Most of us are so used to consuming popcorn that we usually don’t give it much thought when buying a bucket at the cinema or making them at home. Family movie nights or hangouts with friends are always better with buckets or bowls of warm, crispy popcorn.
However, if you are looking for popcorn-friendly diets, you will be happy to hear that you can include popcorn in your nutritional regime.
The reason? Popcorn contains plenty of nutrients and can be beneficial for your health if appropriately prepared.
Popcorn is a whole grain food and a low-calorie snack rich in several essential nutrients that help boost heart health and reduce inflammation. Popcorn contains no cholesterol. It is low in sugar and fat and high in fiber. Popcorn also contains vitamins and minerals such as:
- Iron
- Potassium
- Phosphorus
- Zink
- Magnesium
- Coper
- Vitamin B1
- Vitamin B3
- Vitamin B6
So, if you are a popcorn lover looking for a specific diet regime, here are the top seven popcorn-friendly diets.
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Vegan Popcorn Diet
When prepared in an air popper, popcorn can be a highly nutritious vegan snack. To boost its nutritional value, you can add one to two teaspoons of nutritional yeast flakes.
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Plant-Based Popcorn Diets
Even if you are not a vegan, you may want to reach for a plant-based nutritional regime. Then, add some cinnamon, maple, or nutmeg to add flavor.
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Gluten-Free Popcorn Diet
Popcorn is a gluten-free food suitable for people sensitive to gluten. Add a pinch of sea salt or two teaspoons of organic coconut oil to intensify the flavor.
However, some people can react to specific proteins in corn, so be mindful of that.
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Keto Popcorn Diet
The ketogenic diet involves dramatically reducing your daily intake of carbs and replacing them with fat. Since a typical serving of air-popped popcorn of three cups has only 90 calories and 14 grams of net carbs, you can include it in your keto diet (even in the more restrictive version of it). However, you may want to consider limiting other foods rich in carbs in this case.
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Oil-Based Popcorn Diet
Popping popcorn in oil is an excellent way to get a healthy portion of fat. So, use organic coconut, avocado, walnut, or extra virgin olive oil to control hunger.
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Protein Popcorn Diet
To prevent hunger and feel fuller for a longer time, combine popcorn with protein. Top your popcorn with a tablespoon of almond paste or peanut butter, an ounce of shredded cheese, or another source of protein.
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Spiced Popcorn Diet
Spicy foods boost metabolism and cause you to burn more calories. Consider topping your air-popped popcorn with a tablespoon of chili flakes and black pepper if you like spicy food.
