Act II 94 percent fat free popcorn, available in supermarkets, can be a good choice when you're craving something salty and crunchy, whether you're interested in weight-loss or just in a generally healthy diet. However, this popcorn does have a few drawbacks. With a little information, you can make the best choice for yourself and your health goals.
Ingredients
Act II 94 percent fat free popcorn, like other microwave popcorns, isn't just popcorn kernels. The ingredient list states this product contains, among other things, partially hydrogenated soybean oil, salt, natural and artificial flavor, and artificial colors, including yellow lake 6 and beta carotene. The label also states that the product contains milk, but does not tell you exactly what is in the "natural and artificial flavors." That could be a problem if you suffer from food allergies.
Serving Size
Be careful about serving sizes; according to nutritionist and cookbook author Ellie Krieger, manufacturers sometimes artificially reduce portion sizes in order to make a product seem healthier than it actually is. The listed portion size for Act II 94 percent fat free microwave popcorn is half a bag, according to Livestrong.com MyPlate. If you normally eat more or less than this at one sitting, adjust your calorie counts accordingly.
Calories and Fat
Act II 94 percent popcorn has less fat and fewer calories than other varieties of microwave popcorn. According to Livestrong.com MyPlate, a half-bag serving has 110 calories, 1.5 g of total fat, and .5 g of saturated fat. Compare with with "Old Fashioned Natural" Act II popcorn, which, reports Livestrong.com MyPlate, has 160 calories, 10 g of total fat, and 2 g of saturated fat per 4.5 cup -- about half a bag -- serving.
Other Nutrition Facts
In addition to being lower in fat and calories than other Act II popcorns, Act II 94 percent fat free popcorn provides some important nutrients. A half-bag serving gives you 4 g of fiber, 16 percent of the daily value, according to Livestrong.com MyPlate. Fiber is a dieter's friend, because it helps keep you full, according to MayoClinic.com. Also, this popcorn provides 4 percent of the daily value for iron, according to Livestrong.com MyPlate.
Alternatives
Though Act II 94 percent fat free popcorn may be a good choice, it's not the only one when you want a salty, crunchy snack. Nutritionist Ellie Krieger recommends making air-popped popcorn. Not only are plain popcorn kernels less expensive than bagged microwave popcorn, making your popcorn yourself allows you to control what's in it, so you won't have worry about strange chemicals. Krieger suggests topping your popcorn with herbs, spices, or just a little salt. You might be surprised how good popcorn can taste when you don't drown it in butter.
Member Comments