Did You Know?
That movie theatre popcorn is like eating 3 burgers and 12 butter pats?!?! So disgusting… I know!!! I’ve always known movie popcorn was not so healthy, but this info was just shocking!! I was watching the Today Show this morning and they had this segment on movie popcorn. Here’s the quick and dirty from the segment.
- At AMC theaters, serving sizes are smaller but can still pack a wallop. A large popcorn has 1,030 calories and 57 grams of saturated fat — the equivalent of a pound of baby back ribs topped with a scoop of Häagen-Dazs ice cream, but with more fat.
- At Cinemark, which pops its popcorn in heart-healthy canola oil, a large popcorn has 910 calories with 4 grams of saturated fat. “Though popping in canola gives this chain’s popcorn far less saturated fat than its competitors, it’s almost as high in calories and has the most sodium — about twice as much as Regal or AMC,” the Center for Science in the Public Interest said in a statement.
- The giant sodas served at the movies also take a toll, the study said. To name just one example, a 54-ounce large soda at Regal has 33 teaspoons of sugar and 500 empty calories.
- And don’t forget about the candy: A 5-ounce bag of Twizzlers contains 15 teaspoons of sugar. A 7-ounce box of Nerds contains 46 teaspoons of sugar. And an 8-ounce bag of Reese’s Pieces contains 1,160 calories and 35 grams of saturated fat.
Holy Moly!! Can you believe those stats! I typically try to avoid movie theatre popcorn, but when they came out with the little kiddie bag I was super excited! I’m a firm believer of everything in moderation… but this Today Show segment was proof that hidden calories are everywhere. So my friends, when you’re at the theatre this weekend watching “New Moon” be sure to order the small popcorn and share it 🙂
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Question of the Day….
What do you eat when you go to the movie theatre?
I either order nothing, or get the small popcorn. Depends on how hungry I am 😉
I’m with you on the kiddie popcorn—If I get anything, I get the kiddie combo and I substitute soda water (club soda?) for the drink. I can’t believe those fat stats! I never knew!
Even if I’m starving, I don’t get anything from the movie theater…not really just because of the nutrition, but because I’m a cheap ass! No way am I spending that much on junk! 😉
First of all, I’m usually too cheap to go to the movies in general and wait until it’s on DVD, but whatever. Second, I never buy the food…the last time I went I smuggled in a Larabar and water bottle in “the big purse.”
I totally agree with this. I have to say though, I was a bit upset at HOW MUCH they were knocking coconut oil. Whem ingested in small amounts, coconut oil has some really great benefits. Obviously, eating a HUGE thing of popcorn made with an entire cup of coconut oil is not good, but on Today they said ‘coconut oil is the WORST oil you could ever eat.’
Jessica – I agree with you! There are worst oils than coconut! They were acting like it was the equivalent of pouring liquid lard darn our throat… too much of anything is bad. Everything in moderation!
I was a little upset about the coconut oil too – yes it is mostly saturated but a lot of the studies have shown that it is actually good for your cholesterol!
Eww, that’s absolutely disgusting! I never eat movie popcorn… now I’ll never even be tempted by it. Gross!
i read that statistic and wanted to throw up – that is disgusting and will most likely keep me from eating movie popcorn. at least for awhile 🙂
Funny thing is that I’ve never liked movie theater popcorn. I actually never liked popcorn much like I discovered kettle corn in college–and now I’m addicted! Haha
When I go to the movies, it’s either nada or a box of candy. I never order the popcorn, though I’ll have some if a friend orders
Yeah….I NEVER buy movie theatre popcorn. I just don’t like the taste, and after reading this I am glad. I’m going to admit to being cheap….I’ve been known to pack my own snacks. It started when I would bring in healthy things for my kiddo and then I thought…if I’m bringing in good stuff for him, I should set the example.
My husband hates the fact that I do this by the way. 🙂 Surely I’m not the only one.
Thanks for the post – this gives me even more amunition for saying NO to movie popcorn. I resent the “kiddie tray”. Supersizing with empty calories and copious amounts of fat and salt REALLY gets under my skin especially when it is directed toward my children. I always have to be the “bad guy” and say no.
I would rather everyone have Hagen Daz – at least you know what you are getting!
WOW!! I thought I was being healthy when I grabbed popcorn too!! Thanks for the info, that’s just wild