Popcorn is greater than only a enjoyable snack for film nights. When ready merely with none added salt and fats, it’s a healthful whole-grain snack. A weight loss program wealthy in entire grains can scale back levels of cholesterol in your blood and your danger of coronary heart illness.
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The fiber in entire grains also can assist hold you full and contains nutritional vitamins and minerals like vitamin B6, magnesium, iron and zinc. Three cups of air-popped corn present about 100 energy, virtually 4 grams of fiber and eight% of your every day magnesium wants.
With all that stated, not all popcorn preparations and toppings are created equal. Drowning your popped kernels in plenty of butter, salt or synthetic flavorings may find yourself sabotaging your efforts to maintain issues healthful.
The best choice? Air popping your popcorn in a pot on the stovetop or in an air-popper machine. Season it with herbs, spices, dietary yeast or different seasonings that do not add sodium or fats. For those who purchase air-popped popcorn, test the label as oil or salt could have been added.
Air-popped popcorn is enjoyable to eat straight from the bowl, and it is also a key ingredient in immediately’s recipe for Path Combine Popcorn Bars.
Candy and slightly bit salty, these snack bars embody rolled oats, almonds, dried cherries and mini chocolate chips. They’re straightforward to make and could remind you of a chewy granola bar. Eat them on the go or serve them as an after-school snack.
Bethany Thayer is a registered dietitian nutritionist with Henry Ford Well being System. For extra recipes and well being data, go to henryford.com/blog and for questions on immediately’s recipe electronic mail HenryFordLiveWell@hfhs.org.
Path Combine Popcorn Snack Bars
Makes: 16 bars / Prep time: half-hour / Whole time: half-hour plus cooling time
6 cups air-popped popcorn, crushed
2 cups rolled oats
½ cup chopped almonds, unsalted
1 cup dried cherries
½ cup mini chocolate chips
1 tablespoon cinnamon
¾ cup honey
¾ cup brown sugar
¼ teaspoon salt
Line a 9 -by-13-inch baking dish with parchment paper.
In a big bowl, combine collectively the popcorn, oats, almonds, cherries, chocolate chips and cinnamon.
In a small pot over medium-high warmth, mix the honey, brown sugar and salt. Cook dinner till the brown sugar dissolves, about 2-3 minutes, stirring ceaselessly to keep away from burning.
Let the combination come to a low boil for 1-2 minutes, stirring continually. Take away the pot from warmth and pour honey combination over popcorn combination. Use a rubber spatula to stir till dry elements are nicely coated.
Switch the combination to the ready baking dish. Use wax paper to press the combination into the baking dish into a fair layer. Let cool for about one hour, then reduce into 16 bars.
From Henry Ford LiveWell.
217 energy (19% from fats), 5 grams fats (1.5 grams sat. fats, 0 grams trans fats), 44 grams carbohydrates, 3 grams protein, 40 mg sodium, 0 mg ldl cholesterol, 224 mg calcium, 3 grams fiber. Meals exchanges: 3½ starch, ½ fruit, 1 fats.
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