SERIOUSLY THIS IS THE MOST SIMPLE & HEALTHIEST SNACK EVER!
Do you think of popcorn as only a delicious snack for movie theaters and comfy nights at home? Well guess what? There is so many health benefits associated with this air-popped (not the fat-laden type at movie theaters) food that most people never knew about. Some of the health benefits of popcorn include its ability to regulate blood sugar, lower cholesterol levels, improve the digestive process, protect against osteoporosis, prevent cancer, inhibit cognitive decline and help you lose weight. But you need to make sure it is air-popped or microwaved (the homemade type, see recipe below, and NEVER the pre-packaged kind).
Whatever you do, stay away from pre-packaged microwave popcorn!
The reason that popcorn has had such bad press, is probably due to microwave popcorn. While it is certainly convenient, microwave popcorn is a health nightmare. For starters, there’s the artificial butter flavoring and the bags used are often treated in Teflon, officially known as fluorotelomer. The chemicals used in this coating may combine and metabolize to form (PFOA), which may be carcinogenic. So, DO NOT ever eat pre-packaged microwave popcorn, instead make your own healthy snack!
So, let’s make sure and keep the health benefits of popcorn, which include fiber, polyphenolic compounds, antioxidant, vitamin B complex, manganese, and magnesium content. Listed below are how these important nutrients make popcorn a healthy choice for your snacking habits!
Health Benefits Of Popcorn
Digestion: It is important to realize that popcorn is a whole grain and provides about 4 grams of dietary fiber for every 4 cups of popped corn.
Cholesterol Levels: Fiber functions in another beneficial way within the body, and whole grains contain the type of fiber which can strip off excess cholesterol.
Blood Sugar: Another role of fiber is its impact on blood sugar within the body. When the body has ample amounts of fiber, it regulates the release and management of blood sugar and insulin levels.
Cancer Prevention: Researchers have found an amazingly large amount of antioxidant capacity within popcorn. It appears that the hull of popcorn contains large amounts of polyphenolic compounds, one of the more powerful types of antioxidants that you can put in your body.
Weight Loss: A normal cup of popped popcorn contains only 30 calories, which is approximately 5 times less than the same amount of greasy potato chips. Furthermore, the fiber content in popcorn makes you feel full, and inhibits the release of the hunger hormone, ghrelin. This can prevent overeating and keep people who are battling the bulge happy and thin, without making them feel like they aren’t eating enough. Popcorn is also very low in saturated fats, and its natural oils are primarily healthy and essential in the body.
Warning: Popcorn certainly can be a healthy snack, but the vast majority of people put way too much salt, butter, or other toppings that negate much of the positive impact that popcorn can have on the body. Instead, follow this recipe below to gain the health benefits of the popcorn and satisfy your sweet & salty snack needs!
READY . . . . . . Here is the ingredients for Healthy & Delicious Popcorn Snack
INGREDIENTS:
1/4 c. organic popcorn (YES, buy organic, it’s only pennies more, yet keeps the toxins away)
1/2 t. coconut oil (wonderful healthy fat)
1/4 c. dark chocolate chips
dash of salt
DIRECTIONS:
Seriously you can not get any easier than this. Place the popcorn into a brown lunch bag and fold over. Place the bag into the microwave at high level for approximately 1:45 seconds (or listen and once there is no more popping for 3 seconds then stop the microwave). Take the coconut oil and mix into the hot popcorn (I do this right in the brown bag and shake it…….again, so easy!) so it melts then sprinkle with the salt. That’s it, if you just want popcorn, or continue on for the sweet part of this snack!
Optional sweet addition: Place chocolate chips into microwaveable bowl for approximately 45 to 60 seconds until melted. Then drizzle over the pre-popped popcorn.
Preparation Time: 1 minute
Cook Time: approximately 2 minutes
Servings: 2
Let me know of healthy ideas you have for toppings on your popcorn!☺️