3 Reasons to Change your Popcorn Snack: It’s Not Just about the Carbs
I’ll just say it – I’m not a big fan of popcorn. I never understood the taste of chomping on something so bland and the “additives” of what makes popcorn more interesting did not go in the direction of health.
We know popcorn is a high carbohydrate snack but there are a few other things about eating popcorn you may not be aware of.
- Microwave popcorn contains the chemical PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid, also known as C8), used in the lining of microwave popcorn bags. It is thought that PFOA are part of a class of compounds that are linked to increased risk of mesothelioma, diabetes and kidney disease. POFA is also used to make Teflon and other stick-resistant materials such as pizza boxes. Companies have promised to take out PFOA by 2015 under a voluntarily Environmental Protection Agency plan, but many bags of popcorn will be sold between now and then.
- Most flavored popcorns contain the artificial flavoring diacetyl (DA), which is a chemical made synthetically that gives many foods the buttery flavor and aroma. A study at the University of Minnesota found that DA could intensify the damaging effects of an abnormal brain protein linked to Alzheimer’s disease.
- Most US Corn is Genetically Modified: simply stated, changing the DNA of a food crop will ultimately change the way the food acts in our bodies. This could destroy the food’s health properties and almost replace what is natural. Interesting that as soon as the studies came out about GMO’s, they were banned in Europe in a week so what does that tell you?
Of course you can make your own at home on a stove with butter or coconut oil but here’s a better alternative that I made last week that is amazing and WORTH the bite:
Yam and Sweet Potato Chips/Jerky:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Slice yams as thinly as possible. Coast with a small amount of olive oil and place on parchment lined baking sheets in a single layer.
Bake for 20-25 minutes, flipping once half way through, until cooked to desired chewiness (which may be like jerky).
Salt to taste when you remove from the oven.
July 7, 2017 @ 5:43 am
Do yams have more or less carbs then popcorn?
July 7, 2017 @ 3:04 pm
They are similar – it’s just yams have much higher nutritional value than popcorn (more phytochemcials like beta-carotene, Vitamin A, etc.)