corn It is a whole grain, Therefore, it is a healthy food. What’s more, popcorn is also healthy, if you prepare it properly at home.
In its pure, unadulterated form, popcorn They are an incredibly healthy snack. Popcorn is low in calories and fat and is a good source of fiber.
Less than 100 calories and lots of fiber
You can eat up to three cups of popcorn per day! less than 100 calories and also get 3.5 g of fiber!
It is also a food naturally gluten free, ideal for anyone with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.
Research has even discovered that Popcorn has higher levels of powerful antioxidants known as polyphenols than many fresh fruits.
However, if you prepare popcorn with certain ingredients, it automatically stops being so healthy. For some reason, popcorn is often made with butter, salt, cheese, or sugar.
Be careful with commercial popcorn
A medium-sized container of popcorn like those served in movie theaters can cost you more than a thousand calories, 107 g of fat (65 g of saturated fat, almost five times the daily recommended amount) and 1.3 g of sodium. Even if you share the bottle with someone, you will still consume too many calories and too much fat.
Microwave popcorn is no better. One bag has almost 500 calories and can also be contaminated with toxic chemicals called perfluoroalkyls, which can be stored in the body’s tissues and increase the risk of high blood pressure, liver damage, thyroid disease, female infertility and cancer.
The problem is not that these substances are found in microwave popcorn, but that they are found in other places around us and at the end of the day we may have been exposed to dangerous amounts.
Make popcorn yourself at home It allows you to control what goes into your body. It’s easy to make them, you don’t even need a special machine. All you really need is a small amount of oil, corn kernels, and a large, heavy-bottomed pot with a lid.
Instructions for making popcorn at home
- Place the empty pot with the lid on medium heat and let it heat up for about two minutes.
- Add two to three tablespoons of cooking oil. Throw in three kernels of popcorn, cover the pot and listen.
- Once the test kernels pop, add enough corn kernels to cover the bottom of the pot.
- Place the lid on the pot and gently shake it from side to side. Keep stirring occasionally as the popcorn pops. Carefully tilt the lid slightly when not shaking to allow some of the steam to escape.
- When the time between bursts reaches three seconds, remove the pot from the heat. Season your popcorn to your liking and enjoy!
How to flavor popcorn
Fun, right? And best of all, there are plenty of delicious ways to season popcorn that are also good for you and will ensure you never get bored of this healthy snack.
- Furikake: It is a delicious mixture of seaweed, sesame seeds and salt, which combines perfectly with popcorn. Just a little bit adds a lot of flavor.
- Nutritional yeast: It is known for its distinctive and tasty cheese flavor, but it is much healthier because it provides a large amount of minerals and group D vitamins.
- Pickled gherkins. The popcorn mix with dill and garlic pickles does not disappoint.
- Chili powder and lime zest. If you love everything spicy, this is the popcorn for you! The chili powder and lime add a lot of flavor.
- Garlic and herbs: Sometimes the simplest combinations are the most delicious. A little garlic powder and your favorite herbs make a delicious topping for popcorn.