Popcorn is a whole-grain, low-calorie snack, according to the Popcorn Board. A 1-cup serving of plain, air-popped popcorn has 31 calories. Unfortunately, this healthy snack gets an unhealthy makeover at the movie theater. Eating a tub of movie theater popcorn is like eating a large bag of potato chips, explains the Center for Science in the Public Interest.
AMC
A small container of AMC popcorn without butter has 225 calories, 11 g of total fat, 9 g of saturated fat, 26 g of carbohydrates, 3 g of fiber and 150 mg of sodium, as reported by MyFitnessPal nutrition database. The Center for Science in the Public Interest analyzed a small bag of AMC popcorn and published the results in the December 2009 issue of the “Nutrition Action Healthletter.” The organization discovered that a small bag had 50 percent more popcorn than the serving size claimed, and contained 370 calories, 20 g of saturated fat and 210 mg of sodium.
Regal
A small serving of Regal movie theater popcorn without butter contains 7 cups and has 400 calories, 27 g of fat and 19 g of saturated fat, according to MyFitnessPal nutrition information. CSPI also analyzed Regal Theater popcorn and discovered the small container actually had 11 cups of popcorn. The 11-cup size popcorn contains 670 calories, 34 g of saturated fat and 550 mg of sodium.
Cinemark
Cinemark uses nonhydrogenated canola oil to pop its popcorn, a healthier choice. Most other theaters, including AMC and Regal, use coconut oil, which is high in saturated fat. A small bag of Cinemark Theater popcorn without butter has 420 calories, 12 g of total fat, 2 g of saturated fat and 690 mg of sodium, according to MyFitnessPal. The CSPI analysis of Cinemark popcorn revealed these reported numbers to be accurate.
Cineplex
A 6-cup bag of Cineplex movie theater popcorn has 160 calories, 6 g of total fat,1 g of saturated fat, 24 g of total carbohydrates, 4 g of fiber and 320 mg of sodium, according to MyFitnessPal. CSPI did not analyze Cineplex popcorn. The company does, however, use the healthier nonhydrogenated canola oil to pop its popcorn, according to Anderson University.
Butter Topping
The buttery topping will add more calories and fat to the tub of popcorn. A tablespoon of the topping contains 120 to 130 calories and 2 g of saturated fat, explains CSPI. The actual amount added to the popcorn is dependent on the person who pumps it onto the popcorn.
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