Popcorn Is Keto-Friendly Unless You Make This One Mistake (2024)

And actually really healthy.

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Popcorn Is Keto-Friendly Unless You Make This One Mistake (1)Medically reviewed by

Popcorn Is Keto-Friendly Unless You Make This One Mistake (2)

IF YOU’VE RECENTLY embarked on the ketogenic diet, you might be struggling to find the ideal snack. After all, you don’t want to lose out on all your favorite foods, like your movie theater favorite, popcorn. Is this salty, crunchy classic considered keto-friendly?

Most of your traditional snack options—like chips, crackers, and fruits—include too many of the keto-killing carbohydrates.The keto diet involves eating a small amount of carbs in an effort to lose weight by pushing the body into a process called ketosis. Our bodies burn carbs as our first-line fuel source. When carb intake is restricted, the body turns quickly to its second option: fat.

The strategy has seen success since its beginnings as a treatment option for epilepsy in the 1920s. The only issue is, to maintain a state of ketosis, you need to be intaking only around 25 grams, or less, of carbohydrates per day. The specific cutoff is different for everyone, but regardless, it's a small amount of carbs. For reference, there’s 45 grams of carbs in a single cup of rice. To adhere to that extreme restriction (to which there’s lots of conversation about), you need the right snack tools in your arsenal.

We know just as well as you do that there’s nothing like posting up with a tub of popcorn. Corn in itself is considered pretty carb-heavy. But, believe it or not, popcorn isn’t that high in carbs: One cup of air-popped popcorn has 6 grams of carbs, and 1 gram of fiber, for a total of 5 grams of net carbs, says Natalie Rizzo, M.S, R.D. Unless you’re eating some kind of wacky sugary caramel-coated popcorn, that’s not too bad.

But still, popcorn is, by nature of its source, a carb-heavy snack. So what to do?

Is Popcorn Keto?

Because 5 grams of net carbs is pretty low, popcorn can definitely fit into a keto diet, says Rizzo. “It’s a healthy whole-grain snack that is low in carbs,” she says.

Plus, it has nutritious carbs and fiber, which contribute to energy production and digestion, so you’re getting in some nice sources of fiber to promote gut health and keep you regular—something that is actually of concern to those on keto due to the lack of naturally high fiber sources.

What's a Good Keto Popcorn Recipe?

Now, if you go ahead and drizzle your popcorn with chocolate syrup, caramel sauce, or another high-sugar topping, then your popcorn, though now more delicious, is likely not keto.

To bump up the fats (and flavor) in your popcorn snack: "Pair a cup of air popped popcorn with nuts and top with cinnamon and salt to make a trail mix. Or drizzle 1 cup of air popped popcorn with nut butter,” says Rizzo.

Popcorn Is Keto-Friendly Unless You Make This One Mistake (3)

Popcorn Is Keto-Friendly Unless You Make This One Mistake (4)

Medically reviewed byErin Kenney, R.D

Erin Kenney is a Registered Dietitian, personal trainer, and CEO of Nutrition Rewired, a virtual private practice where she helps individuals achieve optimal levels of health and human performance. She takes a holistic approach and helps clients address health concerns from a root cause perspective. She works with athletes, CEO's, fortune 100 companies, and everyday individuals looking to achieve optimal health.

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Popcorn Is Keto-Friendly Unless You Make This One Mistake (2024)

FAQs

Popcorn Is Keto-Friendly Unless You Make This One Mistake? ›

Now, if you go ahead and drizzle your popcorn with chocolate syrup, caramel sauce, or another high-sugar topping, then your popcorn, though now more delicious, is likely not keto.

Is it OK to eat popcorn on keto diet? ›

Net carbs are calculated by taking the total grams of carbohydrate in a food and subtracting the amount of fiber. In this case, popcorn contains 6 grams of carbs per 1 cup serving and 1.2 grams of fiber, bringing the net carbs per serving to 4.8 grams. Yes friends, popcorn is indeed a keto food.

Will movie theater popcorn kick me out of ketosis? ›

While the question of "is popcorn keto" can be debated, most would agree that popcorn as a movie theater snack, specifically, is not keto-friendly because it is loaded with carbs, sodium, calories, sugar, and other additives. One ounce of oil popped, white popcorn has 16.22 carbs.

