Crunchy and satisfying, popcorn is one of the most popular snacks for people of all ages.
The average American munches on 43 quarts of popcorn per year. With a relatively low-calorie count (31 calories per cup of air-popped popcorn), it’s been a favorite of folks who are looking to lose weight. In fact, air-popped popcorn actually ranks as a zero point food on WeightWatchers.
As a dietitian, I’ve always promoted popcorn as a healthy snack thanks to its status as a whole grain. As long as it’s not coated in chocolate, caramel or rivers of butter, it’s generally considered to be a low-calorie snack that fits into most everyone’s diet. But popcorn is gaining popularity for one thing I never considered it to be: a keto-friendly snack.
Popcorn nutrition facts
Let’s take a deep dive into popcorn nutrition. As a whole grain, popcorn would be categorized as a carbohydrate food. It certainly is, but when you analyze it more closely, it’s lower in carbohydrate than you might guess. (Note that the calories and carbs will be higher for kettle corn or popcorn with any kind of drizzle.)
According to the USDA’s Nutrient Database, here’s the breakdown for 1 cup of air-popped popcorn:
- Calories: 31
- Carbohydrates: 6 grams
- Fiber: 1.2 grams
- Protein: 1 grams
- Fat: 0.36 grams
Is popcorn keto?
The goal of a keto diet is to put the body into a state of ketosis so that it burns fat instead of carbohydrates as fuel. To get to this state, carbohydrates, which usually make up 40 to 60 percent of the American diet, need to be severely restricted. People who follow a keto-style diet generally need to limit carbohydrate intake to 5 percent or less of their total calories.
For example, on a 2000-calorie diet, only 25 grams can come from carbohydrate. The remaining calories would come from fat (60 to 80 percent) and protein (15 to 25 percent). So, in theory you could enjoy a substantial 4 cups of popcorn (half a bag of microwave popcorn) a day while keeping to a keto lifestyle.
According to the Keto Project, an organization that verifies keto foods, a food must have 5 or less grams of net carbohydrate per serving to qualify as keto. Net carbs are calculated by taking the total grams of carbohydrate in a food and subtracting the amount of fiber. In this case, popcorn contains 6 grams of carbs per 1 cup serving and 1.2 grams of fiber, bringing the net carbs per serving to 4.8 grams. Yes friends, popcorn is indeed a keto food.
Other keto-friendly snacks
The market for keto foods is huge and expected to grow to 15 billion by 2027. There is no shortage of packaged keto diet products on the market, ranging from granola bars to pancake mix to tortillas. Other smart snack picks that work with a keto diet include the following:
Keep in mind that while all the foods above fit into a low-carb, high-fat keto diet, you won’t see results on this diet unless you stick with it overall. And for the best outcome, it’s smart to pair any eating plan with regular exercise. If you’re not sure if a keto diet is right for you, talk to your physician or registered dietitian.
Frances Largeman-Roth, RDN
Frances Largeman-Roth, RDN, is a New York Times bestselling author and nationally recognized health expert. Frances has been a guest on several TV shows, including the Today Show, Good Morning America, Access Hollywood Live and CNN. She contributes to many publications, including Today.com, Parade, and Well+Good and is a sought-after spokesperson for brands in the wellness space. Frances is a mom of three and loves helping families stay healthy with her fun approach to eating well. She is the author of numerous books, including Eating in Color and the upcoming, Everyday Snack Tray. Follow her on Instagram and get her wellness content and recipes at www.FrancesLargemanRoth.com.
FAQs
From the popcorn nutrition facts above, you probably already got your answer. Generally, eating popcorn is not recommended for those observing a keto diet. It's a starchy food that contains carbohydrates, with one cup of air-popped popcorn containing about 6.2 grams of net carbs.
Is popcorn a good low-carb snack? ›
“It's going to fill you up, it's not high on the carb count and it has a little bit of fiber.” The key is not to go overboard — 1 cup of air-popped popcorn has only 6 grams of carbs, but if you eat 3 cups, that's 18 grams and likely more than half of your daily carbs.
