Movie Theater Munchies

Concept
Do you believe that going to a movie is not complete without a bucket of popcorn (or candy) and a soda? While most people are aware that these snacks are a far cry from healthy, it does not stop them from indulging while at the theater. Even for those who try to steer clear of the treats, it often seems impossible to pass by the tempting concession stands and NOT fall victim to the alluring popcorn, chocolate bars, and sodas. The following nutrition bite provides some perspective on what exactly is in that "tub of popcorn" and some healthy tips for when the movie munchies hit.

Nutritional Facts and Figures
Movie theater snacks are notorious for being unhealthy. However, most people are unaware of just how calorie and fat ridden movie theater treats are. The following is a list of the calories and fat in some popular concession stand sweets.



Let's put the above calories into perspective:
If you consume a large popcorn (without added butter) and a 32oz regular soda, you are consuming the same number of calories as any of the following:

-8 Krispy Kreme doughnuts
-3 double cheeseburgers from Burger King
-3 large orders of French fries from McDonald's
-24 medium size whole eggs

If an average sized adult consumed an entire box of M&M's and a 32oz soda, he would have to run 7 miles to burn off all the calories!

While consuming any of the snacks offered may not be so bad if only a small portion is eaten, many people consume more than a single serving, which is defined as 2cups of popcorn or about 1oz of candy. In fact, for some it is rare that a single kernel is left in the bucket or that an M&M remains in the box! This phenomenon is in line with the results of recent research. Studies show that regardless of ones hunger level, if one purchases food in a large container he is likely to consume more than if he gets the same food in a smaller container.

Given the unhealthy selection of snacks and gigantic portions, how can you "get your movie candy and eat it too?"

Follow these tips on preventing movie munchies overload:
*Don't fall for the old combo deal- the pennies you save are not worth the inches you gain on your waistline!
*Always order the smallest sizes (a kid size is your best option)
*Share everything with a friend
*Don't go to the theater starving (your eyes are always bigger than your stomach when you are hungry so you will be more likely to purchase the larger size- which will cause you to overeat)
*Opt for water or diet soda over regular soda or other calorie containing beverages
*Choose a non-fat candy (such as gummy bears, Dots, or Twizzlers) over chocolate candy options, which are often much higher in saturated fat.

Best Option: Bring Your Own Snacks!
*Air-popped popcorn sprinkled with Tabasco sauce, chili powder, cumin, or other seasoning
*Low-fat microwave popcorn (A good brand is Orville Redenbacher's 94% smart pop- 5oz "mini bag")
*Dry Cereal
*Baked tortilla chips or potato chips
*Nuts
*Low-fat granola
*TLC Kashi Crackers
*If you cannot resist having some chocolate, buy a regular sized candy bar (A 1.5oz Peppermint patty or a Milky Way Lite Bar, which both contain only 170 calories and are relatively low in saturated fat, are good options).

Alyse's Advice
While going to the movie theater is a very enjoyable pastime, indulging on movie theater popcorn and candy can pack on the pounds faster than you may think. To prevent yourself from gaining inches on your waistline, sneak in your own healthier snacks and steer clear of the concession stands. If you are too tempted to resist the buttery popcorn, opt for the smallest size, without added butter, split it with a friend and only have diet soda or water to drink. As for the candy assortment, choose from the non-chocolate choices that are lower in saturated fat (albeit NOT in calories) and share with a friend.

Los Angeles nutritionist Alyse Levine MS, RD, founder of NutritionBite. Visit her profile on LIVESTRONG.COM.

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