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- Short answer
- Long answer
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Short answer
As long as you pay close attention to portion sizes, SkinnyPop Popcorn is not bad for you. It’s somewhat high in fat, but free of GMOs, gluten, and preservatives.
Recommended Alternative
Letter Grade for SkinnyPop Popcorn
C+
Both beneficial and harmful qualities associated. Things rated a 'C+' are typically a bit more on the beneficial side. Still, moderation is important.
View Full Grading System
Category 'A'
A+
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Side effects are rare. Things rated an 'A+' are typically necessary for survival (for example, water).
A
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. A few harmful qualities may be associated, but only under certain circ*mstances such as an allergic reaction.
A-
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Harmful qualities may be associated, but aren't usually serious.
It is important to note that even the best things in life can become bad in immoderate amounts. So, although something may be rated an 'A+', overconsumption/overdoing can bring unwanted effects.
Category 'B'
B+
Very beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B+' may have a few harmful qualities to pay attention to.
B
Overall beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B' may have some harmful qualities to pay attention to.
B-
More beneficial to your health than not. However, harmful qualities are most likely associated and shouldn't be overlooked.
The main difference between category 'A' and category 'B' is the harmful qualities typically present in 'B' items. Serious side effects are usually uncommon, but are still possible and should be taken note of.
Category 'C'
C+
Both beneficial and harmful qualities associated. Things rated a 'C+' are typically a bit more on the beneficial side. Still, moderation is important.
C
A fairly even ratio of beneficial and harmful qualities. Moderation is important. Very general topics that can lean towards both sides of the spectrum will be placed here as well. Rice, for example, can be good or bad depending on the type.
C-
More harmful than beneficial. Side effects are common, especially when consumed/done excessively. Moderation is very important.
Category 'C' usually denotes to both good and bad qualities. When it comes to this category, it is important to keep this word in mind: moderation.
Category 'D'
D+
Harmful to your health. Although benefits may be associated, the bad most likely outweighs the good. Moderation is very important.
D
Harmful to your health. A few benefits may be associated, but the bad outweighs the good. Moderation is extremely important.
D-
Harmful to your health. Very few, if any, benefits are present. Things in this category should be avoided as much as possible.
Category 'D' is typically for things that are more harmful than beneficial. While consuming/doing something unhealthy once in a blue moon shouldn't hurt, we definitely recommend eliminating 'D' items as a regular part of your routine/diet.
Category 'F'
F
Category 'F' is for things that fail to bring anything beneficial to the table, and are very harmful to your health. We recommend completely avoiding anything in this category. Long-term side effects of 'F' items are usually very serious.
Category 'N'
N
'N' stands for neutral. Things placed into this category are generally (a) neither good nor bad for you, or (b) lack the necessary evidence to reach any conclusions.
Long answer
Judging solely from the name, SkinnyPop Popcorn sounds like a healthy snack. But is it? Or could the self-proclaimed “skinny popcorn” be bad for you?
First, let’s take a look at the label. For a four-cup serving, SkinnyPop Popcorn contains 150 calories, 10 grams of fat, three grams of fiber and two grams of protein. Compared to most snacks, four cups is a huge serving—that’s roughly 28 grams and certainly enough to get you through an entire movie or at least a couple episodes of what you’re currently streaming on Netflix!
Back to the label: SkinnyPop Popcorn also contains a healthy amount of fiber—more than 12 percent of your daily recommended intake. Fiber helps you feel fuller longer, which is an important part of weight management. It also helps regulate your digestive system and prevent constipation. Finally, fiber offers the added benefit of protection against serious diseases such as heart disease, diabetes and even certain types of cancer.
The only thing semi-concerning about SkinnyPop Popcorn’s nutrients is the high fat content. The amount of fat you need each day depends entirely on the quantity of calories you’re consuming. According to the American Heart Association, you'd need somewhere between 36 to 62 grams of fat per day for a 1,600-calorie diet and 44 to 78 grams when consuming up to 2,000 calories a day. On the low-end of that spectrum, one serving of SkinnyPop Popcorn can account for over a quarter of your daily recommended fat intake. Occasionally going over your fats isn’t terrible for you, but if you make it a habit, it can raise cholesterol levels and increase your risk of heart disease, amongst other ailments.
Next, you should consider SkinnyPop’s ingredients. This is something that SkinnyPop takes very seriously as an organization, stating on their official website: “There are no artificial ingredients, flavors or preservatives in our products. We pride ourselves on providing you with a great tasting snack that's free of all those things, including GMOs, MSG, dairy, peanuts, soy, tree nuts and gluten.” The SkinnyPop Popcorn ingredient label confirms this.
In summary, SkinnyPop Popcorn does not appear to be that bad for you—it’s low in calories, contains fiber and is free of GMO, gluten, and preservatives. However, it does have a relatively high fat content, which makes moderation an important element when consuming this snack. The occasional bowl of SkinnyPop Popcorn is a healthier alternative to snacks like chips or cookies - but don’t overdo it.
Possible long-term side effects
- weight gain, obesity
- high cholesterol
- heart disease
Benefits
- low in calories
- contains fiber
- non-gmo
- gluten-free
- preservative-free
Our Wellness Pick (what is this?)
LesserEvil Organic Popcorn
- Himalayan Pink Salt
- Organic & Premium
- Minimally processed
- No vegetable oil
- Convenient snack size
Thank you for your feedback!
View Sources | Written by Rachel Adams
Published on: 11-14-2023
Last updated: 11-30-2023
Thank you for your feedback!
View Sources
Written by Rachel Adams
Published on: 11-14-2023
Last updated: 11-30-2023
