Supporting healthy cholesterol and a healthy heart, Smart Balance products contain no trans fat and no hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils. Smart Balance contains a blend of polyunsaturated, monounsaturated and saturated fats the company claims is designed to improve or at least support the ratio of good, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol to bad or unhealthy cholesterol. Smart Balance sells Light Butter, Smart 'n Healthy Deluxe Microwave Popcorn and Smart Movie Style Popcorn.
Company Claims
Smart Balance claims its Light, Smart 'n Healthy Deluxe Microwave Popcorn and Smart Movie Style Popcorn provide a light, movie-style, buttery taste, whole grain fiber and no diacetyl. Diacetyl is a fermentation by-product added to foods to make them taste buttery. According to the National Jewish Medical Center, diacetyl can cause health issues in manufacturing workers who breathe it in.
Ingredients
Smart Balance popcorn contains corn, natural oil blend from corn and palm fruit oils, salt, natural and artificial flavor derived from lactose-free milk, annatto coloring and added TBHQ to preserve freshness. TBHQ, short for tertiary butylhydroquinone, is a preservative used in combination with unsaturated vegetable oils and animal fats. According to the Federal Drug Administration, TBHQ is safe to consume in extremely small quantities but has been shown to have negative health effects in larger doses.
Calories and Fat
Smart Balance Light has 120 calories per 2 tbsp. unpopped or 4 cups popped corn, with three servings per bag. Each serving contains 4.5 g of total fat with 1.5 g of saturated fat, no trans fat, 1.5 g of polyunsaturated fat and 1.5 g of monounsaturated fat. Smart 'n Healthy Deluxe Microwave Popcorn has 120 calories per serving with 2 g of total fat, including 0.5 g monounsaturated fat. Smart Movie Style Popcorn has 170 calories per serving, 11 g total fat, 4 g saturated fat, 3.5 g polyunsaturated fat and 3 g monounsaturated fat.
Cholesterol and Sodium
Smart Balance Light has 290 mg of sodium per serving. Smart 'n Healthy Deluxe Microwave Popcorn has 85 mg of sodium, and Smart Movie Style Popcorn has 420 mg sodium. If you are on a restricted sodium diet of 1,200 mg daily, which most individuals with high cholesterol are, one serving of Smart Balance Light will account for 1/4 of your allowable daily sodium intake while Smart Movie Style Popcorn will account for over 1/3.
Carbohydrates and Protein
Smart Balance Light has 18 g of total carbohydrates with 4 g of dietary fiber, no sugars and 3 g protein. Smart 'n Healthy Deluxe Microwave Popcorn has 24 g of total carbohydrates, 5 g dietary fiber, no sugars and 4 g protein. Smart Movie Style Popcorn has 16 g carbohydrates, 3 g dietary fiber, no sugars and 3 g protein.
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