

Get Free Email Updates! Yes please!

12 Comments:

I've always loved popcorn as a HEALTHY snack! I air pop mine and just add a little cayanne pepper. It's a shame that theaters took something that could be so healthy and blew it up! Now kids think the only way to eat popcorn is with tons of butter. I never buy snacks at the movies, sometimes I take my own in. (I know you're not supposed to, but what's a girl to do?)

Yes, you just need to bring your own, my wife always has he purse, so it's easy to sneak stuff in that! We stop somewhere on the way there and save money as well as cut calories!

I wrote about this on my own blog just a few weeks ago. (http://wp.me/p1a6p2-7v) I don't understand when they can not serve customers a decent potions size. why does someone need to sit for 2-3 hours with a feeding trough size vat of popcorn?

I will sometimes sneak in my own snacks. I know that isn't right but if they aren't going to offer healthy options I shouldn't have to buy what they sell. It is super easy to pre pop your popcorn at home and put in a ziplock bag and just carry a big purse! I'm not ashamed!

I've been sneaking snacks in my whole life. :)

I sneak in my own snacks. I like corn nuts, small and compared to what theatres serves they're healthier. It you want your popcorn fix go for the kids deals at the theatre. Not much better but better then what they have. I do let my kids have a little popcorn (they share some with daddy) but I bring a drink for them. Movie theatres only offer pop or sugar drink with Fruit in the tittle (fruitopia). My kids don't have that. I would LOVE them to offer a healthy popcorn. At least this is a step in the right direction though it sounds kinda yucky with all the unhealthy oils in banana chips and a trail mis bar is kinda weird. I'm not hiking I'm sitting on my butt for a few hours why would I need trail mix??

I'm going to make my own popcorn once I get some paper bags and popcorn kernels :) then I'll think (or look online)for low calorie recipes to flavor popcorn up! Like adding cayenne? ^^

kathy,how do you make your popcorn with a paper bag? do you use any special kind of corn?

So very true. Popcorn is a great snack, without the added butter and salt. I've snuck in food and bottled drinks to theaters for years and never been "caught" but its not like I really go frequently anyways so the chances of detection were low. It's ridiculous the prices they charge and that they have never had healthy options until now.

@ Jennifer - it's easy to make popcorn in a paper bag! Just put some kernels inside the bag(I think one serving is 1/4 cup). You don't need to add anything else. Fold the top of the bag over a couple times so it doesn't come open. Put it in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, depending on the setting. Just listen for the popping to slow down. When it comes out, add your own toppings and enjoy! :)

Cristina=thanks,seems so easy.a lot healthier than the store bought microwave popcorn(without the chemicals and poisons)and no fancy container!

There are four types of cancers of the stomach namely, Adenocarcinoma, Lymphoma, Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST),WED C1-7/R60 http://www.4dultrasoundmachines.com/637.html Carcinoid tumor and others such as squamous cell carcinoma, small cell carcinoma, and leiomyosarcomat that can start in the stomach, but are very rare.

Add a comment:

(required)

(required, never published)


© 2024 Snack-Girl.com