Is Movie Theater Popcorn High in Cholesterol?

Movie Theater|Theater

Movie theater popcorn is a classic snack for movie lovers. It’s salty, crunchy and irresistibly delicious, but is it also high in cholesterol?

The answer is complicated. Popcorn itself doesn’t contain any dietary cholesterol, and a plain bag of air-popped popcorn can be a great snack choice if you’re looking to reduce your cholesterol intake. However, most movie theaters use large amounts of butter or oil to flavor the popcorn, which can significantly increase its cholesterol content.

In general, the more butter or oil that is used to prepare the popcorn, the higher its cholesterol content will be.

A small serving of plain movie theater popcorn contains around 10 milligrams (mg) of cholesterol while a large serving with butter or oil may contain up to 40 mg or more. That’s still less than most fast food burgers or French fries, but it’s still significantly higher than plain air-popped popcorn.

If you’re trying to reduce your cholesterol intake, it’s best to avoid movie theater popcorn altogether. Instead, opt for air-popped popcorn at home and flavor it with healthy herbs and spices such as garlic powder or cumin for an equally delicious snack. You can also make healthy microwaveable popcorn with just water and some salt.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while plain popcorn doesn’t contain any dietary cholesterol, movie theater popcorn often contains added butter or oil which can significantly increase its cholesterol content. If you’re trying to watch your cholesterol intake then it’s best to avoid movie theater popcorn and opt for air-popped versions at home instead.