Is Popcorn High In Carbohydrates?

Popcorn is not particularly high in any one nutrient, but does supply a moderate amount of carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are macronutrients and should represent a greater portion of your total caloric intake than other nutrient. Carbohydrates supply energy to cells, fuel central nervous system function, promote the breakdown of fat and prevent protein breakdown. Most adults require about 225 to 325 g of carbohydrates each day, according to MayoClinic.com.

Total Carbohydrates

A 1-cup serving of generic air-popped popcorn contains 6.23 g of total carbohydrates. According to the Food and Nutrition Board of the Institute of Medicine, carbohydrates should account for 45 to 65 percent of the adult diet. A 2,500-calorie diet should consist of 1,125 to 1,625 calories, or 281 to 406 g of carbohydrates. A 1-cup serving of popcorn provides about 3 percent of the typical adult's minimum carbohydrate needs.

Starch

Starch accounts for the greatest percentage of carbohydrates in popcorn. Starch is a plant polysaccharide, or a carbohydrate composed of three or more sugar molecules. Dietary starch is termed a "complex carbohydrate" and is composed of hundreds of glucose molecules. A 1-cup serving of popcorn contains 4.35 g of dietary starch.

Fiber

Popcorn contains a low-to-moderate amount of dietary fiber. Fiber is another plant polysaccharide with a similar chemical structure as starch. Fiber can only be found in plant foods, and has a positive effect on blood cholesterol and glucose levels when consumed in the diet. Fiber also improves digestive health and can protect against colon cancer. A 1-cup serving of popcorn contains 1.2 g of dietary fiber. The IOM recommends that adult men and women consume 38 and 26 g of fiber each day, respectively.

Sugars

Sugars are simple carbohydrates, consisting of just one or two saccharide molecules joined together. These simple carbohydrates provide an immediate impact on blood glucose levels, supplying a quick source of energy. A 1-cup serving of popcorn contains just 0.07 g of total sugars. The majority of the sugar in popcorn exists in the form of sucrose, a disaccharide composed of the monosaccharides glucose and fructose.