What Are The Benefits Of Eating Popcorn?

Popcorn is an ideal snack for those who are watching what they eat. The natural snack food has quite a few dietary benefits. According to "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Total Nutrition," air-popped popcorn is easy to jazz up with spices like salt, pepper and seasonings to make a satisfying treat that will keep you full for several hours.

Low-Calorie

Air-popped popcorn is an extraordinarily low-calorie snack. The Popcorn Board says that 1 cup of air-popped popcorn with no butter or oil contains 31 calories per cup. Popping popcorn in oil on the stove increases the calorie count to just 55 calories per cup. However, in order to ensure popcorn remains a low-calorie treat, you should steer clear of popcorn topped with butter. Lightly buttered popcorn has about 133 calories per cup, according to The Popcorn Board. Most movie theaters put on more butter than you would at home, increasing the calorie count to 200 to 300 calories per cup.

Fiber

Popcorn contains the rough insoluble fiber that's necessary to keep your digestive tract healthy. The USDA Nutrient Data Laboratory says that 1 cup of plain, air-popped popcorn contains about 2 g of fiber. Incorporating 2 to 3 cups of popcorn into your diet each day will provide your body with the roughage it requires to ensure healthy, regular bowel movements.

Complex Carbohydrates

As a whole grain, popcorn is a source of complex carbohydrates. Complex carbohydrates provide your body with the energy it requires to participate in physical activities, including your daily exercise routine. Additionally, whole grains contribute to overall heart health, and can even lower your blood cholesterol levels. The Popcorn Board says that 3 cups of popcorn is equal to one serving of grains.

Fat-Free

Air-popped popcorn is a naturally fat-free food, which makes it ideal for low-fat diets. However, popcorn that's been popped in oil or drizzled with butter does contain a fair amount of fat. For best results, try seasoning the popcorn with spicy seasoning blends or a pinch of salt instead of fatty butter, oil or cheese.