Is popcorn bad for you?

By itself, popcorn is a whole grain that provides a fair amount of fiber and some other beneficial nutrients, but popcorn with extra butter and other ingredients may be high in unhealthy fats, which reduces its health benefits.

Popcorn fans aiming for a healthy option might want to consider using plain or light popcorn and adding healthy flavoring to it. Healthy cheeses, for example, can make plain popcorn taste better without adding excessive trans or saturated fats. Another option is to use popcorn as an ingredient in meals. Popcorn mixed with almonds and dried cranberries also makes a tasty and healthy trail mix.