Are Popcorners a Healthy Snack Option?

4 weeks ago

53 7 minutes read

Did you know that the average American consumes around 16 pounds of snack foods per year?^[1] With snacking being such a huge part of our modern diet, it’s important to make smart choices. One snack that has gained popularity in recent years is Popcorners – but are they actually a healthy option? Let’s take a closer look.

What Are Popcorners?

Popcorners are a unique snack made from popped corn that has been molded into crispy, chip-like triangles. Unlike regular popcorn or potato chips, Popcorners have a distinctive shape and texture that makes them easy to scoop up dips or eat by the handful.

Introduced in 2008 by BFY Brands, Popcorners were created with the goal of providing a “better-for-you” alternative to traditional fried chips and snacks. The company uses a patented air-popping technology that combines heat and pressure to transform whole corn kernels into the signature Popcorners shape.

Today, Popcorners come in a variety of flavors like Sea Salt, White Cheddar, Kettle Corn, and more. They are marketed as a healthier option due to being never fried and made with simple, non-GMO ingredients.

What Are the Ingredients in Popcorners?

The ingredients in Popcorners can vary slightly by flavor, but most varieties contain:

Whole grain corn
Sunflower oil and/or other vegetable oils
Salt
Seasonings/flavorings (cheese, spices, sweeteners, etc.)

For example, the ingredients in the popular White Cheddar flavor are:

Yellow corn
Sunflower oil
Whey
Maltodextrin
Cheddar cheese
Salt
Natural flavors
Citric acid

While the base is made from simple, recognizable ingredients like popped corn and oil, Popcorners do contain some more processed additions like whey protein, maltodextrin (a starch), and natural flavors.

Are There Any Artificial Ingredients in Popcorners?

One of the selling points of Popcorners is that they are made without any artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. The company prides itself on using high-quality, non-GMO ingredients.

However, it’s important to note that “natural flavors” is still a catch-all term that can include hundreds of compounds extracted from natural sources. While not technically “artificial,” these flavor enhancers are highly processed.

Additionally, some Popcorners varieties do contain added sugars like cane sugar (in Kettle Corn) or sweeteners like sucralose (in Drizzled varieties). So while better than bright blue chips, Popcorners aren’t necessarily free of all processed ingredients.

Are Popcorners a Healthy Snack Option?

Now to address the million dollar question – are Popcorners actually healthy? The answer, like with most foods, is: it depends.

What Are the Nutritional Benefits of Popcorners?

Compared to many other salty snacks, Popcorners do have some positive nutritional attributes:

Whole Grains: The main ingredient is popped corn, providing a source of whole grains and fiber.
Lower Fat: With around 4-6g fat per serving, Popcorners are lower in fat than fried potato or tortilla chips.
Lower Sodium: The Sea Salt variety has just 105mg sodium per 28g serving, which is relatively low for a snack food.
Gluten-Free: Popcorners are made from corn and are naturally gluten-free.

The whole grain corn provides some nutrients like B vitamins, magnesium, and antioxidants. And the lower fat and sodium levels make Popcorners a slightly better choice than ultra-processed, high-fat chips.

What Are the Potential Health Risks of Popcorners?

While not the worst snack option, Popcorners do have some potential downsides:

Added Sugars/Sweeteners: Flavors like Kettle Corn and Drizzlecorn contain added cane sugar or artificial sweeteners.
High in Carbs/Calories: A serving of 28g (about 18-22 crisps) contains 19-24g carbs and 120-140 calories, mostly from refined starches.
Easy to Overeat: The light, crispy texture makes it easy to consume multiple servings of Popcorners in one sitting.
Highly Processed: While using simple base ingredients, Popcorners go through an extrusion process to create their unique shape and texture.
Potential Additives: Some varieties contain processed ingredients like whey protein, maltodextrin, and vague “natural flavors.”

So while better than regular potato chips, Popcorners are still a snack food that is relatively high in refined carbs, calories, and potentially concerning additives if overeaten. Moderation is key, as with any snack.

How Do Popcorners Compare to Other Snack Options?

To really evaluate if Popcorners are a healthy choice, it’s helpful to compare their nutrition facts to other common snacks.

How Do Popcorners Compare to Traditional Popcorn?

When it comes to popcorn snacks, traditional air-popped popcorn is one of the healthiest options. A 3-cup serving of air-popped popcorn has:

93 calories
0g fat
3.5g fiber
3g protein
18g carbs

Compared to Popcorners, regular popcorn is lower in calories, higher in fiber, and free of added oils and seasonings. However, Popcorners offer more flavor variety and convenience in a portable, portion-controlled bag.

If looking for the absolute healthiest option, air-popped popcorn wins. But Popcorners can be an acceptable alternative when craving something more indulgent.

How Do Popcorners Compare to Other Chips and Crackers?

Let’s compare the nutrition for one serving of:

Popcorners Sea Salt (28g): 120 calories, 4g fat, 2g protein, 20g carbs, 1g fiber
Lay’s Classic Potato Chips (28g): 160 calories, 10g fat, 2g protein, 15g carbs, 1g fiber
Ritz Crackers (30g): 160 calories, 8g fat, 2g protein, 21g carbs, 1g fiber

As you can see, Popcorners have comparable nutrition to other chips/crackers in terms of calories, fat, protein and carbs. Their higher carb content comes from being made from whole corn rather than just refined starches.

