Movie Theater Cuisine: So Good, But So Very, Very Bad
April 24, 2008 by Liberty Kontranowski
Filed under A Mother's Wisdom, Food and Drink, Health, Nutrition, Snacking, Your Body
Image details: Scooping Popcorn served by picapp.com
I stumbled across an article today in the current issue of Men’s Health, and it pert near brought me to tears. Why so? Because they gave a no holds barred rundown of movie theater goodies – admittedly the reason I even attend movies sometimes – and let me tell you, it ain’t pretty.
Yes, I realize you already knew that movie theater fare doesn’t qualify as health food. But I bet you unless you’ve made a conscious effort to research this sort of thing, you’ll be astounded by the calorie and fat content of these delectable delights.
What’s more, the article also pings us with the news that it’s not possible to pay attention to both a movie and to how much we eat at the same time, so we end up taking in many extra calories that way. And serving sizes? Just an open invitation to gorge.
So, what’s the good, er, bad word, exactly? Take a look (but just remember – I warned you!):
Medium Popcorn
Calories: 825
Fat Grams: 46 (34 of which are trans fat)
Carbs: 94 g
The good news is, there is a ton of fiber in popcorn. 17 g to be exact. There’s also a decent 15 g of protein.
Large Nachos with Cheese
Calories: 1,101
Fat Grams: 54 (40 g trans fat)
Carbs: 133 g
Hot Dog
Calories: 300
Fat Grams: 18 (9 g trans fat)
Carbs: 25 g
Soft Pretzel
Calories: 483
Fat Grams: 4 (3 grams trans fat)
Carbs: 99 g
Pretzels do pack 12 grams of protein and 2 grams of fiber, however.
And finally, the beloved Medium Coke with Ice:
Calories: 385
Sugar: 100 g!
Can’t resist a Coke at movies? Check out the effects Coke has on your body and maybe next time you’ll be ordering up a water.
***
So, great news, hey? Considering popcorn is the primary reason I’m easily talked into taking the kids to a flick, this is just ever so depressing.
What about you? Will knowing this keep you from heading to the movies more often? Or will you still go, but bypass the concession stand? Let us know in the comments below.
I discovered one “healthy” movie snack – the big ol’ movie theatre pickle! It has virtually no calories.
Interesting about the fiber in popcorn. No wonder I always get stomach aches from that stuff. And yet I still eat it. But I’ve never been known for my keen sense of logic!
Leave it to Men’s Health to ruin our fun.
Truth be told, I love Men’s Health and I’ve been a subscriber for years. One recurring theme in their magazine is that it’s good for the mind and soul to be a little “bad” once or twice a month. It won’t ruin your progress made from eating healthy and it will give you something of a treat to look forward to. So having that popcorn at the movies occasionally can’t be ALL bad. 
I’m not much of a movie-goer, with or without kids. However, the only thing I usually get is the popcorn. Yes, the oil and sodium aren’t good for me, but I ‘justify’ it to myself by considering the amount of fiber in it.
The best small appliance I ever made was a hot air popcorn popper. Aside from being loud, it makes popcorn in a snap. Popcorn is a great snack, even without salt and butter. For a little bit of flavor, adding a spritz of butter is nice.
Is that popcorn number with “buttery topping,” or without “buttery topping”?
Monica, Oh GREAT idea! I LOVE pickles. But come to think of it, I don’t think my theater has them.
I guess I’ll just have to keep on enjoying that fiber-filled popcorn, eh? Oh how truly, truly sad.
Joey, that is so true. Men’s Health is a big proponent of “shocking” the body every so often, which in theory sounds great. It’s just that darn willpower thing (or lack of it) that turns “every so often” into “pretty darn often”.
You know Troy, I’ve been wanting to invest in a hot air popper for ages. Maybe now that I hear you sing its praises, I’ll finally spring for one. Thanks for weighing in.
P.S. Spray butter is a close runner-up to the best invention ever made, IMO. Love that stuff!
Christian, according to the article, it was popcorn without any extra butter or salt.
Anyone remember the movie adds where movie watchers were snacking on hard boiled eggs? That’s just wrong on every level. I’m a die hard popcorn fan when I’m watching movies. I get by all of the fat by popping my own and taking it in with me (yes, it’s nice to be a woman and carry a big bag!). Then, I just order a bottle of water and I’m set. I’ll refrain from the pickle comment for now.