ACT popcorn is manufactured by ConAgra Foods, and it claims to offer popcorn that has the same look and taste as popcorn that you might find in a movie theater. Most ACT popcorn comes in microwaveable packets, although the company also offers pre-made popcorn balls for sale in some locations. The dominant flavoring for the popcorn is butter flavor, but some special flavor offerings include a buttery kettle corn and buttery cinnamon. The bags also include salt and preservatives in keeping with the movie theater taste promise, notes ACT II.
Serving Size
Finding the right serving size for your snacks and treats is important, but ACT popcorn doesn't make it easy. According to MyFitnessPal, serving sizes for the popcorn vary by flavor, and they are measured by caloric content and volume. For the 100-calorie mini bags of butter popcorn, the serving size is one bag, while the regular butter popcorn serving size is 2 cups. To find the most accurate information for the flavor and size of ACT popcorn that you usually eat, read the side panel label when you do your meal planning.
Fiber
Popcorn makes an excellent snack because it contains fiber, according to ACT II. MyFitnessPal notes that each 2-cup serving of ACT II popcorn contains 3 g of dietary fiber. A full size bag of ACT II popcorn contains 4 to 5 cups of popcorn, or a little more than 6 g of fiber.
Sodium
ACT II popcorn contains sodium to mimic the movie theater salting process. According to MyFitnessPal, each 2-cup serving contains 360 mg of sodium. A full bag of ACT popcorn contains almost 1,000 mg of sodium.
Diacetyl
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that many butter flavored popcorns contain diacetyl, a chemical ingredient in the buttery taste. Diacetyl is associated with a condition known as "popcorn lung," an obstructive lung disease that is irreversible. While ConAgra Foods maintains that diacetyl is a safe component of food, the company has removed diacetyl from all of its ACT II Popcorn products.
Considerations
ACT II's website notes that popcorn can be a more healthful snacking alternative than other foods because the high volume and low-caloric density of popped corn makes you feel full longer. In meal and snack planning, you may thus find popcorn useful as a tool to keep you away from sugary foods and fight off food cravings or hunger pangs.
Member Comments