Calories at the Concession Stand

Calories at the Concession Stand

In our increasingly health-conscious society, the enemy may be lurking in places previous not considered, the cheerful and inviting concession stand of your local theatre, to name one. For many, the tradition of popcorn and a soda while at the movies is almost as important as the movie itself. The evening won't be the same without those time-honored snacks. However, in a study done by the Center for Science in the Public Interest, theatre popcorn has enough fat and butter to sabotage the most diligent counter of calories. When major theater chains were compared, there were only slight differences in health effects in the preparation and serving of that big barrel or equally big, expensive bag of popcorn.

Regal theaters' large 20-cup tub of popcorn has 1200 calories, 980 mg. sodium, and 60 grams of saturated fat. The additional topping adds another 130 cal. per tablespoon. And of course, there are free refills on this big boy. Consuming this treat will use up three fourths of a day's calories for most people. Even the small 11-cup size has 670 calories, 550 mg sodium 24 grams of fat. Because the theater chain uses coconut oil, 90% of which is saturated fat, your arteries are going to groan at dealing with three days' worth of fat in one sitting. AMC theaters are the healthiest in this regard, offering a small 6-cup serving of popcorn that is only 370 calories and 20 grams of saturated fat.

Because Cinemark theaters uses canola oil in their popcorn-making, the saturated fats in a 17-cup serving are only 4 grams. However, that's where the good news ends. There will still be 910 calories waiting for you and a huge 1500 mg of sodium. Now your blood pressure will be heading up the charts. These theaters also use real butter for their add-on toppings. The choice becomes, do you prefer clogged arteries or high blood pressure or both with all those weight-gain producing calories you are about to consume.

There are a couple of things you can do to avoid this health hazard when you go to the movies. Two out of three theaters said that they would be willing to pop your popcorn without salt if you requested that. That's better. Or you could be really strong and avoid the concession stand altogether. Enjoy the movie for its sake alone and have a healthy dessert that is lower in calories when you get home. Not only will this be good for your heart and weight control, it will also ease some strain on your pocketbook.