Watching a movie on the big screen with a popcorn and coke can be a moviegoer's favorite tradition. As popcorn portions grow and added butter, salt and fat increase, movie theater popcorn has turned into something of a horror show. Eating only a medium-sized movie theater popcorn is the equivalent of consuming three large burgers topped with 12 servings of butter, according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest.
Calories
While the calories found in movie theater popcorn can vary from theater to theater, the general calorie count can still equal half of your recommended daily calorie values. When the Center for Science in the Public Interest studied the caloric values in a tub of large movie theater popcorn, results included tubs that had 1,200, 1,030 and 910 calories. For a person on a 2,000-calorie diet, eating this much popcorn can equal half your daily recommended calorie intake. Although theaters may report slightly lower values in their nutrition facts, be aware the theaters may be leaving out added tablespoons of buttery flavoring, which can add 130 calories per serving.
Fat
Between the oils used to cook the popcorn and added butter, the nutritional value of movie theater popcorn can be laden with saturated fat. This fat can stay in your bloodstream and clog your arteries, restricting blood flow and leading to high blood pressure and heart disease. One tub of movie theater popcorn can contain 116 g of fat, according to Fit Sugar, a health and wellness educational website. Saturated fats -- the especially "bad" kind of fats -- can top 60 g in a large popcorn.
Expert Insight
In response to movie theater popcorn nutritional studies, theaters emphasize their popcorn is meant as a rare treat -- not a frequent snack, as the average American attends six movies a year, according to the movie theater chain Regal Cinemas in a statement issued to the Los Angeles Times.
Reforms
Movie theaters had previously used cooking oils like coconut oil that are high in saturated fats to pop their popcorn. However, many theaters have made the transition to healthier cooking oils to improve the nutritional value of theater popcorn. Examples include cooking with canola oil, which contains heart-healthy fatty acids. Although using canola oil has helped to reduce the overall fat content of movie theater popcorn, added butter or oily, butter-like toppings still can make saturated fat a factor.
Solution
If movie popcorn is too much a part of your movie routine, practice portion control. Up to 20 cups of popcorn are in one large popcorn tub. Instead, order the smallest size and trash at least half of it before you get to the theater to cut down on calories. Refrain from adding butter or extra shakes of salt and seasoning to further reduce calories. Alternatively, wait until after the movie, and reward yourself with a healthier snack then.
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