Are you someone who loves popcorn as snacking rather than chips or cookies? If so, chances are you’ve indulged in a bag of Pop Secret popcorn at some point or maybe looking to.
Pop Secret popcorn is a popular brand of microwaveable popcorn that has been a go-to snack for many popcorn lovers.
It is made from whole-grain popcorn, palm oil, and salt and comes in a range of flavors.
And while it is known for its fluffy texture and delicious taste, is Pop Secret popcorn healthy?
Short answer: Pop Secret popcorn is not very healthy for you as it is low in protein and fiber and contain palm oil. However, it can still be consumed in moderation.
Read on to find out more about Pop Secret popcorn including it’s ingredients, protein, fiber, sodium content, and more.
I’ll even compare Pop Secret side by side with other popular popcorn to see how it stacks up.
So let’s start.
Also read: Is Lesser Evil Popcorn Healthy? Here Is The Answer
What are the ingredients in Pop Secret popcorn?
At the time of writing this post, Pop Secret popcorn is available in three varieties: Buttery flavor, Kernels archives, and Sweet ‘n Crunchy.
The Buttery flavor variety comes in seven flavors, while Kernel archives and Sweet ‘n Crunchy come in one and three flavors, respectively.
So, the exact ingredients in Pop Secret popcorn vary depending on the flavor you choose.
In general, Pop Secret popcorn is made up of whole grain popcorn(non-GMO), palm oil, salt, and natural flavors as the most common and basic ingredients.
However, the Kernel archive variety contains only one ingredient, which is popping popcorn. It is perfect for those who prefer a more natural and unflavored snack.
The Sweet ‘n Crunchy varieties contain extra ingredients such as artificial flavors, and sucralose for sweetness. It’s good option for those who want to enjoy the sweet flavored popcorn without any added sugar.
The ingredients in Pop Secret popcorn are relatively simple and most flavors don’t contain any major red flags.
However, it’s important to note that some flavors( Sweet ‘n Crunchy Caramel) contain additional ingredients like artificial flavors and colors.
How much protein is in Pop Secret popcorn?
Pop Secret popcorn contains anywhere between 1 to 3g of protein per serving(2 Tbsp). The majority of the flavors contain 2g of protein.
The Kernel variety and 94% Fat Free Butter flavor have the highest protein with 3g per serving.
I wouldn’t consider this as a good amount of protein.
Still, it can be a good option for those looking to add some variety to their snack choices.
Here is how Pop Secret protein content stacks up against other popcorn.
| Popcorn | Protein(g) |
|---|---|
| Pop Secret | 1-3 |
| Skinny pop (popped) | 2-3 |
| Boom Chicka pop (Ready to eat) | 1-2 |
| Smartfood | 1-4 |
| Lesser evil | 2 |
How much fiber is in Pop Secret popcorn?
Pop Secret popcorn contains anywhere between 1 to 5g of fiber per serving(2 Tbsp). The majority of the flavors contain 2g of fiber.
The Buttery flavors variety contains 2g of fiber and the Sweet ‘n Crunchy variety contains 1 to 2g of fiber.
The kernel variety contains the highest fiber with 5g per serving.
If you’re looking for a high-protein and high-fiber option, the Pop Secret Kernel variety is your best bet. However, you will need to compromise on flavor, as this variety is not flavored and can be quite bland.
Here is how Pop Secret fiber content stacks up against other popcorn.
| Popcorn | Fiber(g) |
|---|---|
| Pop Secret | 1-5 |
| Skinny pop (popped) | 2-3 |
| Boom Chicka pop (Ready to eat) | 1-3 |
| Smartfood | 1-3 |
| Lesser evil | 4 |
How much sodium is in Pop Secret popcorn?
The sodium content in Pop Secret popcorn varies significantly depending on the variety or flavor you opt for.
The Buttery flavors variety of Pop Secret popcorn has moderate sodium levels(270-290mg per serving), while the Kernel variety has no sodium at all.
Furthermore, the Sweet ‘n Crunchy variety contains about 75 to 80mg of sodium per serving. It is considered low and great for those looking to limit sodium intake.
Sodium is an important part of diet, however too much can result in heart-related issues.
If you are limiting sodium in your diet, it’s best to consume the Pop Secret popcorn Buttery flavors in limit.
Here is how Pop Secret sodium content stacks up against other popcorn.
| Popcorn | Sodium(mg) |
|---|---|
| Pop Secret (Buttery flavor) | 270-290 |
| Pop Secret (Sweet ‘n Crunchy) | 75-80 |
| Skinny pop (popped) | 75-240 |
| Boom Chicka pop (Ready to eat) | 90-190 |
| Smartfood | 110-240 |
| Lesser evil | 140-230 |
Is Pop Secret popcorn good for weight loss?
Pop Secret popcorn is not the best food for weight loss as it has a couple of high-calorie ingredients like palm oil and butter.
However, overall it is relatively low in calories with 100-170 per serving, depending on the flavor. Therefore, it can be consumed in moderation.
Note that calories can add up quickly, especially when you’re not paying attention to portion sizes.
Remember that weight loss does not depend only on one food but on your overall diet and lifestyle.
Is Pop Secret popcorn keto? Pop Secret popcorn is not suitable for keto as it contains more than 10g of net carbs per serving.
Is Pop Secret popcorn good for diabetics? Pop Secret popcorn is good for diabetics as it does not contain any sugar and is also low in calories. In addition, the Sweet ‘n Crunchy variety uses sucralose instead of sugar which is considered safe for diabetics.
Does Pop Secret popcorn contain artificial colors?
Only the Sweet ‘n Crunchy caramel flavor of the Pop Secret popcorn contains artificial colors.
It contains colors like yellow 5, yellow 6, and Blue 2.
While all these colors have been deemed safe by food authorities, they are associated with various health risks.
For example, colors like Yellow 5, and Yellow 6 are contaminated with carcinogens like benzidine and p-Cresidine[1].
On the other hand, color like Blue 2 is known to cause hypersensitivity reactions(especially in children) and is not safe for human consumption[2].
Moreover, artificial colors have also been linked to allergic reactions such as hives, rashes, swelling, and skin reactions[3].
In my opinion, the Sweet ‘n Crunchy caramel flavor of Pop Secret popcorn is an unhealthy one and should be avoided.
Is Pop Secret popcorn gluten-free?
Pop Secret popcorn does not include any ingredients that contain gluten, making it a gluten-free option.
So, if you have celiac disease or gluten intolerance, you can consume Pop Secret popcorn without any issues.
Is Pop Secret popcorn vegan?
Pop Secret popcorn is not vegan as it contains milk.
While the ingredients label doesn’t contain any milk-based ingredients directly, the natural flavors used in the popcorn likely contain milk.
Final words
Pop Secret popcorn is not very healthy as it is low in protein and fiber and contain palm oil (a highly processed oil).
However, it can still be a good snacking option as long as consumed in moderation.
With its variety of flavors, ranging from buttery to sweet ‘n crunchy, Pop Secret popcorn can satisfy your cravings.
Moreover, the Pop Secret kernel and Sweet ‘ Crunchy variety are low in sodium making them ideal for low sodium diet. However, the buttery flavor is moderate in sodium and may not be the best choice for those with high blood pressure.
Lastly, try to avoid the flavor that contain artificial colors.
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