Naturally low in calories, popcorn is a healthful whole-grain snack. The moisture inside the kernels turns to steam when you heat the popcorn, creating pressure that builds until the kernel explodes. Each kernel expands to about 17 times its size when it pops.
Calories
One serving of air-popped popcorn, about 5 cups, contains 128 calories, while a serving of homemade popcorn popped in oil has 165 calories, according to the USDA.
Nutrition
A serving of air-popped popcorn has 1.5 g of fat, and a serving of oil-popped popcorn has 9 g of fat. Popcorn also has about 4 g of fiber, 22 g carbohydrates and 3 g of protein per serving.
Considerations
Popcorn, like other good sources of fiber, helps keep your digestive system healthy. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends adults consume 14 g of fiber for every 1,000 calories consumed, or 20 to 30 g of fiber per day. Most Americans get only half of this recommended amount, according to HelpGuide.org.
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