With the completion of the Oscar Awards, it is now the season of summer blockbuster movies. As we make our way past the movie theater concession stand, many of us will be tempted by the theater’s sweet treats.
According to the consumer group Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), if you drink a large soda, eat a large popcorn with butter and eat half a bag of your M&Ms, you will have consumed nearly 2,400 calories. This is equivalent to eating an entire large pepperoni pizza. Remember, most people only eat around 2,000 calories per day.
If you are thinking about scaling down the size of your popcorn, think again. A small bag of popcorn with butter has 700 calories and three days worth of saturated fat.
According to Sharon Liao, senior health and nutrition editor at Shape magazine, there are healthier choices you can make at the movie concession stand. Here is a list of healthier movie theater treats:
Junior Mints
298 calories, 5 g fat for half a box
The mints are coated in antioxidant-rich dark chocolate
Twizzler strawberry twists
263 calories, 1 g fat for half a bag
Milk Duds
170 calories, 6 g fat for half a box
Milk Duds are lower in sugar and the chewy treats take longer to eat
Hot dog
210 calories, 19 g fat
Hot dogs are packed with protein
Welch’s Fruit Snacks
130 calories, 0 g fat, 23 g sugar
This is a healthier option to Reese’s Pieces which has 1,160 calories, 35 g fat, 122 g sugar
AMC Clip Gummi Stars
175 calories, 0 g fat for half the bag
Gummi Stars are made with real fruit juice
Icee Slush
220 calories, 0 g fat for 16 ounces
Use a spoon versus a straw to enjoy this treat
Small popcorn
225 calories, 6 g fat for half a bag
Skip the butter. Butter adds 17 grams of fat. Also popcorn provides a serving of whole grains
Edy's Strawberry fruit bar
80 calories, 0 g fat
The frozen fruit bar contains chunks of strawberries
Vitaminwater Zero
0 calories, 0 g fat for 20 ounces
Vitaminwater is high in vitamin C and B vitamins and sweetened with stevia
Here are additional slimming tricks to help enjoy your favorite movie munchies.
• Share or split your treat with a friend. Splitting your favorite snack allows you to enjoy your treat without over-indulging
• Select a movie theater with healthy snack options. To meet with consumer demand, Cinemark theaters are offer Skinny Cow low-fat ice cream sandwiches These ice cream treats are only 140 calories and 1 g saturated fat
• Watching a movie at home. You can enjoy more healthier options by eating fresh fruit. This option will save you money and calories
Sources:
http://shine.yahoo.com/event/movienight/the-best-and-worst-movie-theater-snacks-plus-foods-for-movie-night-at-home-2105700
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/WellnessNews/americas-favorite-movie-snacks-thumbs/story?id=9119503
http://fitperez.com/2011-03-07-movie-snacks-that-won%E2%80%99t-kill-your-diet