Popcorn is a specific type of corn that pops when heated. It is a whole grain, which makes it a good source of fiber and a high-quality carbohydrate. While popcorn can be prepared in a variety of ways, popping in oil is a popular at-home cooking method.
Caloric Value
According to the USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, 1 cup of home-prepared popcorn popped in oil, without salt or butter, has 55 calories; while, air-popped popcorn, without any additives, has only 31 calories.
Nutritional Content
According to the USDA database, 1 cup of popcorn popped in oil contains 3 grams of fat, 0.9 grams of protein and 97 mg of sodium. It also contains 6.29 grams of carbohydrates, of which 1.2 grams is fiber. One cup of air-popped popcorn contains .36 g of fat, making it a low-fat food. The amount of protein, sodium, carbohydrates and dietary fiber is identical.
Considerations
Preparation is key in determining the caloric and fat content of popcorn. On its own, popcorn is a healthy whole-grain food. The addition of oil increases both calorie and fat content. The addition of salt and butter to popcorn increase fat and sodium intake considerably.
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