Popcorn Two Ways: Sweet & Savory

Popcorn can be a blessing...or a curse. So what's the deal? Is popcorn healthy for you? Yes and no. Consumers hate when it's a grey area, but to be more specific, it's what's ON those sweet little kernels that counts. While popcorn is a whole grain and can lend a hand in the fiber department, it's the toppings that kill it from a nutrition view. The quintessential  movie popcorn can run you between " 400-1,200 calories, with one to three days' worth of saturated fat and up to 1,500 milligrams of sodium" according to this study.

But what if we took off the globs of butter, the mounds of salt, and kept the portion realistic? Yes, popcorn IS healthy for you. One cup of air popped popcorn with without the butter is only about 20 calories. Instead of butter, I prefer to step my popcorn up a notch with spices, herbs and even a little dark chocolate. Whether you're in a sweet, or savory mood here are some flavor suggestions for your naked popcorn.

Sweet:

1. powdered cinnamon
2. sugar
3. chopped pecans
4. dark chocolate shavings

Savory:

1. garlic powder
2. grated parmesan cheese
3. onion powder
4. dried herbs (I suggest oregano & basil, although fresh would work well too)

What are your favorite popcorn toppings?

-Carlene Future RD