Chicago-Based Freelance Writer/Author Avis Yarbrough

Americans eat about 17 billion quarts of popcorn a year. Although, microwave popcorn is a staple in many American households- popping microwave popcorn is the #1 number use for microwave ovens- air popped popcorn is still sold and brought at local grocery stores. This article looks at the pros and cons of air popped popcorn versus microwave popcorn.

Health
As a rule, popcorn is a very healthy snack primarily because it is high in fiber. But is microwave popcorn as healthy as air popped popcorn? No, according to the Popcorn Board, microwave popcorn is almost, always higher in fat than air popped popcorn due to the oil that is added in it. Even if consumers were to buy a low-fat microwave popcorn, the fat content is still relatively high compared to that of air popped popcorn.

The great thing about air popped popcorn is that consumers have more control over the amount of oil, salt, or other spices that will go over their popcorn therefore will be able to control the calories.

Taste
The great thing about microwave popcorn is that it comes in many different flavors-kettle corn, butter, and cheese flavored microwave popcorn, but flavored microwave popcorn usually means more calories.

Consumers can make their own flavored air popped popcorn while still being in control of the calories. There are a couple of cookbooks on the market for just this, three include ” Popcorn Never Tasted like This” “Popcorn Recipe Cookbook” and “Over 100 Delicious Gourmet Popcorn Recipes.”

Preparation Time
Microwave popcorn is easy to prepare for children and adults, put it in the microwave for one or two minutes and then you are done. While air popped popcorn takes between 5 to 10 extra minutes to prepare, which is still not a lot of time, but to some an eternity.

Conclusion

When it comes to popcorn air popcorn wins.  It is healthier for you and with a little extra time and a good cookbook it can be perfect for any popcorn lover.