onedef92
07-20-2011, 11:50am
Movie theater popcorn: You'll laugh! You'll cry! You'll get fat!
Updated 07/21/2011 11:56 AM
Here's some news that may send moviegoers reeling: Theater popcorn is often loaded with calories and artery-clogging saturated fat, according to a recent analysis.
A large-sized popcorn at Regal theaters has 20 cups of popcorn, 1,200 calories and 60 grams of saturated fat. "It's still the Godzilla of snacks," says
Jayne Hurley, the nutritionist with the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) who spearheaded the analysis. The consumer group first reported on the high calorie and fat content in movie theater popcorn in 1994.
You can eat more than half a day's calories and three days' worth of saturated fat in one large popcorn, she says.
Hurley and colleagues bought different sizes from three large chains, Regal Entertainment Group, AMC Entertainment and Cinemark, and sent samples to a lab for analysis. They report findings in the December issue of CSPI's Nutrition Action Healthletter.
A large popcorn at AMC has 16 cups, 1,030 calories and 57 grams of saturated fat. A large from Cinemark: 17 cups and 910 calories, 4 grams of saturated fat.
"Cinemark gives you the best you can expect in movie popcorn, because the company uses non-hydrogenated canola oil, which is low in saturated fat," Hurley says. Popcorn from both Regal and AMC is higher in saturated fat because the chains use coconut oil, which is 90% saturated, she says. "It's is the worst possible oil."
The National Association of Theatre Owners said in a statement that theater management reacts to "consumer choice." After CSPI released a similar study in 1994, "many cinema operators responded by offering patrons additional choices, such as air-popped popcorn. After very little time, movie patrons in droves made their voices heard – they wanted the traditional popcorn back. Many of our patrons enjoy the traditional taste and aroma of theater popcorn," the group says.
Cinemark spokesman James Meredith said in a statement that the chain has used "heart-healthy canola oil" since CSPI conducted its first study, and the company test markets low-fat snacks, but popcorn, soda and candy are patrons' favorites.
"Moviegoers do not go to the concession stand to fulfill their daily nutritional requirements. It is an occasional treat and part of the movie experience," Meredith says.
Updated 07/21/2011 11:56 AM
Here's some news that may send moviegoers reeling: Theater popcorn is often loaded with calories and artery-clogging saturated fat, according to a recent analysis.
A large-sized popcorn at Regal theaters has 20 cups of popcorn, 1,200 calories and 60 grams of saturated fat. "It's still the Godzilla of snacks," says
Jayne Hurley, the nutritionist with the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) who spearheaded the analysis. The consumer group first reported on the high calorie and fat content in movie theater popcorn in 1994.
You can eat more than half a day's calories and three days' worth of saturated fat in one large popcorn, she says.
Hurley and colleagues bought different sizes from three large chains, Regal Entertainment Group, AMC Entertainment and Cinemark, and sent samples to a lab for analysis. They report findings in the December issue of CSPI's Nutrition Action Healthletter.
A large popcorn at AMC has 16 cups, 1,030 calories and 57 grams of saturated fat. A large from Cinemark: 17 cups and 910 calories, 4 grams of saturated fat.
"Cinemark gives you the best you can expect in movie popcorn, because the company uses non-hydrogenated canola oil, which is low in saturated fat," Hurley says. Popcorn from both Regal and AMC is higher in saturated fat because the chains use coconut oil, which is 90% saturated, she says. "It's is the worst possible oil."
The National Association of Theatre Owners said in a statement that theater management reacts to "consumer choice." After CSPI released a similar study in 1994, "many cinema operators responded by offering patrons additional choices, such as air-popped popcorn. After very little time, movie patrons in droves made their voices heard – they wanted the traditional popcorn back. Many of our patrons enjoy the traditional taste and aroma of theater popcorn," the group says.
Cinemark spokesman James Meredith said in a statement that the chain has used "heart-healthy canola oil" since CSPI conducted its first study, and the company test markets low-fat snacks, but popcorn, soda and candy are patrons' favorites.
"Moviegoers do not go to the concession stand to fulfill their daily nutritional requirements. It is an occasional treat and part of the movie experience," Meredith says.