As a whole-grain, high-fiber, low-calorie food, popcorn should be the ideal snack (viaAmerican Heart Association). But, not all types of popcorn are created equal. The taste of microwave popcorn can come at a high nutritional cost, according to Erika Fox,, a registered dietitian nutritionist at 310 Nutrition. She toldEat This, Not That that “many brands often load their products with additives, artificial ingredients, extremely processed oils, a lot of salt, and more.” Fox pointed out that the saturated fat content of many microwave popcorns can be a particular cause for concern, with some brands containing over a quarter of your daily recommended intake in a small serving. And remember, the bag size is not the serving size most of the time!
Certain options, like Jolly Time’s The Big Cheez and Pop Secret’s Double Butter Popcorn, can contain endless lists of additional ingredients, high levels of saturated fat. and a ton of sodium per serving. Double Butter Popcorn, somewhat perplexingly contains no fiber whatsoever (via Eat This, Not That). As Fox explained, “When it comes to [buying the healthiest] microwave popcorn, my recommendation is to find one with minimal ingredients.” That’ll keep the emphasis on the good stuff.