Movie theater food is one of those guilty pleasures that many people indulge in when they go to the cinema. But how many calories are you really consuming when you buy that giant tub of popcorn?
Or a hot dog loaded with condiments? It’s easy to forget about the health implications of eating this type of food while you’re distracted by the movie on the screen, but knowing the calorie count can help you make more mindful decisions.
Popcorn is one of the most popular movie theater snacks, and it can vary widely in terms of calories. A medium-sized tub of popcorn contains approximately 530 calories, while a large tub clocks in at 1,030.
A small tub has around 270 calories. If you’re feeling especially indulgent, a “butter-flavored” popcorn will add an extra 100 calories or so to your total.
Hot dogs are another classic movie snack. A regular-sized hot dog contains around 250 calories, but that number skyrockets when you start loading it up with condiments like cheese, ketchup and mustard. The toppings can easily double or triple the calorie count depending on how much you use.
Candy is perhaps one of the most tempting cinema treats – it’s easy to forget about portion control when you’re surrounded by all those colorful packages! An individual pack of M&Ms® contains 230 calories, while a cup-sized container has 370 calories. Chocolate bars are more caloric – a Snickers® bar packs in 250 calories and a Butterfinger® bar contains 280.
Finally, don’t forget about drinks! Soda is definitely one of the worst offenders when it comes to movie theater snacks – even a small container contains 140 empty calories. If you must have soda, opt for diet versions or plain water instead.
Conclusion:
It’s easy to get carried away with all the delicious movie theater treats available – but being mindful about portion sizes and calorie counts can help keep your snacking habits healthier during your next visit to the cinema!