How much popcorn can I eat on keto? ›
A typical serving of air-popped popcorn is 3 cups (24 grams) and contains 4 grams of fiber and 18 grams of carbs — or 14 grams of net carbs ( 7 ). Popcorn can easily fit into a keto diet with a daily limit of 50 grams of net carbs and can even be included in more restrictive versions of the keto diet.
How much popcorn can I eat on a diet? ›
How much popcorn can I eat? To avoid overeating popcorn, you should decide on your serving size before you start eating. An appropriate serving size is approximately 2 cups of popcorn, which is measured after popping.
How many net carbs are in 2 cups of popcorn? ›
Popcorn, home popped, popped in fat (2 cup) contains 12.4g total carbs, 10.1g net carbs, 9.8g fat, 2.1g protein, and 142 calories.
Can I eat movie popcorn on a low-carb diet? ›
Corn is a whole grain, after all. Carb-rich foods aren't necessarily bad for you. Even on a low-carb diet, you can enjoy a few handfuls of popcorn without going overboard.
What is the most filling low-carb food? ›
36 tasty, low-carb foods that will keep you full and satisfied
- Avocado. A whole avocado has about 15 grams of carbs, but you're unlikely to eat the entire thing in one sitting, so it's more realistic that you'll get 4 or 5 carbs in one meal or snack. ...
- Broccoli. ...
- Coconut oil. ...
- Eggplant. ...
- Eggs. ...
- Grapefruit. ...
- Greek yogurt. ...
- Green beans.
As far as how many carbohydrates to eat, Pratt says 100 to 150 grams of carbohydrates is safe for most people who are trying to lose weight. It may be better for some people to eat carbs consistently throughout the day. “You can also break it up evenly with 40 to 50 grams of carbs per meal,” she says.
Does popcorn spike blood sugar? ›
Popcorn is a great snack option for people with diabetes. It's high in fiber, low in calories, and depending on the portion size you eat, it won't cause your blood sugar levels to spike. It can also be quite filling, making it a good option to help you feel more full between meals.
Will I lose weight if I only eat popcorn? ›
Because of its low calorie content, low energy density, high fiber content and increased satiety, eating popcorn may help you eat fewer calories and lose weight. However, moderation is key. Even though it is much more filling than many other snack foods, it can still be fattening if you eat too much of it.
Popcorn is a whole grain and a good source of fiber. And 3 cups of plain, air-popped popcorn weighs in at only about 95 calories. For the healthiest results, pop your corn in an air popper or in the microwave.
Can you eat popcorn at night on a diet? ›
Feder revealed that air-popped popcorn, Greek yogurt, and cottage cheese are the best snack options to go for when it comes to weight loss and snacking late into the night.
What popcorn has the lowest carbs? ›
Air-popped popcorn would be the best choice, as it is lower in carbohydrates as well as calories, Palinski-Wade says. “However, since grams of fat are not a concern on a keto diet, added oil or butter would still allow this snack to be keto-friendly,” she adds.
Is popcorn a good carb or bad carb? ›
Popcorn is high in fiber and protein. It's also a good source of carbohydrates and dietary fiber. It's loaded with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and phytochemicals.
Can I eat corn on a low-carb diet? ›
You may choose to avoid corn on any low-carb diet, given its higher carb content. That said, it's possible to fit in a very small portion of fresh corn, such as a tablespoon or two, in low-carb diets such as keto, Keatley points out.
Is popcorn an unhealthy carb? ›
Health benefits of eating popcorn
Popcorn is high in fiber and protein. It's also a good source of carbohydrates and dietary fiber. It's loaded with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and phytochemicals.
What snack foods have no carbs? ›
Zero Carb Snacks:
- Cheese: A savory and satisfying snack, cheese is low in carbs and high in flavor. ...
- Hard-Boiled Eggs: Packed with protein and virtually carb-free, hard-boiled eggs make for a portable and nutritious snack. ...
- Pork Rinds: Crispy and carb-free, pork rinds are a savory alternative to traditional snacks.
A bag of BBQ pork rinds is zero carb — plus you get 5 grams of total fat per serving. Tasty, crunchy, and absolutely no guilt — mix it all together and it makes for a great snack food.