Popcorners do offer a slight edge by being cooked with less oil/fat than regular fried potato chips. But overall, they aren’t drastically healthier than other crispy, salty snacks in the same portion size.

The biggest difference may be in the ingredients – Popcorners use simple corn, oil and salt as a base, while many chips/crackers contain more processed ingredients and artificial additives.

Are There Any Alternatives to Popcorners?

If you enjoy the taste and texture of Popcorners but want an even healthier option, there are some alternative snacks to consider:

What Are Some Healthier Snack Options?

Air-Popped Popcorn: As mentioned, plain air-popped popcorn is one of the healthiest snacks. You can season it yourself with spices, nutritional yeast, etc.
Baked Veggie Chips: Chips made from real vegetables like potatoes, beets, kale or parsnips and baked rather than fried.
Whole Grain Crackers: Look for crackers made from 100% whole grains with minimal ingredients.
Roasted Chickpeas: A crunchy, protein-packed snack you can make at home or buy pre-roasted.
Fresh Veggies and Hummus: Baby carrots, cucumber slices, bell pepper strips and other fresh, fiber-filled dippers.

These snacks provide more nutrients like fiber, protein, vitamins and minerals compared to Popcorners. However, they may not satisfy that exact crispy, salty, corn-based craving.

What Are Some DIY Popcorners Recipes?

If you want to make your own version of Popcorners at home, you can try baking or dehydrating popped popcorn into crispy chip-like shapes. Here are some recipes to experiment with:

Baked Popcorn Chips^[2]: Toss popped popcorn with oil or cooking spray, spices/seasonings, and a little milk or egg white to help it bind. Bake at 300°F for 10-15 minutes.
Dehydrated Popcorn Chips^[3]: Coat popcorn in oil/spices and dehydrate at 135°F for 12-24 hours until dried out and crispy.
Popcorn Crunch Bars^[4]: Mix popcorn with melted chocolate or yogurt, press into a pan and let set for a crispy, sweet treat.

Homemade popcorn chips allow you to control all ingredients and avoid any processed additives. However, they do require some effort compared to just grabbing a bag of Popcorners.

What Are the Best Ways to Incorporate Popcorners into a Healthy Diet?

If you do choose to enjoy Popcorners as an occasional snack, there are some tips to make them a bit healthier:

Watch Portions: Stick to the recommended 28g (around 18-22 crisps) serving to control calories and carb/fat intake.
Choose Simple Flavors: Opt for Sea Salt or lightly flavored varieties to avoid added sugars, sweeteners and excessive sodium.
Pair with Protein/Fiber: Have Popcorners with Greek yogurt, hummus, cheese or nuts to make it a more balanced snack.
Use as a Topping: Crumble Popcorners over salads, soups or yogurt parfaits instead of eating them plain.
Make Your Own: Try making homemade baked or dehydrated popcorn chips with just oil, spices and nutritional yeast.

The key is to be mindful that Popcorners are still a snack food at their core. Enjoy them in moderation as an occasional treat, not an everyday indulgence. Focus on getting plenty of nutrients from whole, minimally-processed foods.

Conclusion

So are Popcorners a healthy snack? The answer isn’t a simple yes or no. While made from some better ingredients than regular chips, they are still a processed food that is relatively high in refined carbs, calories and potentially concerning additives.

Popcorners can be an acceptable snack in moderation, especially the simpler Sea Salt variety. But they shouldn’t be considered a health food or eaten in unlimited quantities. For optimal health, it’s best to focus your diet on nutrient-dense whole foods and enjoy Popcorners only as an occasional indulgence.

Key Takeaways

Popcorners are made from popped corn, oil, salt and seasonings – more simple ingredients than some chips.
They are lower in fat and sodium compared to regular potato chips, but still high in refined carbs and calories.
Popcorners contain some processed ingredients like whey protein, maltodextrin and natural flavors.
Plain air-popped popcorn is a healthier snack option overall compared to Popcorners.
In moderation, Popcorners can be an okay snack, but shouldn’t be considered a health food.
Focus on whole, minimally-processed foods and enjoy Popcorners as an occasional treat.

FAQs

Are Popcorners gluten-free?

Yes, Popcorners are made from corn and do not contain any gluten-containing ingredients, making them suitable for those following a gluten-free diet.

Are Popcorners vegan?

Most Popcorners flavors are vegan-friendly, as they do not contain any dairy-based ingredients. However, some varieties like White Cheddar do contain dairy-derived whey and cheese, so those would not be considered vegan.

How many calories are in Popcorners?

The calorie content varies slightly by flavor, but most Popcorners varieties contain 120-140 calories per 28g (18-22 crisp) serving.

Are Popcorners a keto-friendly snack?

No, Popcorners would not be considered keto-friendly due to their relatively high carb content from the popped corn base. One serving contains around 20g of carbs.

Are Popcorners healthier than potato chips?

Popcorners are generally lower in fat and calories compared to regular fried potato chips. However, they are still a processed snack food relatively high in refined carbs. Portion control is important with both snacks.

The information in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your diet or lifestyle.