Movie Theater Popcorn Calories and Macros
If youre wondering how many calories are in movie theater popcorn, the answer depends on the theater you go to and the size of your order. A medium-sized popcorn from AMC movie theater holds 7 cups of popcorn and has about 600 calories.
The calories in movie theater popcorn can vary quite a bit, though. Butter-free popcorn from AMC ranges from 300 calories for a small order to 1,090 calories for a refillable tub, per AMC Theatres.
The carbs in movie theater popcorn also vary. You can get anywhere between 41 and 148 grams of carbs from movie theater popcorn.
Because AMC popcorn is popped in canola oil, its usually high in fat, even if you skip the butter. Youll get anywhere between 13 grams of fat (in a small) and 48 grams of fat in a refillable tub.
Movie theater popcorn also has some protein. In a small, youll get 7 grams of protein, while a refillable tub has 25 grams.
What makes a good keto movie snack?
Before we get into the actual snacks, it is important to know what makes a good keto movie snack. The key to successfully staying in ketosis is to eat low-carb or no-carb foods. Therefore, you will be consuming more foods that are rich in fat and protein. These keto-friendly foods will help keep you full and often help cravings subside.
Now you may be thinking, “What fat and protein-rich foods could possibly be convenient enough to pack for the movies?”
Our favorite keto-friendly movie snacks include:
The best way to make sure you are eating the right foods for the ketogenic diet is to make them yourself at home! These keto movie snack recipes are quick and painless to make and are super easy to bring along to the theater with you!
Keto zucchini chips are a great substitution for potato chips or popcorn, and they are so easy to make. Simply slice up a zucchini and bake it in the oven for a few minutes. Season them with salt and pepper for a savory option or cinnamon if you prefer sweet and spicy!
Keto cookies are another great option for a homemade low-carb movie snack, especially for that sweet tooth! Most keto cookies have minimal ingredients and take just minutes to whip up. If you are in a rush, there are some great keto cookies to be found at the store as well!
One of our favorite recipes is by Ditch the Carbs, and you can find it here.
Fat bombs have become very popular in the world of keto. There are many ways to make a fat bomb or “fat ball”, but one of our favorites is the Cinnamon Maca Bite. All of the ingredients are natural and there are no artificial sweeteners!
Making jerky at home is so fun and so tasty! For the best results, use 100% grass-fed beef, and dont be afraid to get creative with your spice blend. These are amazing snacks to make for hiking and backpacking trips as well. Just make sure you skip any additions of sugar or honey to keep the carb count down.
Heres a keto beef jerky recipe to get you started.
Chocolate? On keto? I know, it may be hard to believe, but theres a reason chocolate is so often full of sugar — its pretty bitter on its own! If you love coffee and dark chocolate, making homemade coffee chocolate bark will give you that perfect blend of bitterness for your next movie night.
Try this awesome recipe from Desserts With Benefits.
At only 1.5g net carbs per 25 gummies, I think its safe to say that Gnom Gnom has nailed this keto gummy bear recipe. They are chewy, sour, and absolutely delicious. If you dont have the gummy bear mold, you can always make squares — either way they will be delicious and keto-friendly.
Meal prepping is one of the best ways to help you stay in ketosis, but with a busy schedule (like most of us have) there is not always time to make snacks at home. When youre in a pinch for time or always on-the-go, these ready-to-eat snacks are perfect. Toss em in your bag and go!
Jerky has always been a go-to snack for those on the ketogenic diet; however, not all jerky should be treated the same. Many have added sugars, colors, and unnecessary fillers. Chomps have none of the above.
Made with 100% grass-fed and finished beef and venison, or free-range antibiotic-free turkey, each stick has 9-10g of protein and is 100 calories or under.
And they are easy to throw in your bag or car to bring along as a low-carb movie snack!
Pork rinds are a must-have in your keto-kitchen. They can be used as a breadcrumb or crouton substitute, or just snacked on alone.
They are a great “crunchy” low-carb movie snack perfect for the ketogenic diet; however, make sure to read the label before purchasing since many brands season their rinds with MSG.
Mixed nuts and seeds are a great keto movie snack because they have that crunch we love to enjoy while watching a film. In spite of that, it is important to stick to low-carb options like pecans, macadamia, and hemp seeds.
Although tasty, try to avoid cashews and pistachios since these have a higher net carb content than other varieties of nuts and seeds.
I was a bit skeptical of fish chips when I first heard of them, but I have to say theyve completely won me over. Companies like Good Fish take wild alaskan salmon skins and fry them to perfection with non-GMO flavors. Their products are low-carb and keto-friendly, and theyre super easy to take to the movies.
Meat in its natural state doesnt have any gluten, which makes pepperoni, salami, dried chorizo, and other dried sausage products perfect for movie snacking. Whether youre at home or at the theater, its easy to put a couple in a ziplock bag and voilà! Delicious, salty, and filling low-carb goodness.
Cacao nibs are made from crushed cocoa beans and are naturally low in carbs. The Navitas organic cacao nibs have 3g of net carbs for every 3 tablespoons of nibs — which is quite a few nibs!
So while you cant eat 100 of these in one sitting, they are keto-friendly enough to snack on — if youre reasonable.
Our advice? Portion out your snacking instead of filling a big bag. That way when youre done, you know exactly how much youve had.
While the question of “is popcorn keto” can be debated, most would agree that movie theatre popcorn, specifically, is not keto-friendly because it is loaded with carbs, sodium, calories, sugar, and other additives.
One ounce of unbuttered, white popcorn has 21.8 carbs[*]. And lets be honest, how many of us are able to eat just an ounce of popcorn once we start.
High carb counts are only the beginning, too. Researchers found movie theater popcorn offerings range from 400 to 1,200 calories, with one to three days worth of saturated fat (which is considered an unhealthy fat) and up to 1,500 milligrams of sodium[*].
That is a serious amount of extra! Regal was the biggest culprit, and thats not counting the carb-loaded drinks and candies that usually accompany the popcorn.
So whats the short answer to having movie theater popcorn on keto? Heck no.
FAQ
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