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New Study Confirms Popcorn Contains High Levels of Antioxidants

Leta Shy — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 13:03:25 PDT

When you're in the mood for a crunchy snack, based on a recent study, you may want to reach for popcorn. This new study found that popcorn contains high levels of disease-fighting antioxidants - higher concentrations than those found in certain fruits and vegetables.

Researchers found that popcorn contains disease-fighting polyphenols in the center, or the hull, of popped kernels. This latest study, funded in part by a popcorn company, confirms older reports that popcorn (along with other whole grains) contains high levels of antioxidants; popcorn, in fact, has the highest levels of polyphenols when compared to other snack foods.

The study may give you reasons to snack on popcorn, but it's not reason to go overboard. For one, the researchers of the study aren't completely sure whether or not the the human digestive system is capable of absorbing the antioxidants found in popcorn. Not only that, but you should be careful with the type of popcorn you eat; the amount of fat and calories in movie theater popcorn, for example, outweigh any of the possible small disease-fighting benefits from the popcorn.

In any case, popcorn is already known as a good low-calorie snacking option when done right. That doesn't mean you should substitute a bowl of popcorn for fruits and vegetables (you'll be missing out on key vitamins and nutrients if you do), but if you're in the mood for a crunchy snack, here's how to make popcorn to keep it healthy and satisfying.

Source: Flickr User cyclonebill

Healthy Nibbles For Holiday Snacking

Heather Dale — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 10:51:37 PST

It's inevitable that the snack table is one of the most popular socializing zones in the house during the holiday season. Due to their close proximity to the television, treat-filled coffee tables are prime targets for unconscious nibbling - and who doesn't like snacking while watching a sporting event or a favorite Christmas movie? This year, try removing the bowls of candies and chocolates and replacing them with healthier snack options. Here are some of my favorites that are just as tasty, and your guests won't even know the difference!

To Make Wine Explode, Pair It With Popcorn

Susannah Chen — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 03:42:55 PDT

Popcorn may not be the first food pairing that comes to mind when drinking wine, but Master Sommelier Andrea Robinson thinks it's time to change that.

"Popcorn is great with wine," said Robinson, who discovered the pairing when she was first starting out at New York's International Wine Center.

"I went into the kitchen to microwave some popcorn, and there was a free bottle of Lindemans Bin 65 Chardonnay. It was my first 'Aha!' wine pairing moment." Here are some of Robinson's favorite wine-and-popcorn flavor combinations.

Thyme popcorn or pesto popcorn with Napa Cabernet. Pesto will bring out the Cabernet's cedar notes, and is a great meat-free bridge to big red wines.
Wasabi popcorn + Riesling. The wine counterbalances wasabi's heat.
Paprika or hickory with Pinot Noir. Smoky elements complement the spice notes in a Pinot.
Aged gouda popcorn with barrel-fermented Chardonnay. "Eating aged gouda with barrel-fermented Chardonnay is like eating unsweetened crème brûlée!"

Have you ever tried eating popcorn alongside a glass of vino?

Source: Flickr User Mike Miley

Guess the Calorie Count of These Popular Movie Snacks

Heather Dale — Sat, 12 Mar 2011 04:00:36 PST

Going to the movies is all fun and games until someone goes a little overboard at the concession counter! Unfortunately, you're not going to find many healthy alternatives at the movie theater, so you just have to be wise about what you do order (and don't go for the extra large popcorn if you really only need a small size!). Wondering what snacks will leave your body in a tizzy from their high-calorie count? Take this quiz to find out!

Source: Flickr User The Wandering Eye

Take the Quiz

How to Make Award-Worthy Oscars Popcorn

Michele Foley — Sat, 26 Feb 2011 07:52:30 PST

This Sunday I'll be celebrating the Academy Awards in style at an Oscars party. Besides a large spread of food, my friend is supplying each guest with a bag of popcorn - it's the perfect snack for celebrating the film industry. And if you can skip the butter bath, it's also an ideal healthy snack because it's low-calorie, high in antioxidants, low-fat, and filling.

Since my friend's Oscar party leans closer to a fancy affair, she's glamming up her popcorn with creative toppings like a sprinkle of pepper and Parmesan cheese. But before even thinking about what goes on top, make sure you make it the old-fashioned way: on the stove with a little canola oil. It tastes better, is healthier for you, and doesn't contain all the junk found in store-bought microwave popcorn. If you're worried about calories, try our fat-free popcorn or use an air popper.

For a glammed up event like an Oscars party, I like sprinkling healthy toppings like nutritional yeast or seaweed onto my popcorn, or dried spices like rosemary, garlic, and cayenne. If that doesn't sound good to you check out YumSugar's popcorn recipe roundup. How do you like to dress up your popcorn?

Source: Flickr user ThomasLife

Do You Own a Popcorn Maker?

Susannah Chen — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 05:32:35 PST

With awards shows like the Golden Globes and the Oscars just around the corner, I'm trying to catch up on all the big blockbusters I've missed this year. Watching all those movies (and consequently eating all that popcorn at home) makes me really want to purchase a popcorn maker, but I simply can't bring myself to buy another single-use appliance. Do you own one?

Source: Flickr User veggiefrog

12 Days of Edible Gifts: Chocolate Caramel Popcorn With Macadamia Nuts

Lauren Hendrickson — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 16:15:56 PST

With its caramel popcorn and nuts drizzled in chocolate, Harry & David Moose Munch is one of the most addictive holiday treats. Rather than order a bunch of bags to hand out this year, I decided to make my own!

Since there is a perfect state for the sugar, making caramel can be difficult; I totally botched my first batch! It didn't get me down, and I gave it another try. Be sure the caramel has your undivided attention, and that the pot is centered on the burner. If you can find someone to help out with the process, it will make it even easier to deal with molten caramel.

Once you've mastered the technique for caramel, the rest is a piece of cake. I used a little bit of olive oil and the lunch paper bag method to simply pop the popcorn. Then to complete this sweet treat, microwave quality chocolate chips and drizzle over the caramel popcorn and macadamia nuts. Ready to munch your very own chocolate caramel popcorn? Keep reading.

Butter vs. Cheddar vs. Caramel Popcorn

Michele Bell — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 15:00:07 PST

If you haven't seen them yet, you must not be looking too hard - the triple flavored popcorn tins are already popping up at shopping malls, pharmacies, and grocery stores just in time for the gorge holiday season. Growing up, they were always a big holiday hit in my house. My grandma ate the cheddar, my mom ate the buttered, and I gobbled up the caramel. Now it seems the cycle has shifted as I'm drawn to the buttered, my daughter to the caramel, and my mom to the cheese. Now if they were all equally healthy, I wouldn't care much who ate what. Since they're not, I'm paying more attention and figuring out which one is better for trimming fat while I trim the tree.

Want to see how the three flavors stack up against each other?

Yum's December Must Haves

YumSugar — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 12:00:35 PST

It's the most wonderful time of the year: the holiday season! Between edible gift making, Christmas cookie baking, and cocktail party hosting, we've got an incredibly busy 31 days ahead of us. However, that doesn't mean we won't treat ourselves and our loved ones to some culinary decadence. Of course, we're happy to share our foodie obsessions with you! Here are our must haves for December.

Would You Rather Eat Caramel Apples or Popcorn Balls?

YumSugar — Sun, 31 Oct 2010 01:30:32 PDT

Visions of candy corn and Reese's Pieces may be dancing in your head this Halloween, but let's not forget some of the ghoulish holiday's other popular sweet treats: gooey caramel apples and salty-sweet popcorn balls. Which do you prefer?

Source: Flickr Users neil conway and kozumel