The problem is that it is usually made with oil, seasoned with a lot of butter and accompanied by soda This is why popcorn has the reputation of being a fattening food. But is it really?

Is popcorn fattening?

Popcorn is made with corn, a whole grain rich in vitamins, minerals, fiber and antioxidants that fight diseases A small portion of the food made in a natural way (i.e. without oil, butter or salt) has only 67.20 calories.

Research suggests that whole grain intake is linked to longer life, less inflammation, and lower risk of heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes, and obesity Three servings of whole grains a day were associated with lower BMI and less abdominal fat.

Check out the main benefits of this food for the body:

• Because it is a source of fibers it improves intestinal transit and contributes to the satiety ;
• It is a good suggestion for pre-workout because it concentrates carbohydrate, which guarantees energy;
• It contains niacin (vitamin B3), which controls the levels of cholesterol in the blood;
• Combat the free radicals In this way, it helps to prevent premature aging and several chronic diseases;
• Vitamin B6, present in popcorn, is a precursor of serotonin This is a hormone linked to well-being.

Read also: Healthy popcorn recipes

So, if the food is low in calories and has so many advantages, why do so many people think that popcorn is fattening?

The problem is the way of preparation

The oil and margarine (or butter) used to pop the product in the pan can increase the calories and bring a high content of saturated fat .

The most suitable oils for the preparation are heart-healthy monounsaturated fats, mainly avocado oil and extra virgin olive oil. This is because oils rich in fatty acids omega-6 - such as corn oil, soybean oil, sunflower oil, safflower oil, and cottonseed oil - tend to be inflammatory.

However, it is possible to make recipes without this ingredient, did you know? microwave popcorn without oil .

Besides, seasoning your snack with butter, cheese, bacon, sugar and industrialized powders increases the amount of calories. The ideal is to bet on natural ingredients, such as paprika e black pepper And don't overdo the salt.

Finally, the serving size also deserves attention. The recommended quantity of popcorn is at most three cups, but it is easy to devour a bag in one sitting - and that could be the equivalent of five slices of bread in quantity of carbohydrates .