What microwave popcorn is keto-friendly? ›

To make microwave popcorn more keto-friendly, look for brands that use healthier fats like coconut oil or butter. Some specialty brands offer low-carb, high-fibre options that cater to keto requirements. Remember to check the nutrition labels for serving sizes and net carbs to make an informed choice.

What popcorn is lowest in carbs? ›

Air-popped popcorn would be the best choice, as it is lower in carbohydrates as well as calories, Palinski-Wade says. “However, since grams of fat are not a concern on a keto diet, added oil or butter would still allow this snack to be keto-friendly,” she adds.

Is skinny pop popcorn OK on keto? ›

Skinny Pop has 7g of net carbs per small bag, making it pretty keto-friendly. So while it is lower in popcorn carbs,it's still best to substitute Skinny Pop for lower-carb snack options like beef jerky sticks, cucumbers, hard-boiled eggs, and nuts.

Does popcorn spike blood sugar? ›

Popcorn offers people with diabetes a low-sugar, low-calorie snack option. It will not increase a person's blood sugar levels by a significant amount, making it a safe choice between meals.

Is peanut butter keto-friendly? ›

Peanut butter can definitely be part of a keto diet, but it's best to stick to plain options that are free of extra flavors and sweeteners. Almond butter is a good choice, too, and it's slightly lower in carbs. Additionally, you should be mindful of your portion size if you're trying to lose weight.

How many carbs are in 1 cup of buttered popcorn? ›

Popcorn With Butter (1 cup, popped) contains 5.7g total carbs, 4.7g net carbs, 6.6g fat, 0.9g protein, and 83 calories.

Can you use butter on keto? ›

Butter is perfect for your keto lifestyle, as it's carb-free and about 80% fat ( 21 ). Though it was long considered a menace to heart health, current research indicates that there is only a small or neutral association between butter intake and heart disease and stroke risk ( 22 ).

How many carbs a day on keto? ›

The ketogenic diet typically reduces total carbohydrate intake to less than 50 grams a day—less than the amount found in a medium plain bagel—and can be as low as 20 grams a day. Generally, popular ketogenic resources suggest an average of 70-80% fat from total daily calories, 5-10% carbohydrate, and 10-20% protein.

Is dark chocolate keto? ›

To summarise, yes, dark chocolate can indeed be enjoyed as part of a keto diet, provided it's high in cocoa content (over 70% is ideal) and low in sugar. It's a delightful way to satisfy those sweet cravings while adhering to your dietary plan. The key, as with many indulgences, lies in moderation.

What is a good substitute for popcorn? ›

A good popcorn alternative should be high in fiber and protein while being low in added sugars and unhealthy fats. Snacks like roasted nuts or chickpeas can be a great option, offering the crunch and flavor with added nutritional benefits.

Can I eat popcorn on a no carb diet? ›

Because 5 grams of net carbs is pretty low, popcorn can definitely fit into a keto diet, says Rizzo. “It's a healthy whole-grain snack that is low in carbs,” she says.

Can you eat popcorn on the Golo diet? ›

Homemade popcorn contains plenty of fiber, vitamins, and minerals. It's acceptable to eat on GOLO. If you don't want to add butter or salt to your popcorn, you can add cinnamon, chili powder, or Parmesan cheese for some extra flavor.

How many cups of popcorn can I have on keto? ›

A typical serving of air-popped popcorn is 3 cups (24 grams) and contains 4 grams of fiber and 18 grams of carbs — or 14 grams of net carbs ( 7 ). Popcorn can easily fit into a keto diet with a daily limit of 50 grams of net carbs and can even be included in more restrictive versions of the keto diet.

What is the healthiest popcorn to eat? ›

The 10 Best Healthy Popcorn Brands of 2022, According to...
  • Bjorn Qorn.
  • Pipcorn Truffle Mini Popcorn.
  • Newman's Own Organic Touch of Butter.
  • Whole Foods 365 Organic Yellow Popcorn Kernels.
  • Trader Joes Organic Popcorn With Olive Oil.
  • Anthony's Organic Yellow Popcorn Kernels.
  • How to Choose a Healthy Popcorn.
Sep 27, 2022

Is popcorn a bad carb snack? ›

Nutritious popcorn is a great snack option for people following a low-carb diet because it doesn't contain a lot of carbohydrates. It's a healthy snack because it contains no fat, cholesterol, sodium, or added sugars.

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