See how snacking on popcorn can help you shed pounds.
Looking to Drop 10 Pounds Fast? Why You Should Try the Innovative Popcorn Diet
Dieters will be glad to hear this news: The popular ’80s Popcorn Diet — made famous by songbird Madonna — is back!
And it’s simple. To follow the plan, all you have to do is eat popcorn instead of any other snacks or even use it to replace one of your daily meals. There are no strict rules about how much popcorn you can have or what time of day to eat it, but instead of picking up that gooey dessert, box of cookies or bag of chips, simply munch on popcorn instead!
Madonna made the popcorn diet famous in the 1980s.
A serving of popcorn is one cup of popped kernels without salt or butter. Air-popped is best, to avoid the extra calories in oil. You can flavor the popcorn with spices such as nutmeg, cinnamon or any salt-free seasoning. Eat your first daily snack 20 minutes before lunch, the second 20 minutes before dinner and the third whenever you’re hungry.
Be sure to drink at least eight ounces of water with your pre-meal snack. The fibrous kernels absorb water and make you feel full. "Plain air-popped kernels are a healthy, whole grain, antioxidant-rich snack food that comes at a pretty low-calorie cost for those who like to mindlessly nibble,” nutritionist Lisa Drayer wrote for CNN. “A three-cup serving of air-popped popcorn has only 93 calories, one gram of fat and close to four grams of fiber."
You can flavor the popcorn with spices such as nutmeg, cinnamon or any salt-free seasoning.
Popcorn kernels are nutritional powerhouses containing more polyphenols, or healthy antioxidant compounds, than fruits and vegetables! At only 30 calories per cup, popcorn won’t interfere with your weight loss goals, making it a safe treat for any time of the day or night.
Of all the options out there, popcorn is near the top of the list for a healthy snack: It’s a whole grain, is high in fiber and low in calories. A one ounce serving (about 3 1/2 cups) has four grams of fiber, almost four grams of protein and clocks in at 110 calories. This combination makes it a snack with staying power.
Popcorn is high in fiber and low in calories.
However, popcorn can’t meet all of your nutritional needs by itself. You’ll need to combine it with a healthy diet full of fresh fruits and vegetables, chicken and lean meat — but instead of suffering through those starving moments, you’ll be stuffing your face with a delicious treat!
If you don’t have an air popper, you can simply add four tablespoons popcorn kernels to a brown paper lunch bag, fold over the edge of the bag twice to close it and microwave the bag on high for one to two minutes — or however long it takes for there to be about ten seconds of silence after you hear the last “pop." After air-popped, microwave popcorn is a good second choice.
Popcorn can’t meet all of your nutritional needs by itself.
While you’re on the popcorn diet, avoid sugar, butter, ketchup and alcohol. Drink as much water and unsweetened, decaffeinated beverages as you’d like, and remember to exercise daily.
Anyone who suffers from diabetes or has any condition with food restrictions should consult their physician before going on this or any other new food plan.