Lots of parents and kiddos I see in my practice are pleasantly surprised to hear this! We often associate popcorn with the movies and what comes to mind is the super salty & greasy popcorn you get at the concession stand—-what is that butter-flavored stuff that they squirt on the popcorn anyway?

Popcorn is high in fiber (a nutrient that many of us are missing in our diets) and, because it is made from the entire corn kernel, it’s a whole grain.

What’s the big deal about whole grains?

Foods that contain whole grains, such as whole grain bread, brown rice & old fashioned oatmeal are made with the whole kernel which contains lots of good nutrition (like B vitamins) that is missed when grains are “polished”. Ideally, half our daily grains will come from whole grains. Make getting your daily fiber delicious by prepping a batch of popcorn for snacking.

Make your own popcorn on the stove top or use an air-popper so that you can be in charge of the flavorings and butter. Microwave popcorn has potentially harmful additives, so avoid it when possible.

To pop your own popcorn (the old fashioned way) put 3 tbsp canola oil & 3 corn kernels in a large pan. Place the pan on medium-high heat and wait for the kernels to pop. Take the pan off the heat, add 1/2 c. popcorn kernels, cover the pan and put pan back on the burner. Wait for the popping to start and gently shake the pan every few seconds so that the popcorn doesn’t burn. When there are 2-3 seconds between pops the popcorn is done.

*Nostalgia Alert*– my mom used to pop a big pot of popcorn for me and my 4 siblings on Friday nights. We’d sit in front of the TV on a red & white checked table cloth and sip our 1 cup of Coke while munching and watching Brady Bunch!

Drizzle your popcorn with olive oil, salt & black pepper or drizzle with peanut butter that has been melted with butter or try butter & parmesan cheese. Or keep it traditional by adding butter & salt.

Let me know if you come up with any other flavor combinations!

Reach out at Karen@CoastalFamilyNutrition.com or call the office at 603-674-2479.

Snack Idea: Popcorn (any way) & apple slices

Please feel free to share this with someone who may like to learn more about feeding kiddos!